In New Mexico, eighth graders will have to score “near proficient” on New Mexico standards tests and ninth graders will be required to have a 90% attendance record to qualify for a instruction permit from the Motor Vehicle Division. Students who drop out of school before they are 16 will have to wait an extra year to qualify for a license.
The Public Education Department rule, and the related MVD rule, went into effect on December 13, 2009, and will affect students who apply for their driving permits on or after September 1, 2011. This includes students who are currently in 8th grade.
The rules are part of a statewide educational initiative that Governor Bill Richardson and Department of Education Secretary Dr. Veronica Garcia announced on April 24, 2008 at Sandia High School. During his speech Richardson said, “These new initiatives are a creative way for us to continue improving graduation rates.”
Critics Say the Rule Will Hurt Minority Students and Families Who are Struggling Financially
A presentation given by Garcia on September 10, 2009 titled, “Graduate New Mexico! It’s Everybody’s Business,” confirmed that minorities and economically disadvantaged students are more likely to underperform on standardized tests.
8th grade proficiency tests reveal a significant gap in test scores between students of different races: a 23% gap in math scores and a 21% gap in reading scores between white students and Hispanic and African American students and a 29% gap in math scores and a 32% gap in reading scores between white students and Native American students.
“It’s not so much what race they are than their economic situation,” said Lewis Johnson, Principal of Espanola Middle School West, in a phone interview last March. “Most of our Hispanic kids are from low income families. If parents are working two jobs and aren’t there to make sure the kids get their work done after school, the kids won’t do well on the tests.”
PED Hopes Rule Will Motivate Kids
Garcia said, “Unless we can get them to achieve, they have bigger problems than not getting their driver’s license.” After the 6-12 month delay, students can reapply for their permits or licenses.
The PED and MVD aren’t saying that bad students will make bad drivers. Instead, they’re trying to use the privilege of driving to motivate kids to stay in school, especially during 8th and ninth grade, when some students first develop a habit of skipping class.
