Senator Vernon Asbill on School Reform Legislation

For Immediate Release Wednesday, March 16, 2011 Contact: 505-986-4702
New Mexico Senate Minority Office

SB 427a A-B-C-D-F Schools Rating System
Senator Vernon D. Asbill

Santa Fe- The New Mexico State Senate today passed one of the Governor’s priorities that would grade schools on an A, B,C, D, F scale, making it clearer to parents, students and educators whether their school is failing or excelling was heard in the Senate Education Committee today. SB 427a, sponsored by Senator Vernon Asbill (R-Carlsbad), passed the Senate 23 to 11.

Senator Asbill said the grading system provides clarity. “With the ABC grading system, parents can easily understand whether their child is in a failing school. Once they learn that, they can become more involved in their children’s education and fight for improvements and excellence. Or, they could remove their child from that failing school,” Senator Asbill said.

The bill now goes to the House.