Good morning, CharterFolk.
Today we are delighted to be sharing with you a Contributor Column from Amanda Aragon, the Executive Director at NewMexicoKidsCAN.
We provide a bio for Amanda below.
Amanda was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM and grew up surrounded by a large and close-knit extended family. Upon graduation from Rio Rancho High School, Amanda left New Mexico to attend the University of Tulsa. There she obtained a degree in international business and Spanish, becoming the first person in her family to graduate from college.
After college, Amanda began a corporate career working as a supply chain coordinator for ConocoPhillips in Houston, TX. After working in Houston, Amanda returned to New Mexico to continue her career with ConocoPhillips as a supply chain lead and eventually as director of stakeholder relations for New Mexico. While working in Farmington, Amanda completed the Leadership New Mexico Connect Program and was named Albuquerque Business First’s top business professional under 30.
After six successful years in the energy sector, Amanda pursued public service as the director of strategic outreach at the New Mexico Public Education Department. Her experience with the New Mexico Public Education Department affirmed her passion for education and motivated her to engage more stakeholders in working to improve New Mexico’s education system, which led to the development and creation of NewMexicoKidsCAN.
This is Amanda’s second time writing for us here at CharterFolk. For those of you wanting to see her prior post, I encourage you to check out:
Let’s get to Amanda’s latest thinking.
Finding Light in the Shadows: The Impact of Charter Schools on New Mexico’s Education Crisis
In the realm of education reform, there are moments when the weight of the task at hand feels nearly unbearable. Days when progress seems elusive and the pace of change painfully slow. For those of us deeply invested in this work, these moments can be overwhelming, and the stark reality of our challenges is particularly poignant in New Mexico.
Recently, New Mexico was once again ranked 50th out of 50 states …
… in education by the Annie E. Casey Kids COUNT report.
This is the eighth consecutive year we’ve held this heart breaking position.
Eight years.
That’s the majority of a student’s journey through our K-12 education system. When I reflect on what this means for New Mexico’s children, I am deeply troubled. Our 309,000 public school students are brimming with potential, deserving so much more than what they currently receive.
The past six years have been particularly tumultuous for New Mexico’s education system. Just last week, our state witnessed the sudden resignation of its fourth education secretary in five years …
… leaving us uncertain about who will step into the role next, and reeling from constant transition and a lack of direction.
Despite these setbacks, these difficult days also renew my commitment to improving New Mexico’s educational system. They serve as a reminder of why this work is so crucial and prompt me to reflect on the progress we’ve made.
A notable beacon of progress is Albuquerque Public Schools (APS), our state’s largest district. APS has made strides with a new five-year strategic plan, an aligned superintendent and an inaugural State of the District event. This progress is a testament to the relentless dedication of school board president Danielle Gonzales and board member Courtney Jackson. Despite their political differences, these two women have united to forge a new path for a struggling district. Their collaboration in such a polarized political climate is truly inspiring.
While improving a district of 60,000 students is a gradual process, one that cannot instantly provide the lifeboats our students so desperately need, the achievements within our charter sector provide a glimmer of hope. With chaos, turnover, and poor outcomes happening in other public schools all around them, New Mexico’s charter schools have emerged stronger than ever, proving to be a vital lifeline for ever more students and families.
This progress resonates deeply with me on a personal level.
Years ago, my parents moved our family from Albuquerque’s South Valley to the west side of the city, seeking better educational opportunities. Eventually, we settled in Rio Rancho, drawn by the promise of a new and more successful school district. Meanwhile, my cousins in the South Valley remained in underperforming schools. When I launched NewMexicoKidsCAN six years ago …
… I highlighted this disparity—my siblings and I benefited from schools surpassing state averages, while my cousins were stuck with schools showing single-digit proficiency rates. The inequity was glaring then, and it remains a pressing issue now.
So, what has changed?
Charter schools.
Over the past six years, New Mexico’s charter school community has grown significantly, building on a rich history to now serve more than 10% of the state’s public school students. One in ten students now attends a public charter school, and support for continued growth remains strong.
This growth is more than just statistics; it represents hope and opportunity. My cousins, who once faced limited educational choices, now see their children benefiting from a range of high-quality charter schools. And the best news is, they didn’t have to move to gain access to them. They did not have to relocate from the epicenter of hispanic culture in our city, they did not have to venture to the suburbs and experience the identity crises that I did. While remaining in the community that our family has called home for 70+ years, they are able to access a host of educational options for their children that meet their needs and put them on the path to success.
In the six years that have passed since I gave that speech, we’ve witnessed remarkable developments:
… Voz Preparatory …
… and Solare Collegiate …
… have overcome unfair opposition, fought to be authorized and have opened doors in Albuquerque’s South Valley and International District.
Mission Achievement and Success …
… has expanded to serve over 2,000 students across not just one, but two campuses. These schools are not just opening and growing, they are proving what is possible for New Mexico’s students.
Mission Achievement and Success graduates nearly 100% of its students and it is not uncommon for 50% of their graduates to be first generation high school graduates.
I know the pride that comes from that, because while some of my cousins did not graduate high school, I recently attended the graduation party for one of their children. A proud barrier breaker, he broke a two generation history becoming the first in his family line to earn a high school diploma. I still get weepy thinking about it. And while he didn’t attend Mission Achievement and Success, I know their existence has helped remind the families in the South Valley that graduation is possible, for everyone.
Albuquerque Collegiate Charter School opened their doors just down the street from my grandparents house. In a shopping center that used to house the grocery store I went to with my grandma, and across the street from her favorite bingo hall. When I visit ABQ Collegiate (which I love to do on those tough days), I see my cousins and my family in the faces of the students. And when I see the scholars of Albuquerque Collegiate reach reading proficiencies TWICE the state average, I beam with pride and hope.
In our recent annual fundraising campaign at NewMexicoKidsCAN …
… we chose the slogan “Progress is Possible.” Six years into this work, I am profoundly grateful to New Mexico’s 100+ charter schools for leading the way and demonstrating that progress is indeed possible for our students.
In the face of daunting challenges, New Mexico’s charter schools and their leaders provide hope and inspiration for what is possible all while providing a quality option for families today, so no one has to wait for the change we’re desperately trying to create in our larger state systems.