April 26, 2008
Albuquerque Journal
Governor Puts Education Right in the Drivers Seat (Editorial)
There are few things more exciting to teens and pre-teens than the prospect of driving. There are few things more troubling to adults than the prospect of a bunch of kids who can't read or write, add or subtract.
Gov. Bill Richardson has decided to attack the latter by tying it to the former. Student proficiency will be the point where the rubber meets the road for first-time drivers in New Mexico.
Starting this fall under Richardson's education initiative, new drivers must have at least “near-proficient” scores on math and reading tests and a decent attendance — at least 90 percent — to be eligible for a driver's license. Miss one requirement and that license is on hold for six months; miss both and keep walking, skateboarding, biking or being chauffeured for another year.
Critics — especially young ones — may say it's not fair, that one thing has nothing to do with the other. But it's clear something has to be done about the sorry state of student performance in our state. In 2005, about 29 percent of Hispanic, 35 percent of Native American, 31 percent of African-American and 13 percent of Anglo eighth-graders weren't even “near proficiency” in math. Chances are having their driver's license hinge on showing up and trying will get them a little more revved up about school.
And Albuquerque Academy freshman Ian O'Donoghue, 15, is right to say driving “really is a privilege.” It's also a huge responsibility. Last year 49 people between the ages of 13 and 19 died in wrecks here. Those who aren't ready to show up at school for at least 162 of the 180 days and do the work probably aren't ready to be behind the wheel of a two-ton killing machine going at least 65 mph through the Big I.
The license link is one piece of the puzzle. Richardson's other proposals also hold promise: establishing an in-residence program for education experts from Asia and the Pacific Rim to improve math and science teaching here, offering classes for parents on helping their kids do well in school, setting up a databank so math and science teachers can see how their peers teach key concepts, and having 12 exemplary teachers help develop education policies and practices.
Richardson says, “This is our effort to improve our education achievement in the state.”
And unlike myriad education reforms in the past, this one has a real driving force behind it.