WEBVTT - This file was automatically generated by VIMEO 0 00:00:03.935 --> 00:00:08.505 Welcome to another session of weaving colors, autism 1 00:00:08.805 --> 00:00:10.345 and indigenous community. 2 00:00:10.845 --> 00:00:12.785 We are glad that all of you have made it here 3 00:00:12.785 --> 00:00:16.865 to join us today for this very informative presentation 4 00:00:16.865 --> 00:00:17.945 that we have coming up. 5 00:00:20.175 --> 00:00:22.445 First, we would like to take a moment to 6 00:00:23.125 --> 00:00:25.125 recognize the indigenous peoples land 7 00:00:25.125 --> 00:00:26.525 and territory acknowledgement. 8 00:00:26.975 --> 00:00:30.705 Founded in 1889, the University of New Mexico 9 00:00:31.255 --> 00:00:34.865 sits on the traditional homelands of the Pueblo of Sandia, 10 00:00:35.505 --> 00:00:38.805 the original peoples of New Mexico, Pueblo, Navajo, 11 00:00:39.145 --> 00:00:43.605 and Apache, since time in Memorial, have deep connections 12 00:00:43.625 --> 00:00:46.645 to the land and have made significant contributions 13 00:00:46.665 --> 00:00:47.965 to the broader community. 14 00:00:47.995 --> 00:00:50.645 Statewide, we honor the land itself 15 00:00:50.785 --> 00:00:52.285 and also remain stewards 16 00:00:52.285 --> 00:00:54.645 of this land throughout the generations, 17 00:00:54.945 --> 00:00:57.405 and also acknowledge our committed relationship 18 00:00:57.465 --> 00:00:59.045 to indigenous peoples. 19 00:00:59.425 --> 00:01:02.045 We gratefully recognize our history. 20 00:01:04.305 --> 00:01:07.705 A message from the U-N-M-C-D-D weaving colors is a 21 00:01:07.705 --> 00:01:11.625 presentation series for indigenous families dedicated 22 00:01:11.765 --> 00:01:14.625 to discussing important topics, strategies, 23 00:01:14.925 --> 00:01:17.825 and practices regarding autism spectrum disorder 24 00:01:18.565 --> 00:01:22.105 and how they are viewed and addressed within the culture. 25 00:01:22.845 --> 00:01:26.025 We are proud to be able to offer a variety of presentations 26 00:01:26.325 --> 00:01:29.025 and perspectives from various organizations 27 00:01:29.205 --> 00:01:31.105 and professionals across New Mexico. 28 00:01:33.795 --> 00:01:36.175 Please note that this is a safe 29 00:01:36.175 --> 00:01:38.295 and welcoming environment free of judgment. 30 00:01:39.065 --> 00:01:41.935 We've got a lot of various different people 31 00:01:42.035 --> 00:01:43.855 who have signed up for this presentation. 32 00:01:44.435 --> 00:01:45.535 We might hear thoughts 33 00:01:45.535 --> 00:01:47.135 and views from family members, 34 00:01:47.345 --> 00:01:48.815 caregivers, and professionals. 35 00:01:50.375 --> 00:01:52.625 This session is presented in meeting format, 36 00:01:52.925 --> 00:01:55.025 so please be mindful to mute your microphone 37 00:01:55.025 --> 00:01:56.025 during the presentation. 38 00:01:57.265 --> 00:02:00.205 The chat feature may be used to contact the host and 39 00:02:00.205 --> 00:02:01.285 or submit questions 40 00:02:01.385 --> 00:02:04.445 and comments to the presenters during the q 41 00:02:04.445 --> 00:02:06.485 and a portion at the end of the presentation. 42 00:02:08.215 --> 00:02:10.315 Please note that as a reminder, 43 00:02:10.505 --> 00:02:12.235 this session will be recorded. 44 00:02:14.715 --> 00:02:16.715 I would like for you all to take note 45 00:02:16.735 --> 00:02:18.355 of the two icons on the screen. 46 00:02:18.735 --> 00:02:20.795 The first is for closed captioning. 47 00:02:21.215 --> 00:02:23.395 It is available for this presentation. 48 00:02:23.695 --> 00:02:25.795 You simply select the icon 49 00:02:26.015 --> 00:02:29.795 and choose show subtitles to turn on and off. 50 00:02:30.885 --> 00:02:33.325 A SL interpretation is also available 51 00:02:33.945 --> 00:02:35.845 if you require technical assistance. 52 00:02:36.145 --> 00:02:40.685 You can reach out to HSC dash CDD 53 00:02:41.625 --> 00:02:45.445 ts salute.dot edu 54 00:02:47.205 --> 00:02:50.145 to register for future weaving colors presentations, 55 00:02:50.485 --> 00:02:52.705 or to view past presentations. 56 00:02:53.245 --> 00:02:56.385 You can grab the QR code on your screen, 57 00:02:56.805 --> 00:02:58.865 or you can visit the autism portal 58 00:02:59.585 --> 00:03:01.645 in the indigenous resources tabs. 59 00:03:02.955 --> 00:03:05.535 The autism family and provider resource team is here 60 00:03:05.535 --> 00:03:08.335 to help families and providers statewide within 61 00:03:08.595 --> 00:03:09.735 all tribal lands. 62 00:03:09.875 --> 00:03:11.855 If you need some assistance, 63 00:03:11.875 --> 00:03:16.255 you may give us a call at (505) 272-1852, 64 00:03:16.915 --> 00:03:20.375 or you can absolutely email us at hsc 65 00:03:21.235 --> 00:03:25.255 autism programs salud.un.edu. 66 00:03:28.235 --> 00:03:30.895 We will be sending out links for the survey. 67 00:03:31.045 --> 00:03:33.895 They will be posted in the chat and sent via email. 68 00:03:34.475 --> 00:03:36.655 We do welcome your input and questions 69 00:03:36.955 --> 00:03:39.775 and your thoughts on future presentations 70 00:03:40.075 --> 00:03:41.415 for weaving colors. 71 00:03:44.785 --> 00:03:47.305 I would also like for you all to take notice of 72 00:03:48.335 --> 00:03:49.585 another training program 73 00:03:49.655 --> 00:03:51.945 that is offered here at the U-N-M-C-D-D. 74 00:03:52.365 --> 00:03:56.305 It is a dual language program, um, entitled ELOs. 75 00:03:56.645 --> 00:03:59.705 It is a training program that's offered for 76 00:04:00.705 --> 00:04:02.905 families whose first language is Spanish, 77 00:04:03.325 --> 00:04:05.665 or our Spanish speaking families, excuse me. 78 00:04:06.745 --> 00:04:09.245 And again, like I said, it is a dual language program, 79 00:04:09.545 --> 00:04:11.725 so participants are able to toggle 80 00:04:11.725 --> 00:04:13.685 between English and Spanish. 81 00:04:14.425 --> 00:04:17.165 So we hope that you all sign up and attends as well. 82 00:04:19.705 --> 00:04:23.565 So it is my honor to welcome Elisa deal, 83 00:04:23.905 --> 00:04:25.645 senior Education attorney 84 00:04:25.825 --> 00:04:28.485 for the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty. 85 00:04:29.105 --> 00:04:31.725 And she also was the member of the legal team 86 00:04:32.105 --> 00:04:35.325 for the Yazi Plaintiffs in the Yazi Martinez 87 00:04:35.385 --> 00:04:36.805 versus the State of New Mexico. 88 00:04:37.985 --> 00:04:40.335 Elisa will provide a overview 89 00:04:40.355 --> 00:04:43.055 of the New Mexico Yazzie Martinez legal case. 90 00:04:43.635 --> 00:04:44.775 She will also talk about 91 00:04:44.795 --> 00:04:49.135 how advocacy can play a crucial role in creating progress 92 00:04:49.355 --> 00:04:51.655 and sys systematic change. 93 00:04:52.985 --> 00:04:55.495 Thank you all for being here, and I will, and here 94 00:04:55.495 --> 00:04:56.615 and turn it over to Lisa. 95 00:04:59.225 --> 00:05:01.215 Thank you so much, Lynette. 96 00:05:01.395 --> 00:05:04.415 Um, as she said, my name's Elisa deal. 97 00:05:04.875 --> 00:05:07.535 I'm an attorney at the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty. 98 00:05:08.355 --> 00:05:11.295 Um, I just wanna thank Jennifer Lynette and, 99 00:05:11.395 --> 00:05:14.095 and the team at weaving colors for having me here today. 100 00:05:14.675 --> 00:05:15.855 Um, and I really look forward 101 00:05:15.955 --> 00:05:17.615 to hopefully what the conversation. 102 00:05:17.835 --> 00:05:22.015 Um, I'm always honored when given the chance to 103 00:05:22.875 --> 00:05:26.295 be with stakeholders and parents and families 104 00:05:26.315 --> 00:05:30.905 and other advocates in this space, um, to hear, 105 00:05:31.405 --> 00:05:34.505 to hear from you all, um, as Lynette said, 106 00:05:34.505 --> 00:05:37.105 and how that plays into litigation. 107 00:05:38.085 --> 00:05:42.185 So I'm going to, um, go through a PowerPoint slide here. 108 00:05:43.045 --> 00:05:47.265 Um, I do offer if if people have questions as I'm, 109 00:05:47.285 --> 00:05:49.185 as I'm going through, um, you're welcome 110 00:05:49.185 --> 00:05:51.625 to put those in the chat, not I try to keep an eye on it. 111 00:05:52.205 --> 00:05:55.345 Um, if there are questions that are things that I'll, 112 00:05:55.455 --> 00:05:58.645 I'll cover later in the presentation, I I may defer to that, 113 00:05:58.665 --> 00:06:00.285 but there will also be time at the end 114 00:06:00.305 --> 00:06:01.685 for questions and answers. 115 00:06:02.745 --> 00:06:04.605 Um, and also before I get started, I, 116 00:06:04.765 --> 00:06:07.405 I see a very familiar name, um, in, 117 00:06:07.545 --> 00:06:09.245 in the participant list today. 118 00:06:09.245 --> 00:06:11.645 And that's the amazing Willamina Yazi who of course 119 00:06:12.305 --> 00:06:17.085 is the named plaintiff for the, the Yazi plaintiffs in, 120 00:06:17.225 --> 00:06:19.245 uh, the lawsuit that I'm about to talk about. 121 00:06:19.825 --> 00:06:22.205 Uh, a a formidable advocate 122 00:06:22.265 --> 00:06:26.285 and parent who has just been, um, truly an honor 123 00:06:26.305 --> 00:06:28.405 to give presentations much like this 124 00:06:28.425 --> 00:06:29.445 one with her in the past. 125 00:06:29.825 --> 00:06:32.765 So I wanted to recognize her before I got started. 126 00:06:38.315 --> 00:06:38.605 Okay. 127 00:06:47.505 --> 00:06:52.125 All right. So I just wanted 128 00:06:52.125 --> 00:06:55.525 to give an overview of, of the agenda today, um, 129 00:06:55.545 --> 00:06:58.645 and kind of the topics that I plan to cover. 130 00:07:00.285 --> 00:07:03.545 Um, first I'm gonna go over, you know, the duties 131 00:07:03.545 --> 00:07:06.865 of the state to our students, um, here in New Mexico. 132 00:07:08.005 --> 00:07:11.425 Uh, I'm gonna talk about the findings that, um, 133 00:07:11.525 --> 00:07:14.665 the judge made in the Yai Martinez lawsuit. 134 00:07:15.735 --> 00:07:17.265 I'll give kind of a overview 135 00:07:17.285 --> 00:07:20.585 of what's happened since 2018 when there was a ruling from 136 00:07:20.585 --> 00:07:23.625 the court, um, until now. 137 00:07:24.125 --> 00:07:26.465 And then, kind of most importantly, in my opinion, 138 00:07:26.565 --> 00:07:31.465 on really the grassroots, uh, efforts to, um, advocate 139 00:07:31.465 --> 00:07:34.705 for systemic change and really hold the state accountable. 140 00:07:40.005 --> 00:07:41.875 Right? One second here. 141 00:07:45.375 --> 00:07:48.155 So, lawyers are really taught that 142 00:07:49.015 --> 00:07:51.035 the law itself produces justice. 143 00:07:51.855 --> 00:07:52.915 And we're taught to think 144 00:07:52.915 --> 00:07:57.355 that social change flows from the law, like winning lawsuits 145 00:07:57.375 --> 00:07:59.915 or changing, changing, uh, policies. 146 00:08:00.335 --> 00:08:02.435 But really, of course, history shows 147 00:08:02.945 --> 00:08:06.595 that movements have organized people who have always been, 148 00:08:07.065 --> 00:08:09.475 have always been the engine of social change. 149 00:08:10.255 --> 00:08:14.995 Um, the people who are most impacted by issues are the best 150 00:08:15.015 --> 00:08:17.395 and strongest advocates, um, to, 151 00:08:17.575 --> 00:08:19.635 to the solutions for those issues. 152 00:08:20.695 --> 00:08:25.315 And so, while I strongly believe that a, a, the lawsuit, uh, 153 00:08:25.395 --> 00:08:28.275 the Azi Martinez case is hugely important 154 00:08:29.015 --> 00:08:31.115 in creating an equitable education. 155 00:08:31.705 --> 00:08:32.795 It's really just one 156 00:08:32.895 --> 00:08:35.675 of many tools in creating systemic change. 157 00:08:41.475 --> 00:08:44.575 So the New Mexico Center on Non Poverty is a nonprofit, 158 00:08:45.075 --> 00:08:49.415 and we work to advance systemic changes in laws, programs, 159 00:08:49.435 --> 00:08:52.015 and policies that promote economic, 160 00:08:52.075 --> 00:08:53.855 racial, and social justice. 161 00:08:54.885 --> 00:08:58.085 And our mission is to do this through empowering 162 00:08:58.105 --> 00:09:00.845 and engaging with communities in a meaningful 163 00:09:00.845 --> 00:09:01.845 and authentic way. 164 00:09:02.305 --> 00:09:06.245 So that issues, uh, that we take on are really those 165 00:09:06.765 --> 00:09:09.925 identified by the impacted individuals and communities. 166 00:09:10.115 --> 00:09:14.685 Instead of deciding on an agenda on our own, we also do this 167 00:09:14.685 --> 00:09:17.405 through litigation, through filing lawsuits 168 00:09:17.785 --> 00:09:19.445 and through policy advocacy. 169 00:09:22.895 --> 00:09:25.955 So the Yazi case is really rooted in these two basic 170 00:09:26.315 --> 00:09:27.755 strengths of new Mexicans. 171 00:09:28.325 --> 00:09:31.235 First, our children that are, uh, 172 00:09:31.235 --> 00:09:33.395 new Mexico's students are culturally 173 00:09:33.535 --> 00:09:35.075 and linguistically gifted 174 00:09:35.415 --> 00:09:37.795 and have just as much ability to learn 175 00:09:37.855 --> 00:09:40.595 and achieve at high levels as students anywhere. 176 00:09:41.575 --> 00:09:44.355 And second, that our educational expertise 177 00:09:44.855 --> 00:09:48.115 and knowledge that lies within our state really, uh, 178 00:09:48.275 --> 00:09:49.835 contains the solutions that, 179 00:09:49.945 --> 00:09:51.635 that our children need to succeed. 180 00:09:52.055 --> 00:09:54.995 And we have the experts to do that right here in New Mexico. 181 00:09:58.785 --> 00:10:00.645 But as we probably all know, 182 00:10:00.825 --> 00:10:03.165 our education system is in crisis. 183 00:10:04.415 --> 00:10:06.065 There's a lack of resources 184 00:10:06.085 --> 00:10:09.585 and funding, um, that isn't targeted to the students 185 00:10:09.645 --> 00:10:12.225 who are, uh, really entitled to it 186 00:10:12.605 --> 00:10:15.185 and, uh, and need it most. 187 00:10:16.245 --> 00:10:17.705 We know that the state has not 188 00:10:18.145 --> 00:10:21.185 provided a multicultural framework or the programs 189 00:10:21.185 --> 00:10:23.465 and services that students need to succeed. 190 00:10:25.145 --> 00:10:27.965 And while students diverse cultures, heritages 191 00:10:28.145 --> 00:10:30.005 and languages should really be honored 192 00:10:30.005 --> 00:10:34.205 and embraced as the assets that they are, they are in fact, 193 00:10:34.205 --> 00:10:36.565 routinely ignored within the education system. 194 00:10:37.185 --> 00:10:40.245 And of course, this is a, a system that has historically 195 00:10:40.345 --> 00:10:42.965 and systemically discriminated against children of color 196 00:10:44.035 --> 00:10:45.845 because of the state's failures. 197 00:10:46.265 --> 00:10:49.885 Not only do these inequities and insufficiencies remain, 198 00:10:51.075 --> 00:10:54.975 but New Mexico ranks the lowest in the country for many 199 00:10:55.195 --> 00:10:58.175 of the metrics used to measure student outcomes, 200 00:10:58.325 --> 00:11:00.495 proficiency rates, graduation rates, 201 00:11:00.795 --> 00:11:02.695 and college remediation rates. 202 00:11:04.935 --> 00:11:07.835 But the basis of the lawsuit is that the state of New Mexico 203 00:11:08.575 --> 00:11:11.595 has an obligation to provide a sufficient 204 00:11:11.695 --> 00:11:15.635 and uniform education to all students in public schools. 205 00:11:16.095 --> 00:11:17.835 So it is a constitutional right. 206 00:11:21.725 --> 00:11:24.985 New Mexico also has some of the strongest laws, uh, 207 00:11:25.005 --> 00:11:26.385 in the country when it comes 208 00:11:26.445 --> 00:11:28.505 to educating our diverse students. 209 00:11:29.085 --> 00:11:31.465 So I've listed some of them here, um, as well 210 00:11:31.465 --> 00:11:35.065 as a federal law that applies to the students 211 00:11:35.085 --> 00:11:36.385 who are at the heart of this case. 212 00:11:37.325 --> 00:11:40.105 Um, and really they're all rooted in equity 213 00:11:40.565 --> 00:11:44.105 and help define what a sufficient education is in New Mexico 214 00:11:44.525 --> 00:11:45.665 for certain student groups. 215 00:11:46.685 --> 00:11:49.945 And by doing that, these laws create additional rights 216 00:11:50.565 --> 00:11:52.985 for those students in public schools. 217 00:11:57.895 --> 00:12:01.475 So I'm just gonna, um, touch on one of these 218 00:12:01.575 --> 00:12:03.515 and I'm happy to talk more about the others 219 00:12:03.515 --> 00:12:04.515 that people are interested. 220 00:12:04.695 --> 00:12:06.715 Um, I just don't wanna bore you right after lunch. 221 00:12:07.215 --> 00:12:09.635 Um, so in the Public School code, 222 00:12:10.055 --> 00:12:13.235 the legislature adopted the specific standard of education 223 00:12:13.895 --> 00:12:16.275 that's to be grounded in multicultural 224 00:12:16.295 --> 00:12:19.795 and multilingual education, uh, to meet the needs 225 00:12:19.795 --> 00:12:21.515 of our di diverse student body. 226 00:12:22.545 --> 00:12:24.915 This law also acknowledges that the key 227 00:12:24.915 --> 00:12:28.235 to student success is to have a multicultural education 228 00:12:28.455 --> 00:12:31.035 and a high quality diverse teacher workforce 229 00:12:31.735 --> 00:12:34.915 to educate New Mexico's multicultural students. 230 00:12:38.975 --> 00:12:42.915 So, just as the recap as kind of the, the framework for how, 231 00:12:43.375 --> 00:12:47.475 um, how this lawsuit began, starting from, uh, 232 00:12:47.695 --> 00:12:50.155 the state's oblig constitutional obligation 233 00:12:50.175 --> 00:12:54.075 to provide a sufficient education, the court looked to a lot 234 00:12:54.075 --> 00:12:58.195 of different measures of what sufficiency is, uh, that I've, 235 00:12:58.195 --> 00:13:01.955 I've briefly mentioned, um, our own state laws, um, 236 00:13:02.145 --> 00:13:04.435 that again, are rooted in equity and over 237 00:13:04.455 --> 00:13:06.755 and over again, uh, acknowledge 238 00:13:07.055 --> 00:13:11.745 and center, um, the necessity of a multicultural 239 00:13:11.745 --> 00:13:16.105 and multilingual system and that diverse, uh, workforce. 240 00:13:18.485 --> 00:13:19.945 And I'll touch on this again 241 00:13:19.995 --> 00:13:22.905 after I talk about the case in a little bit more detail. 242 00:13:23.005 --> 00:13:26.705 But I think it's important to say here that the court 243 00:13:27.225 --> 00:13:29.905 actually said that the the state has not fully funded 244 00:13:30.045 --> 00:13:32.465 or implemented these crucial laws. 245 00:13:33.405 --> 00:13:34.745 And by doing that, 246 00:13:35.255 --> 00:13:37.505 they have also violated the constitutional 247 00:13:37.505 --> 00:13:39.945 rights of our students. 248 00:13:41.165 --> 00:13:43.945 And the other important piece about this slide I wanted 249 00:13:43.945 --> 00:13:47.585 to pull out is that the, the court really recognized 250 00:13:47.655 --> 00:13:51.145 that state agencies beyond the public education department, 251 00:13:51.545 --> 00:13:52.665 PED, um, 252 00:13:52.775 --> 00:13:54.985 must be involved in remedying these 253 00:13:55.385 --> 00:13:56.705 constitutional violations. 254 00:13:59.375 --> 00:14:01.035 So it's with this background, 255 00:14:01.675 --> 00:14:03.955 starting from the constitutional obligation 256 00:14:04.015 --> 00:14:05.635 to provide a sufficient education 257 00:14:06.225 --> 00:14:09.835 that the Yazi Martinez case started in 2014. 258 00:14:10.895 --> 00:14:12.715 So the plaintiffs, the, the parties 259 00:14:12.895 --> 00:14:16.475 who started the case were five family members, again, led 260 00:14:16.475 --> 00:14:19.355 by the esteemed Willamina Yazi here on the call today. 261 00:14:20.055 --> 00:14:21.395 And six school districts. 262 00:14:22.425 --> 00:14:25.605 The defendants, the parties who were sued, included, 263 00:14:25.665 --> 00:14:28.805 of course, the state, which is the, um, the governor, 264 00:14:29.185 --> 00:14:31.485 the public education department. 265 00:14:31.945 --> 00:14:34.125 Um, and really it also has implications 266 00:14:34.225 --> 00:14:35.685 for the legislature as well. 267 00:14:37.385 --> 00:14:40.095 There was a two month trial in 2017 268 00:14:41.355 --> 00:14:44.705 where the judge heard from hundreds of witnesses 269 00:14:45.045 --> 00:14:47.545 and reviewed thousands of pieces of evidence. 270 00:14:48.645 --> 00:14:52.045 Um, and a year later, the judge decided in favor 271 00:14:52.065 --> 00:14:54.605 of the plaintiffs and said that the state 272 00:14:54.605 --> 00:14:58.765 of New Mexico is violating the Constitution by failing 273 00:14:58.905 --> 00:15:02.125 to provide a sufficient and uniform public education. 274 00:15:03.905 --> 00:15:06.925 The court said a sufficient education is one 275 00:15:06.925 --> 00:15:09.245 that allows every student the opportunity 276 00:15:09.705 --> 00:15:11.685 to be college or career ready. 277 00:15:13.065 --> 00:15:15.995 This ruling applies to all public school districts 278 00:15:15.995 --> 00:15:17.835 and charter schools throughout the state. 279 00:15:18.815 --> 00:15:23.475 And the PD was directed to make reforms, 280 00:15:24.015 --> 00:15:26.755 um, specific to the students. 281 00:15:26.775 --> 00:15:31.195 At the heart of this lawsuit, the court looked to a lot 282 00:15:31.195 --> 00:15:33.675 of different measures of sufficiency that I mentioned today, 283 00:15:34.015 --> 00:15:38.195 our state laws, um, our workforce, et cetera. 284 00:15:38.775 --> 00:15:41.355 And that, again, the state had violated these laws 285 00:15:41.415 --> 00:15:43.875 by not fully funding them or fully implementing them. 286 00:15:50.755 --> 00:15:54.255 So the, the four student groups that are at the heart 287 00:15:54.255 --> 00:15:56.095 of this lawsuit are the students 288 00:15:56.235 --> 00:15:59.415 who have faced the deepest inequities, um, 289 00:15:59.875 --> 00:16:02.575 native American students, English language learners, 290 00:16:02.995 --> 00:16:07.015 low income students, and, uh, students with disabilities. 291 00:16:08.475 --> 00:16:13.325 And as a side, side piece to that, um, 292 00:16:14.105 --> 00:16:17.845 for Native American students, it's not just the opportunity 293 00:16:17.845 --> 00:16:19.445 to be college or career ready, 294 00:16:20.105 --> 00:16:22.525 but also to be able to serve within various roles 295 00:16:22.525 --> 00:16:24.765 of their tribal communities and tribal governments. 296 00:16:24.785 --> 00:16:28.645 And the court acknowledged that, I 297 00:16:32.555 --> 00:16:34.115 apologize, I think I skipped ahead. 298 00:16:35.375 --> 00:16:38.305 Yes, I did. I'm gonna, um, stick 299 00:16:38.305 --> 00:16:39.425 with this one for just a second. 300 00:16:39.425 --> 00:16:44.165 Apologies. Uh, so let's see here. 301 00:16:52.315 --> 00:16:55.935 So the judge's decision really is, uh, calls 302 00:16:55.995 --> 00:16:57.935 for a comprehensive overhaul 303 00:16:57.935 --> 00:17:01.175 of the education system addressing all of the areas 304 00:17:01.185 --> 00:17:03.375 where the state has failed to do its job. 305 00:17:04.725 --> 00:17:07.825 And the court's decision focuses particularly on the 306 00:17:08.065 --> 00:17:10.145 cultural, linguistic and academic needs 307 00:17:10.205 --> 00:17:12.145 of the students in the four student groups. 308 00:17:14.555 --> 00:17:16.935 So on this first slide, uh, I've tried to kind 309 00:17:16.935 --> 00:17:18.935 of break these down into various bucket areas 310 00:17:19.285 --> 00:17:22.135 because the court's ruling in this, um, 311 00:17:23.155 --> 00:17:25.255 on these pieces is over 600 pages. 312 00:17:25.395 --> 00:17:27.335 And so we could probably have a presentation 313 00:17:27.335 --> 00:17:29.415 that lasts all day for each of these. 314 00:17:29.595 --> 00:17:32.095 So I just wanted to summarize kind of each 315 00:17:32.095 --> 00:17:34.415 of the bucket areas and what the state said. 316 00:17:35.075 --> 00:17:36.455 Um, I'm sorry, 317 00:17:36.455 --> 00:17:38.455 what the judge said the state has failed to do. 318 00:17:39.555 --> 00:17:40.815 So, the court said 319 00:17:40.815 --> 00:17:44.255 that PED has not given school districts a framework to use 320 00:17:44.355 --> 00:17:46.495 to provide a multicultural education. 321 00:17:47.315 --> 00:17:49.685 And the state has not implemented our own laws 322 00:17:49.955 --> 00:17:51.005 that I referenced earlier. 323 00:17:51.265 --> 00:17:53.605 So the New Mexico Indian Education Act, 324 00:17:54.305 --> 00:17:56.925 the Hispanic Education Act, um, 325 00:17:57.425 --> 00:17:59.885 the Bilingual Multicultural Education Act, 326 00:18:00.265 --> 00:18:02.605 and then other laws, uh, state 327 00:18:02.605 --> 00:18:05.765 and federal laws related to, um, students with disabilities. 328 00:18:09.285 --> 00:18:10.905 The court said that programs 329 00:18:10.905 --> 00:18:13.505 and services like full day, pre-kindergarten, 330 00:18:14.385 --> 00:18:16.665 extended learning time, culturally 331 00:18:16.665 --> 00:18:18.545 and linguistically relevant curriculum, 332 00:18:18.775 --> 00:18:20.305 instructional materials 333 00:18:20.485 --> 00:18:24.745 and classroom resources are effective at preparing students 334 00:18:24.765 --> 00:18:26.385 to be college or career ready, 335 00:18:26.925 --> 00:18:27.945 but not available 336 00:18:28.125 --> 00:18:30.185 to all students in the four student groups. 337 00:18:31.125 --> 00:18:32.425 And the court refers to those, 338 00:18:32.805 --> 00:18:34.745 the four student groups as at-risk students. 339 00:18:35.005 --> 00:18:38.755 Um, I prefer to, uh, refer to them 340 00:18:38.855 --> 00:18:40.235 by name if at all possible. 341 00:18:40.495 --> 00:18:43.955 Um, but if you see that term used that is from the, 342 00:18:44.375 --> 00:18:47.075 the court's language in this case. 343 00:18:50.375 --> 00:18:53.635 So the, the court went on at length about, um, 344 00:18:55.035 --> 00:18:59.145 about the deficiencies within the teacher workforce, um, 345 00:18:59.355 --> 00:19:03.265 first acknowledging that really a lot of educators, um, go 346 00:19:03.265 --> 00:19:06.985 to work and, and, and are heroic in their efforts 347 00:19:07.085 --> 00:19:09.745 to educate, um, their students. 348 00:19:10.165 --> 00:19:14.065 Um, but really the, the state is, is responsible for failing 349 00:19:14.245 --> 00:19:17.985 to provide the teacher workforce with the supports 350 00:19:18.165 --> 00:19:21.225 and funding and oversight that it, that 351 00:19:22.705 --> 00:19:24.865 educators really need to be successful in, 352 00:19:25.085 --> 00:19:27.305 in teaching New Mexico students, 353 00:19:29.795 --> 00:19:31.855 the court said that the quality of teaching 354 00:19:31.995 --> 00:19:35.055 for students in the four student groups is inadequate 355 00:19:35.115 --> 00:19:37.335 and not meeting those student students' needs. 356 00:19:38.335 --> 00:19:42.355 The court talked about how, um, there's insufficient funding 357 00:19:42.415 --> 00:19:46.755 for training, both, um, in terms of 358 00:19:46.755 --> 00:19:50.555 how teachers are trained and once they're in the classroom. 359 00:19:51.775 --> 00:19:55.435 The court talked about an overall shortage for teachers, um, 360 00:19:55.615 --> 00:19:59.475 but also particularly in, um, the field of bilingual 361 00:19:59.475 --> 00:20:00.475 and TESOL endorsements. 362 00:20:01.015 --> 00:20:04.155 Um, special education, pre-kindergarten, 363 00:20:04.695 --> 00:20:06.435 and, um, math and science. 364 00:20:07.875 --> 00:20:11.135 The court said that the state really needed, uh, 365 00:20:11.835 --> 00:20:15.255 to have targeted recruitment to increase the diversity 366 00:20:15.635 --> 00:20:16.695 of teachers. 367 00:20:18.235 --> 00:20:21.575 And in order to apply, uh, comply with state law, 368 00:20:21.915 --> 00:20:23.935 the state really needs to have a pipeline 369 00:20:24.115 --> 00:20:26.535 to increase the number of Native American teachers 370 00:20:26.915 --> 00:20:30.095 to sufficiently meet the needs of Native American students. 371 00:20:32.395 --> 00:20:34.155 I think this piece is one of the most important, 372 00:20:34.255 --> 00:20:37.195 but the court acknowledged that teachers who are prepared 373 00:20:37.195 --> 00:20:38.755 to become teachers in New Mexico 374 00:20:39.375 --> 00:20:42.155 are more effective at educating our, our kids. 375 00:20:43.955 --> 00:20:45.315 Teachers require an understanding 376 00:20:45.495 --> 00:20:47.205 and ability to engage with students 377 00:20:47.205 --> 00:20:49.365 of many backgrounds to be effective. 378 00:20:50.825 --> 00:20:54.005 But the state has failed to ensure sustained 379 00:20:54.065 --> 00:20:56.525 and systemic resources for teachers 380 00:20:56.525 --> 00:20:58.565 to have culturally relevant training. 381 00:21:00.145 --> 00:21:05.085 And that there was also a need for training in, um, 382 00:21:05.965 --> 00:21:10.805 teaching English as a second language, so tesol, um, bi, uh, 383 00:21:10.915 --> 00:21:14.485 bilingual teachers, and also a need around literacy. 384 00:21:17.735 --> 00:21:20.915 At the time of the court's decision, only about 2% 385 00:21:21.015 --> 00:21:23.635 of teachers in New Mexico are Native American. 386 00:21:24.255 --> 00:21:27.315 Um, and sadly, that 387 00:21:27.915 --> 00:21:29.915 statistic is only at about 3%. 388 00:21:30.095 --> 00:21:34.435 Now, uh, this many years later, the court talked about 389 00:21:34.455 --> 00:21:36.875 how there aren't enough counselors, social workers, 390 00:21:37.175 --> 00:21:41.195 and other non non-instructional SA staff who also need, need 391 00:21:41.195 --> 00:21:44.075 to meet the culturally and linguistically relevant needs 392 00:21:44.075 --> 00:21:46.075 of our, of, of our students. 393 00:21:47.955 --> 00:21:50.735 The court talked about shortages of professionals, um, 394 00:21:52.035 --> 00:21:53.975 for special education to meet the needs 395 00:21:53.975 --> 00:21:55.295 of students with disabilities. 396 00:21:55.795 --> 00:21:59.855 So, um, teachers who have a special education endorsement, 397 00:22:00.365 --> 00:22:01.615 educational assistance, 398 00:22:01.955 --> 00:22:05.375 and federal laws related to, um, students with disabilities. 399 00:22:08.635 --> 00:22:10.255 The court said that programs 400 00:22:10.255 --> 00:22:12.895 and services like full day, pre-kindergarten, 401 00:22:13.775 --> 00:22:16.015 extended learning time, culturally 402 00:22:16.015 --> 00:22:17.895 and linguistically relevant curriculum, 403 00:22:18.085 --> 00:22:19.495 instructional materials 404 00:22:19.635 --> 00:22:24.375 and classroom resources are effective at preparing students 405 00:22:24.475 --> 00:22:25.895 to be college or career ready, 406 00:22:26.355 --> 00:22:28.335 but not available to all students 407 00:22:28.435 --> 00:22:29.535 in the four student groups. 408 00:22:30.485 --> 00:22:31.785 And the court refers to those, 409 00:22:32.165 --> 00:22:34.105 the four student groups as at-risk students. 410 00:22:34.365 --> 00:22:38.065 Um, I prefer to, uh, refer to them 411 00:22:38.165 --> 00:22:39.385 by name if at all possible. 412 00:22:39.645 --> 00:22:43.785 Um, but if you see that term used that is from the, 413 00:22:44.045 --> 00:22:46.465 the court's language in this case. 414 00:22:49.785 --> 00:22:53.005 So the, the court went on at length about, um, 415 00:22:54.405 --> 00:22:58.475 about the deficiencies within the teacher workforce, um, 416 00:22:58.605 --> 00:23:02.675 first acknowledging that really a lot of educators, um, go 417 00:23:02.675 --> 00:23:03.835 to work and, and, 418 00:23:04.455 --> 00:23:07.155 and are heroic in their efforts to educate, 419 00:23:08.015 --> 00:23:09.115 um, their students. 420 00:23:09.495 --> 00:23:13.435 Um, but really the, the state is, is responsible for failing 421 00:23:13.615 --> 00:23:17.315 to provide the teacher workforce with the supports 422 00:23:17.455 --> 00:23:20.475 and funding and oversight that it, that 423 00:23:22.115 --> 00:23:24.435 educators really need to be successful in, 424 00:23:24.735 --> 00:23:26.675 in teaching New Mexico students, 425 00:23:29.135 --> 00:23:31.235 the court said that the quality of teaching 426 00:23:31.375 --> 00:23:34.435 for students in the four student groups is inadequate 427 00:23:34.455 --> 00:23:36.675 and not meeting those student students' needs. 428 00:23:37.585 --> 00:23:41.765 The court talked about how, um, there's insufficient funding 429 00:23:42.185 --> 00:23:46.085 for training, both, um, in terms of 430 00:23:46.105 --> 00:23:49.925 how teachers are trained and once they're in the classroom. 431 00:23:51.145 --> 00:23:54.805 The court talked about an overall shortage for teachers, um, 432 00:23:54.945 --> 00:23:58.805 but also particularly in, um, the field of bilingual 433 00:23:58.805 --> 00:23:59.805 and TESL endorsements. 434 00:24:00.385 --> 00:24:03.525 Um, special education, pre-kindergarten, 435 00:24:04.025 --> 00:24:05.805 and, um, math and science. 436 00:24:07.255 --> 00:24:10.515 The court said that the state really needed, uh, 437 00:24:11.215 --> 00:24:14.595 to have targeted recruitment to increase the diversity 438 00:24:14.975 --> 00:24:16.075 of teachers. 439 00:24:17.575 --> 00:24:20.995 And in order to apply, uh, comply with state law, 440 00:24:21.335 --> 00:24:23.355 the state really needs to have a pipeline 441 00:24:23.535 --> 00:24:25.915 to increase the number of Native American teachers 442 00:24:26.295 --> 00:24:29.475 to sufficiently meet the needs of Native American students. 443 00:24:31.755 --> 00:24:33.515 I think this piece is one of the most important, 444 00:24:33.615 --> 00:24:36.555 but the court acknowledged that teachers who are prepared 445 00:24:36.555 --> 00:24:37.995 to become teachers in New Mexico 446 00:24:38.655 --> 00:24:41.875 are more effective at educating our, our kids. 447 00:24:43.315 --> 00:24:44.675 Teachers require an understanding 448 00:24:44.855 --> 00:24:46.515 and ability to engage with students 449 00:24:46.535 --> 00:24:48.715 of many backgrounds to be effective. 450 00:24:50.215 --> 00:24:53.355 But the state has failed to ensure sustained 451 00:24:53.415 --> 00:24:55.835 and systemic resources for teachers 452 00:24:55.835 --> 00:24:57.715 to have culturally relevant training. 453 00:24:59.415 --> 00:25:03.705 And that there was also a need for training in, 454 00:25:04.285 --> 00:25:06.785 um, teaching English as a second language. 455 00:25:06.965 --> 00:25:11.345 So tesol, um, bi, uh, bilingual teachers, 456 00:25:11.765 --> 00:25:13.865 and also a need around literacy. 457 00:25:17.015 --> 00:25:19.995 At the time of the court's decision, only about 2% 458 00:25:20.135 --> 00:25:23.275 of teachers in New Mexico are Native American. 459 00:25:23.975 --> 00:25:26.595 Um, and sadly, that 460 00:25:27.275 --> 00:25:29.315 statistic is only at about 3%. 461 00:25:29.455 --> 00:25:33.795 Now, uh, this many years later, the court talked about 462 00:25:33.815 --> 00:25:36.075 how there aren't enough counselors, social workers, 463 00:25:36.335 --> 00:25:40.155 and other non non-instructional staff, staff who also need, 464 00:25:40.305 --> 00:25:41.595 need to meet the culturally 465 00:25:41.615 --> 00:25:43.915 and linguistically relevant needs of our, 466 00:25:44.295 --> 00:25:45.395 of, of our students. 467 00:25:47.285 --> 00:25:50.065 The court talked about shortages of professionals, um, 468 00:25:51.405 --> 00:25:53.265 for special education to meet the needs 469 00:25:53.265 --> 00:25:54.545 of students with disabilities. 470 00:25:55.005 --> 00:25:59.385 So, um, teachers who have a special education endorsement, 471 00:25:59.935 --> 00:26:01.225 educational assistance, 472 00:26:01.605 --> 00:26:05.065 and then related service providers like therapists, speech, 473 00:26:05.355 --> 00:26:07.385 occupation, occupational, et cetera. 474 00:26:08.325 --> 00:26:10.385 And then the need for professional development 475 00:26:10.385 --> 00:26:13.825 and training in this area for all other educators, um, 476 00:26:13.845 --> 00:26:16.785 who aren't, uh, specialized in the way I just 477 00:26:16.785 --> 00:26:21.785 mentioned, so all 478 00:26:22.245 --> 00:26:25.185 But the court said, especially those fe facing the deepest 479 00:26:25.185 --> 00:26:27.745 inequities need these services to succeed. 480 00:26:27.745 --> 00:26:30.185 They have a right to them, but they're not available 481 00:26:30.245 --> 00:26:32.305 to all students in the four student groups. 482 00:26:33.485 --> 00:26:35.905 The court said that the state knows that with access 483 00:26:35.905 --> 00:26:37.625 to these services, um, 484 00:26:40.475 --> 00:26:42.835 students experienced increased stability, 485 00:26:43.235 --> 00:26:47.965 reduced disciplinary issues, uh, a better ability to attend, 486 00:26:48.305 --> 00:26:50.045 uh, to attend school, 487 00:26:50.545 --> 00:26:53.685 and to re-engage with, with, uh, their classroom. 488 00:26:54.425 --> 00:26:56.085 And then, of course, because of those things, 489 00:26:56.085 --> 00:26:59.085 increased academic achievement, higher graduation rates. 490 00:26:59.505 --> 00:27:02.165 And these all also need to be culturally appropriate 491 00:27:02.625 --> 00:27:05.045 to effectively meet, meet the needs of our students. 492 00:27:06.425 --> 00:27:09.755 However, services, like all the ones I just listed, 493 00:27:10.175 --> 00:27:14.555 are usually, um, fragmented, understaffed, 494 00:27:14.555 --> 00:27:16.635 and underfunded if they're available at all. 495 00:27:18.675 --> 00:27:21.195 The court said 496 00:27:21.265 --> 00:27:23.715 that overall funding is inadequate, 497 00:27:24.295 --> 00:27:26.115 and it's not targeted to the 498 00:27:26.635 --> 00:27:28.035 students in the four student groups. 499 00:27:28.655 --> 00:27:31.755 And then really importantly, the court said that lack 500 00:27:31.755 --> 00:27:33.595 of funding is simply not an excuse 501 00:27:33.855 --> 00:27:36.795 to violate this constitutional right of our students. 502 00:27:37.175 --> 00:27:40.835 And so if the state did not have the funding 503 00:27:40.975 --> 00:27:44.195 to support what's needed, the court listed several ways 504 00:27:44.345 --> 00:27:48.675 that the state could raise that revenue, essentially, um, 505 00:27:48.975 --> 00:27:50.595 but left it up to the legislature 506 00:27:50.595 --> 00:27:51.915 to decide how that would happen. 507 00:27:55.315 --> 00:27:58.775 And then finally, um, the court talked about accountability 508 00:27:59.315 --> 00:28:01.935 and the state's role in making sure 509 00:28:02.445 --> 00:28:04.495 that funding is spent on programs 510 00:28:04.495 --> 00:28:07.255 and services that actually improve the outcomes 511 00:28:07.635 --> 00:28:10.095 for the students, um, in the four student groups, 512 00:28:10.395 --> 00:28:12.135 but that the state has not done this. 513 00:28:15.255 --> 00:28:18.235 So, I apologize, there are a lot of words on this page, uh, 514 00:28:18.295 --> 00:28:21.595 and I hope you don't need to sit and read it, 515 00:28:21.595 --> 00:28:23.515 but can refer to it later if you're interested. 516 00:28:23.815 --> 00:28:26.435 But I really just wanted to show kind of a summary 517 00:28:26.615 --> 00:28:29.275 of findings related to students with disabilities. 518 00:28:29.855 --> 00:28:32.235 And there are of course, similar themes to 519 00:28:32.235 --> 00:28:33.635 what I've already talked about today. 520 00:28:34.535 --> 00:28:38.835 Uh, insufficient funding, um, poor monitoring 521 00:28:39.015 --> 00:28:42.235 or tracking data, I will say until very recently, 522 00:28:42.305 --> 00:28:45.315 even getting the amount of funding that was going 523 00:28:45.335 --> 00:28:48.035 to school districts for special education was 524 00:28:49.105 --> 00:28:50.955 practically impossible, right? 525 00:28:51.095 --> 00:28:53.315 So that seems to be a basic starting point. 526 00:28:54.135 --> 00:28:57.635 The court talked about the shortages of special education 527 00:28:58.195 --> 00:29:00.275 teachers and instructional support providers. 528 00:29:00.335 --> 00:29:03.555 As I mentioned, the court talked about the insufficient 529 00:29:03.755 --> 00:29:07.355 training and professional development for those, those, um, 530 00:29:07.545 --> 00:29:08.715 members of the workforce, 531 00:29:08.935 --> 00:29:11.195 but also for the workforce as a whole. 532 00:29:12.895 --> 00:29:17.275 The court talked about huge delays and failures to evaluate 533 00:29:17.375 --> 00:29:19.475 and identify students with disabilities, 534 00:29:20.375 --> 00:29:23.515 and finally, inadequate curriculum access 535 00:29:23.515 --> 00:29:25.515 to technology, et cetera. 536 00:29:28.515 --> 00:29:31.775 So, as you can see, the court's findings were really com 537 00:29:31.775 --> 00:29:35.015 comprehensive and cover the entire system as a whole. 538 00:29:35.635 --> 00:29:40.615 And so until that's, that's addressed, any kind of, um, 539 00:29:40.865 --> 00:29:45.525 effort to address one piece of, of the system isn't going 540 00:29:45.625 --> 00:29:49.085 to succeed in the transformation 541 00:29:49.385 --> 00:29:52.645 of the educational system that the court really calls for. 542 00:29:55.215 --> 00:29:56.995 So here's a, a timeline of kind 543 00:29:56.995 --> 00:29:59.955 of what's happened since the ruling came out in 2018. 544 00:30:01.335 --> 00:30:04.475 So in the ruling, the court said that the state had 545 00:30:04.475 --> 00:30:05.795 to take immediate steps 546 00:30:06.255 --> 00:30:09.915 by April 15th, 2019 to fix the system. 547 00:30:10.815 --> 00:30:11.875 Um, and this meant 548 00:30:11.875 --> 00:30:14.475 to ensure schools have the resources necessary 549 00:30:14.935 --> 00:30:17.515 to give students in the four student groups the chance 550 00:30:17.535 --> 00:30:19.315 to be ready for college or career. 551 00:30:21.135 --> 00:30:22.755 So after more than a year 552 00:30:22.935 --> 00:30:26.955 of an insufficient response from the state, um, an attempt 553 00:30:27.135 --> 00:30:31.115 by, uh, lawyers on all sides to sit down 554 00:30:31.175 --> 00:30:32.435 and collaborate, um, 555 00:30:32.695 --> 00:30:35.315 and develop a plan as to how the state was going 556 00:30:35.315 --> 00:30:38.675 to really meet this monumental task, um, 557 00:30:38.885 --> 00:30:41.035 those discussion discussions ended. 558 00:30:41.495 --> 00:30:45.755 And the yazi plaintiffs went back to court in October 559 00:30:45.775 --> 00:30:50.195 of 2019, asking that the state be required to do more. 560 00:30:50.895 --> 00:30:54.315 And we asked that the judge order the state to come up 561 00:30:54.315 --> 00:30:57.355 with a comprehensive plan of how it was going 562 00:30:57.355 --> 00:30:58.875 to carry out the court's order. 563 00:31:00.325 --> 00:31:02.945 And it's really our view that this is the only way 564 00:31:03.045 --> 00:31:05.265 to achieve the transformation that's needed. 565 00:31:05.925 --> 00:31:09.705 Um, and this plan has to be comprehensive 566 00:31:10.045 --> 00:31:13.945 and include goals, action steps, timelines, 567 00:31:14.495 --> 00:31:18.585 funding amounts, staffing and accountability measures. 568 00:31:19.205 --> 00:31:22.785 Um, it has to identify the responsible entity, right? 569 00:31:22.845 --> 00:31:25.385 Is it the public ed education department? 570 00:31:25.965 --> 00:31:27.625 Is it a higher education department? 571 00:31:28.165 --> 00:31:30.225 Uh, is it a school district, et cetera. 572 00:31:30.845 --> 00:31:34.785 Um, because without those, without those pieces, 573 00:31:35.615 --> 00:31:40.345 then, you know, as I mentioned, even, um, the, 574 00:31:40.655 --> 00:31:44.265 even the, um, the champions in the legislature 575 00:31:44.265 --> 00:31:48.345 who fight really hard for change, um, even advocates, um, 576 00:31:49.575 --> 00:31:52.395 who go and speak on behalf of bills, um, 577 00:31:53.655 --> 00:31:55.755 we will never achieve the full transformation 578 00:31:55.755 --> 00:31:57.475 that's needed piece by piece. 579 00:31:57.735 --> 00:31:59.835 We have to know where we're going, um, 580 00:31:59.895 --> 00:32:03.315 and how we need to get there to fully comply 581 00:32:03.315 --> 00:32:04.755 with the court's order in this case. 582 00:32:05.055 --> 00:32:07.515 And the state's cons, constitutional responsibility. 583 00:32:09.135 --> 00:32:11.395 So that's what the Yazi plaintiffs asked for. 584 00:32:11.855 --> 00:32:16.315 Um, the court said that first it wanted more information 585 00:32:16.505 --> 00:32:18.755 through a legal process called discovery. 586 00:32:19.615 --> 00:32:22.355 So that's a way to gather information, um, 587 00:32:22.925 --> 00:32:25.915 where the plaintiffs got to ask the state, uh, 588 00:32:26.675 --> 00:32:30.155 question written questions that we got to ask for documents. 589 00:32:30.215 --> 00:32:32.635 And we got to conduct interviews under oath, 590 00:32:32.635 --> 00:32:33.835 which are called depositions. 591 00:32:34.775 --> 00:32:38.595 And that process took two years from 2020 until 2022. 592 00:32:40.355 --> 00:32:43.095 In the meantime, the state actually filed 593 00:32:43.155 --> 00:32:47.805 to dismiss the case and said, um, it, 594 00:32:47.865 --> 00:32:49.805 it had done enough and should, should be trusted 595 00:32:49.905 --> 00:32:52.245 to do the rest without the court's involvement. 596 00:32:52.635 --> 00:32:57.205 Luckily, the court said no, that the state wasn't just 597 00:32:57.805 --> 00:33:00.445 required to take immediate steps, 598 00:33:01.105 --> 00:33:04.445 but really implement long-term comprehensive reforms 599 00:33:05.115 --> 00:33:07.005 that improve outcomes for 600 00:33:07.645 --> 00:33:08.805 students in the four student groups. 601 00:33:09.875 --> 00:33:11.415 And until the state did that, 602 00:33:11.955 --> 00:33:13.255 the court was gonna be involved 603 00:33:13.635 --> 00:33:16.735 and, um, helping to hold them accountable 604 00:33:17.075 --> 00:33:18.975 to the court's order. 605 00:33:21.125 --> 00:33:23.585 So in May of 2022, 606 00:33:24.005 --> 00:33:27.385 the PED actually released a draft action plan. 607 00:33:28.125 --> 00:33:30.505 Um, unfortunately it was not the plan 608 00:33:30.575 --> 00:33:32.465 that the plaintiffs had been asking for. 609 00:33:33.565 --> 00:33:36.825 Um, it didn't have a lot of the measures 610 00:33:37.125 --> 00:33:40.385 and aspects that I mentioned in terms of goals, you know, 611 00:33:40.385 --> 00:33:42.665 knowing where we're going short-term 612 00:33:42.665 --> 00:33:47.585 and long-term action steps, a timeline, funding estimates, 613 00:33:48.205 --> 00:33:51.105 and again, going what, back to what the court said, uh, 614 00:33:51.935 --> 00:33:54.505 methods to raise money if there isn't 615 00:33:54.505 --> 00:33:55.665 enough to meet those goals. 616 00:33:56.445 --> 00:33:57.985 Um, increases to staff 617 00:33:58.205 --> 00:34:02.945 and improvements, um, within PED in terms of, of process 618 00:34:03.365 --> 00:34:05.425 and oversight and accountability, 619 00:34:06.565 --> 00:34:07.985 and then how the state would actually 620 00:34:07.985 --> 00:34:09.025 measure any of these things. 621 00:34:09.445 --> 00:34:11.385 So we 622 00:34:11.665 --> 00:34:14.545 provided, um, feedback on PDs plan, 623 00:34:14.765 --> 00:34:17.105 as did several other stakeholders 624 00:34:17.285 --> 00:34:20.185 and advocates throughout the summer of 2022, 625 00:34:21.505 --> 00:34:25.435 unfortunately, um, even though the second version 626 00:34:25.455 --> 00:34:28.635 of a plan was promised in September of 2022, 627 00:34:29.575 --> 00:34:32.715 almost two years later, and we have yet to see anything. 628 00:34:36.635 --> 00:34:40.815 So I guess that kind of comes to where we're at now, 629 00:34:40.945 --> 00:34:43.935 which is, um, you know, looking at all the information 630 00:34:43.935 --> 00:34:48.255 that we have from discovery, looking at, um, the data 631 00:34:48.795 --> 00:34:50.575 on what's happened with funding 632 00:34:50.995 --> 00:34:53.655 and outcomes in the last few years, 633 00:34:54.675 --> 00:34:58.495 and putting that all together for a judge to be able to look 634 00:34:58.795 --> 00:35:01.615 to see what the state has still failed to do 635 00:35:02.395 --> 00:35:04.575 six years since, since the ruling. 636 00:35:09.455 --> 00:35:10.755 All right. So the, the next piece 637 00:35:10.755 --> 00:35:13.515 of this then is the legislative advocacy. 638 00:35:13.855 --> 00:35:17.515 And, um, I'm gonna talk a little bit about the grassroots 639 00:35:17.515 --> 00:35:20.595 efforts to implement the court's ruling, um, 640 00:35:21.725 --> 00:35:25.745 and coalition work to put together frameworks 641 00:35:26.135 --> 00:35:28.545 that would guide the state in fully 642 00:35:28.545 --> 00:35:29.945 implementing the court's order. 643 00:35:36.405 --> 00:35:40.235 So after the court's ruling, um, the plaintiffs, 644 00:35:40.775 --> 00:35:44.835 the legal team for, for the Yazi plaintiffs, um, 645 00:35:45.535 --> 00:35:47.195 the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty 646 00:35:47.895 --> 00:35:52.035 and many others involved, decided it was important for there 647 00:35:52.035 --> 00:35:53.235 to be a framework for 648 00:35:53.235 --> 00:35:55.035 what public education should look like. 649 00:35:55.255 --> 00:35:57.555 That's really based on local expertise. 650 00:35:59.015 --> 00:36:02.715 And so we started holding summits with experts 651 00:36:02.815 --> 00:36:05.435 and stakeholders, which included districts 652 00:36:05.435 --> 00:36:08.675 and families who are part of the case educators, 653 00:36:08.695 --> 00:36:12.355 school administrators, school board members, tribal leaders, 654 00:36:12.355 --> 00:36:17.075 and tribal education departments, community groups, parents 655 00:36:17.215 --> 00:36:19.115 and local experts on education. 656 00:36:20.455 --> 00:36:22.395 So over the course of three large events 657 00:36:22.465 --> 00:36:24.195 that took place in 2018 658 00:36:24.665 --> 00:36:27.315 that brought together more than 300 stakeholders, 659 00:36:28.015 --> 00:36:31.475 an agreement was developed on the actions that the state has 660 00:36:31.475 --> 00:36:34.715 to take to truly transform education in New Mexico. 661 00:36:36.525 --> 00:36:40.265 And so then from these summits, um, a huge amount 662 00:36:40.265 --> 00:36:43.985 of input was given, and the Yazi 663 00:36:44.225 --> 00:36:45.665 proposed platform was created. 664 00:36:46.645 --> 00:36:48.625 And this is some, a resource that is available 665 00:36:48.685 --> 00:36:50.985 and something that, uh, can be viewed online. 666 00:36:51.765 --> 00:36:54.465 But the platform is really a blueprint of 667 00:36:54.465 --> 00:36:58.345 what our communities know works to fix the education system. 668 00:36:59.285 --> 00:37:02.065 And again, it's aligned with the court's findings. 669 00:37:02.065 --> 00:37:05.465 In this case, that big 600 page document, um, 670 00:37:06.555 --> 00:37:09.975 it incorporates volumes of research and local expertise 671 00:37:10.395 --> 00:37:13.535 and experience, and it's, we really see it 672 00:37:13.535 --> 00:37:15.935 as just the minimum of what the state must do 673 00:37:15.955 --> 00:37:18.175 to meet its constitutional obligation. 674 00:37:20.745 --> 00:37:22.775 After the platform was developed, 675 00:37:23.015 --> 00:37:24.535 a coalition was created called 676 00:37:24.975 --> 00:37:26.095 Transform Education New Mexico. 677 00:37:27.115 --> 00:37:30.895 And so it's a coalition of a lot of the same stakeholders 678 00:37:30.995 --> 00:37:32.215 who attended the summits 679 00:37:32.215 --> 00:37:34.095 and who helped put together the platform. 680 00:37:34.875 --> 00:37:37.855 Um, but it includes educators, families, students, 681 00:37:38.315 --> 00:37:40.255 tribal leaders, experts 682 00:37:40.315 --> 00:37:43.135 and community leaders who are working together 683 00:37:43.315 --> 00:37:45.335 to advance a transformative approach 684 00:37:45.335 --> 00:37:46.535 to education in New Mexico. 685 00:37:47.755 --> 00:37:52.095 And this vision embraces the diverse cultures, languages, 686 00:37:52.155 --> 00:37:53.575 and heritages of our students, 687 00:37:54.075 --> 00:37:57.375 and provides for op opportunities for all students 688 00:37:57.435 --> 00:37:58.575 to learn and succeed. 689 00:37:59.155 --> 00:38:02.735 And that's really the vision of, um, transform in, 690 00:38:02.795 --> 00:38:05.135 in their advocacy, transform education, New Mexico. 691 00:38:08.135 --> 00:38:12.515 So they do this through a, uh, a few, a few methods, 692 00:38:13.895 --> 00:38:16.575 building a broad consensus on the platform, so talking 693 00:38:16.575 --> 00:38:20.695 with people about it and continuing to seek feedback on it, 694 00:38:20.695 --> 00:38:23.495 because it really should be an evolving, um, 695 00:38:23.915 --> 00:38:28.135 an evolving document as, um, things change for better 696 00:38:28.135 --> 00:38:29.215 or worse for our students. 697 00:38:30.235 --> 00:38:32.015 Um, their other method is 698 00:38:32.015 --> 00:38:35.255 by educating policy makers on the steps necessary 699 00:38:35.465 --> 00:38:36.845 to implement the court's ruling. 700 00:38:37.025 --> 00:38:40.085 And so that may be advocating for a particular piece 701 00:38:40.085 --> 00:38:43.925 of legislation, um, or funding in a particular area. 702 00:38:44.905 --> 00:38:47.805 And then I think the most importantly is really sustaining 703 00:38:47.805 --> 00:38:51.365 an outreach campaign to engage the public, to keep, uh, 704 00:38:51.365 --> 00:38:53.885 people up to date who are interested, 705 00:38:54.105 --> 00:38:56.525 and to give them the opportunity to be involved 706 00:38:56.545 --> 00:38:59.005 to advocate for change. 707 00:39:01.845 --> 00:39:05.145 So around the same time in 2018, uh, 708 00:39:05.165 --> 00:39:08.465 tribal leaders began holding similar community summits 709 00:39:08.695 --> 00:39:10.185 with students, parents, 710 00:39:10.765 --> 00:39:11.905 and community members 711 00:39:12.845 --> 00:39:16.225 to develop recommendations on meeting the unmet needs 712 00:39:16.445 --> 00:39:19.425 of Native American students, um, in response 713 00:39:19.425 --> 00:39:20.625 to the, the court's order. 714 00:39:22.605 --> 00:39:27.305 And so the tribal re, uh, education frame, uh, framework was 715 00:39:28.665 --> 00:39:31.555 created from these convenings, I'm sorry, 716 00:39:31.675 --> 00:39:32.915 the Tribal Remedy Framework. 717 00:39:33.815 --> 00:39:37.795 Um, it is endorsed by all, all 23 nations, tribes 718 00:39:37.795 --> 00:39:38.915 and pueblos in New Mexico, 719 00:39:41.395 --> 00:39:44.535 and much, much like transform education New Mexico 720 00:39:44.685 --> 00:39:47.495 that grew into a coalition, so did these efforts. 721 00:39:47.915 --> 00:39:51.575 And after the Tribal Remedy framework was developed, 722 00:39:52.235 --> 00:39:54.575 the Tribal Education Alliance was created, 723 00:39:55.275 --> 00:39:58.975 and it is a coalition of tribal educators, leaders, experts, 724 00:39:59.595 --> 00:40:02.975 and advocates that support tribal leaders in 725 00:40:03.005 --> 00:40:04.615 advancing the initiatives. 726 00:40:05.115 --> 00:40:08.255 Um, so changes in policy funding, um, 727 00:40:08.565 --> 00:40:10.935 contained in the Tribal Remedy framework 728 00:40:12.235 --> 00:40:16.615 and the TEA, as we call it, the Tribal Education Alliance, 729 00:40:16.825 --> 00:40:19.815 works closely with Transform Education New Mexico. 730 00:40:22.975 --> 00:40:26.755 So the Tribal Remedy Framework outlines initial steps 731 00:40:27.655 --> 00:40:31.875 for an overhaul of education, governance, funding, 732 00:40:32.625 --> 00:40:35.475 programming and services for Native American students 733 00:40:35.825 --> 00:40:37.155 with three main goals. 734 00:40:38.205 --> 00:40:39.955 First is shared responsibility 735 00:40:40.055 --> 00:40:42.515 and increased tribal control over the schooling 736 00:40:42.515 --> 00:40:43.875 of Native American children. 737 00:40:45.315 --> 00:40:47.615 The second is using a tribal 738 00:40:47.615 --> 00:40:49.535 community-based education model. 739 00:40:50.595 --> 00:40:53.855 And the third is achieving a balanced and culturally 740 00:40:53.855 --> 00:40:55.655 and linguistically relevant education 741 00:40:55.765 --> 00:40:57.935 that really builds on the strengths of children 742 00:40:58.075 --> 00:40:59.855 and their community communities 743 00:41:00.355 --> 00:41:02.055 and all of the assets that those students 744 00:41:02.055 --> 00:41:03.095 bring to the classroom. 745 00:41:04.675 --> 00:41:08.455 And so, policy solutions that are, have been developed 746 00:41:08.455 --> 00:41:12.375 through the process of either the Yazi platform 747 00:41:12.515 --> 00:41:15.815 or the Tribal Remedy framework, have been introduced 748 00:41:15.835 --> 00:41:18.855 during every legislative session since the ruling. 749 00:41:19.875 --> 00:41:21.455 Uh, and so as a result, 750 00:41:21.555 --> 00:41:24.655 and I'll get to to this in a little bit more detail, 751 00:41:24.875 --> 00:41:27.815 but there have been initial investments in funding, uh, 752 00:41:27.915 --> 00:41:28.975 for some of these things. 753 00:41:35.395 --> 00:41:38.535 So I, I, again, apologize for all of the text on this page 754 00:41:38.535 --> 00:41:41.175 and hope it is really used as a reference 755 00:41:41.235 --> 00:41:44.455 for you all rather than needing to read it at this moment. 756 00:41:44.595 --> 00:41:47.255 But I wanted to give kind of an overview of some 757 00:41:47.255 --> 00:41:52.055 of the legislation that the advocacy efforts of, um, 758 00:41:52.695 --> 00:41:53.815 transform Education New Mexico 759 00:41:54.115 --> 00:41:57.855 and the Tribal Education Alliance have resulted in. 760 00:41:58.035 --> 00:42:01.775 And then of course, all of the people who, um, come 761 00:42:01.835 --> 00:42:04.335 to support these initiatives as well, um, 762 00:42:04.335 --> 00:42:05.695 during the legislative session. 763 00:42:07.555 --> 00:42:11.175 So I just wanted to touch on a few that I thought might be, 764 00:42:11.515 --> 00:42:13.615 um, interesting or relevant. 765 00:42:14.595 --> 00:42:18.285 So the first is a Native American needs assessment 766 00:42:18.515 --> 00:42:23.245 that was passed in 2019, um, that schools are required 767 00:42:23.345 --> 00:42:24.605 to do on a yearly basis. 768 00:42:25.905 --> 00:42:29.525 Um, pay parity for native language teachers was established. 769 00:42:31.665 --> 00:42:36.155 Community based pre-K um, has been strengthened 770 00:42:36.155 --> 00:42:39.835 through a partnership between the early childhood education 771 00:42:39.895 --> 00:42:43.835 and care department and tribal, uh, governments. 772 00:42:45.525 --> 00:42:48.785 Uh, technical assistance centers are, uh, received funding 773 00:42:48.925 --> 00:42:51.705 to, uh, really be developed and built out, 774 00:42:51.845 --> 00:42:53.265 and that process is happening. 775 00:42:54.605 --> 00:42:57.225 And then one I wanted to talk a little bit more about, 776 00:42:57.365 --> 00:43:00.185 and that is access to culturally appropriate services. 777 00:43:01.085 --> 00:43:03.985 So there was a bill, house bill 2 87 778 00:43:05.445 --> 00:43:10.345 in 2021 that would've required this report to happen. 779 00:43:11.745 --> 00:43:14.915 Unfortunately, the governor vetoed that bill, 780 00:43:15.775 --> 00:43:18.115 but directed the public education department 781 00:43:18.135 --> 00:43:21.555 to still undergo, um, asset mapping 782 00:43:21.855 --> 00:43:25.995 and, uh, gaps analysis of services that were available 783 00:43:26.015 --> 00:43:29.555 to students throughout the CI the state with a particular 784 00:43:30.205 --> 00:43:33.155 focus on services that are culturally appropriate. 785 00:43:35.645 --> 00:43:39.665 So that, um, work happened through, 786 00:43:40.995 --> 00:43:45.615 uh, I'm sorry, by the Pacific Institute for Research 787 00:43:45.675 --> 00:43:48.415 and Evaluation, which is here in Albuquerque. 788 00:43:50.025 --> 00:43:52.605 And in 2022, um, 789 00:43:54.055 --> 00:43:56.545 that organization released its findings. 790 00:43:56.925 --> 00:44:00.025 Um, and they're really very responsive 791 00:44:00.045 --> 00:44:02.225 to the findings on the issue of health 792 00:44:02.225 --> 00:44:05.425 and social services in schools that the, 793 00:44:05.425 --> 00:44:06.585 the court addressed. 794 00:44:07.085 --> 00:44:08.905 Um, in the Yazi Martinez case. 795 00:44:10.015 --> 00:44:12.825 Unfortunately, it was no surprise that according 796 00:44:12.845 --> 00:44:15.745 to the report, there are a limited number 797 00:44:16.565 --> 00:44:17.905 of behavioral health 798 00:44:18.085 --> 00:44:20.225 and social service providers statewide 799 00:44:20.775 --> 00:44:24.305 with fewer available rural areas, sometimes students having 800 00:44:24.305 --> 00:44:26.865 to drive several hours to reach a provider. 801 00:44:28.445 --> 00:44:32.485 So we hope that with this data, um, 802 00:44:33.345 --> 00:44:35.925 it can really support legislation 803 00:44:36.025 --> 00:44:39.805 and funding, um, that's built on, on these findings 804 00:44:39.985 --> 00:44:44.415 and the need to really expand, uh, the workforce 805 00:44:44.835 --> 00:44:46.855 and funding available for these services, 806 00:44:47.715 --> 00:44:50.095 and ensuring there is a pipeline of, 807 00:44:50.235 --> 00:44:52.975 of people going into those positions, um, 808 00:44:53.085 --> 00:44:54.975 that really reflect the diversity 809 00:44:55.035 --> 00:44:56.335 of the students that they teach. 810 00:44:57.155 --> 00:44:59.935 And that, um, all of these are 811 00:45:00.095 --> 00:45:01.375 provided in a way that's culturally 812 00:45:01.375 --> 00:45:02.575 appropriate to our students. 813 00:45:04.825 --> 00:45:08.805 We hope that that really builds out a network of, um, 814 00:45:10.135 --> 00:45:13.205 profe professionals who can provide critical behavioral 815 00:45:13.585 --> 00:45:17.725 and mental health and social services to students, um, 816 00:45:18.135 --> 00:45:19.165 throughout the state. 817 00:45:23.265 --> 00:45:26.925 So this is a similar slide related to legislative 818 00:45:27.435 --> 00:45:31.045 initiatives in supportive students with disabilities. 819 00:45:32.455 --> 00:45:36.565 And so, again, wanting to just highlight a few pieces 820 00:45:36.625 --> 00:45:41.525 of the, of these, um, I think the way we can sum up 821 00:45:41.525 --> 00:45:45.605 what the legislature has accomplished in this area relates 822 00:45:45.665 --> 00:45:50.285 to funding generally with the caveat 823 00:45:50.715 --> 00:45:53.725 that knowing that that actually is targeted 824 00:45:53.865 --> 00:45:57.365 to support students with disabilities is really unclear. 825 00:45:58.225 --> 00:46:01.045 Um, and the, the creation of the Office 826 00:46:01.305 --> 00:46:04.525 of the Special Education Oud, who is an advocate, right, 827 00:46:04.545 --> 00:46:06.605 for, for students and families. 828 00:46:06.945 --> 00:46:11.475 Um, however, then as you can see, there is one correction 829 00:46:11.505 --> 00:46:16.475 that the 2020, uh, the 2020 column, 830 00:46:17.525 --> 00:46:20.885 there are several, um, initiatives 831 00:46:20.915 --> 00:46:22.805 that while they would've been helpful 832 00:46:22.905 --> 00:46:25.205 and supportive to students 833 00:46:25.205 --> 00:46:29.245 with disabilities in public schools, were not successful. 834 00:46:30.185 --> 00:46:32.605 And I would say, generally speaking across the board, 835 00:46:32.695 --> 00:46:35.045 these in initiatives have not been successful. 836 00:46:35.665 --> 00:46:36.725 Um, unfortunately, 837 00:46:37.185 --> 00:46:40.325 and as I'll get to in just a minute here, um, 838 00:46:40.505 --> 00:46:42.165 so much more remains to be done. 839 00:46:42.865 --> 00:46:45.885 Um, I'm sure, as you all know, all too well, um, 840 00:46:45.945 --> 00:46:49.525 but some of the initiatives that were put forward, um, 841 00:46:50.095 --> 00:46:54.365 would be to elevate the, uh, uh, special education 842 00:46:54.425 --> 00:46:57.485 to a division within, um, PED 843 00:46:58.595 --> 00:46:59.725 that bill didn't pass, 844 00:46:59.945 --> 00:47:04.165 but the governor has, has, has made that change, um, 845 00:47:04.535 --> 00:47:07.405 which we're pleased about there. 846 00:47:07.825 --> 00:47:11.485 Um, ha there was a proposal to provide salary increases 847 00:47:11.905 --> 00:47:13.645 for special education teachers. 848 00:47:14.785 --> 00:47:16.885 Um, there was legislation 849 00:47:16.885 --> 00:47:19.645 that would've required really critical training 850 00:47:19.745 --> 00:47:24.005 for educators, um, around special education, um, 851 00:47:24.305 --> 00:47:26.405 and bilingual or TSL endorsement. 852 00:47:27.265 --> 00:47:29.485 And then there was an effort to, um, 853 00:47:30.275 --> 00:47:34.285 provide loan forgiveness for, uh, special education teachers 854 00:47:34.425 --> 00:47:36.965 who work in public schools for a certain amount of time. 855 00:47:38.305 --> 00:47:42.215 So the work remains. All right. 856 00:47:42.315 --> 00:47:46.095 So what's changed since the court's ruling in 2018? 857 00:47:48.345 --> 00:47:50.925 So there's definitely been an increase to overall funding 858 00:47:50.985 --> 00:47:52.045 of public education. 859 00:47:52.585 --> 00:47:57.285 Um, unfortunately, it's not targeted to meet the needs 860 00:47:57.285 --> 00:47:58.885 of the students at the heart of this case. 861 00:47:59.305 --> 00:48:03.715 And we know that because not much has changed, right? 862 00:48:03.775 --> 00:48:05.915 For, for, for these students. 863 00:48:07.435 --> 00:48:11.855 Um, and while the, you know, the state has made efforts 864 00:48:12.165 --> 00:48:15.695 because it has not been done in a comprehensive way, um, 865 00:48:15.725 --> 00:48:17.855 with a plan of achieving certain goals 866 00:48:17.915 --> 00:48:21.895 and knowing how we're gonna get there, um, the system has, 867 00:48:22.235 --> 00:48:25.095 has yet to be transformed and is in fact still far from it. 868 00:48:25.635 --> 00:48:29.055 Um, and we know that the students at the heart 869 00:48:29.055 --> 00:48:31.935 of this case are still stuck in a, in a system 870 00:48:32.085 --> 00:48:33.695 that is insufficient. 871 00:48:35.185 --> 00:48:39.085 There have been, um, a requirement 872 00:48:39.105 --> 00:48:41.125 for instructional materials to be culturally 873 00:48:41.125 --> 00:48:44.125 and linguistically responsive that was implemented, 874 00:48:44.985 --> 00:48:48.965 new social study standards, um, teacher raises, 875 00:48:49.905 --> 00:48:52.605 and as I mentioned, the pay parity for native language 876 00:48:52.605 --> 00:48:54.245 and culture teachers, which are all things 877 00:48:54.245 --> 00:48:56.565 that we think are good and we have supported, 878 00:48:59.255 --> 00:49:00.995 but I'm sure, as we all know, um, 879 00:49:01.215 --> 00:49:03.475 so much more remains to be done. 880 00:49:04.375 --> 00:49:07.195 Um, and while New Mexico really has the ability 881 00:49:07.255 --> 00:49:10.875 to be groundbreaking in transforming our public education 882 00:49:10.875 --> 00:49:14.915 system, um, to one that is rooted in a multicultural 883 00:49:15.015 --> 00:49:17.835 and multilingual framework, um, but even 884 00:49:17.835 --> 00:49:20.115 before covid, there was a long way to go. 885 00:49:20.735 --> 00:49:23.815 Um, and many issues remain. 886 00:49:24.485 --> 00:49:25.935 This slide tries to kind 887 00:49:25.935 --> 00:49:28.975 of summarize those same bucket areas where we know 888 00:49:29.605 --> 00:49:31.855 that there is so much more work to be done. 889 00:49:32.515 --> 00:49:36.575 Um, and we know that tho until those changes are felt 890 00:49:36.995 --> 00:49:40.295 by all students in the four student groups across the state, 891 00:49:41.365 --> 00:49:43.495 that the work can't stop, 892 00:49:43.765 --> 00:49:45.895 that the state has not met its obligation, 893 00:49:46.155 --> 00:49:47.535 and that they will continue 894 00:49:47.555 --> 00:49:49.175 to be held accountable to do that. 895 00:49:52.965 --> 00:49:56.425 So finally, you'll see Ms. Yazi here, uh, in this picture. 896 00:49:57.405 --> 00:49:59.665 Um, I touched on litigation, 897 00:50:00.305 --> 00:50:03.145 I touched on legislative advocacy efforts, 898 00:50:03.285 --> 00:50:05.985 and then this is the third piece that the Center on Law 899 00:50:05.985 --> 00:50:09.465 and Poverty, um, really tries to 900 00:50:10.125 --> 00:50:14.785 create systemic change through, which is, um, empowering 901 00:50:14.785 --> 00:50:17.985 and engaging with communities in a real and authentic way. 902 00:50:18.485 --> 00:50:22.755 Um, you know, when we do that, to 903 00:50:23.395 --> 00:50:25.635 identify priorities of, of communities 904 00:50:25.695 --> 00:50:29.285 who are experiencing the issues to help up uplift 905 00:50:29.385 --> 00:50:31.885 and support solutions identified by, 906 00:50:32.185 --> 00:50:35.245 by those same individuals and communities, um, 907 00:50:35.385 --> 00:50:37.725 and partner if necessary, if that's helpful 908 00:50:37.905 --> 00:50:41.125 and supportive, um, and welcome, um, 909 00:50:41.265 --> 00:50:44.365 and work together for really a vision for change. 910 00:50:45.625 --> 00:50:49.965 Um, so this slide is, um, 911 00:50:50.105 --> 00:50:53.685 an example of that where, uh, my colleague, the director 912 00:50:53.685 --> 00:50:56.325 of the education team, um, Melissa Candelaria 913 00:50:56.465 --> 00:50:59.645 and I, along with this Esteem Professor, um, 914 00:50:59.785 --> 00:51:02.805 Glenna Martinez at at UNM and Ms. 915 00:51:03.155 --> 00:51:07.885 Yazi, um, held community information sessions, um, 916 00:51:08.205 --> 00:51:12.605 I think 13 or 14 in total, to give a, a summary 917 00:51:12.625 --> 00:51:16.245 of the lawsuit and where things are today, much like, uh, 918 00:51:16.475 --> 00:51:17.725 I've done, I've done today. 919 00:51:18.305 --> 00:51:21.325 Um, and then also to hear from people and, 920 00:51:21.425 --> 00:51:24.565 and what they're still seeing in, in their classroom 921 00:51:24.625 --> 00:51:25.925 or in their child's classroom, 922 00:51:26.025 --> 00:51:27.845 or the issues that we know are ongoing. 923 00:51:28.825 --> 00:51:32.725 Um, and we really use that, uh, to help inform 924 00:51:33.315 --> 00:51:34.965 what we tell the court and, 925 00:51:35.025 --> 00:51:39.645 and what information we put forward to the judge to show 926 00:51:39.645 --> 00:51:42.685 that the state has really failed to do its job here, 927 00:51:42.985 --> 00:51:46.245 and that the court needs to order the state to do more. 928 00:51:47.025 --> 00:51:50.765 So we really, um, feel honored to have those opportunities 929 00:51:51.025 --> 00:51:52.285 to talk with communities 930 00:51:52.545 --> 00:51:55.365 and, um, you know, look forward to doing more 931 00:51:55.385 --> 00:51:58.965 of these community information sessions, um, this year, 932 00:51:59.585 --> 00:52:04.155 and always welcome the chance to, um, talk with people. 933 00:52:07.345 --> 00:52:09.405 All right. So what's next? 934 00:52:10.425 --> 00:52:14.725 Um, the lawyers for the Yazi plaintiffs, 935 00:52:14.725 --> 00:52:18.325 so myself and, um, three others on, on our team 936 00:52:18.825 --> 00:52:22.445 and the lawyers for the Martinez Plaintiffs, um, 937 00:52:22.445 --> 00:52:24.605 have been working closely together all 938 00:52:24.605 --> 00:52:26.165 through the discovery process 939 00:52:27.105 --> 00:52:30.445 and strategizing what our next step might be in terms 940 00:52:30.505 --> 00:52:31.605 of going back to court. 941 00:52:32.305 --> 00:52:35.685 Um, the evidence we would put together for the judge 942 00:52:35.785 --> 00:52:38.845 and what we would ask the asking of the judge to order. 943 00:52:40.465 --> 00:52:42.805 So I can say that there is strong evidence 944 00:52:42.835 --> 00:52:45.325 that the state has not done enough to transform the system, 945 00:52:45.325 --> 00:52:47.085 which will come as a shock to no one. 946 00:52:47.985 --> 00:52:50.885 Um, but we could point to the lack of SER services and, 947 00:52:50.905 --> 00:52:52.205 and programming for students. 948 00:52:52.865 --> 00:52:57.165 Um, we could point to outcomes, we could point 949 00:52:57.165 --> 00:53:01.405 to the PDs, lack of accountability and monitoring, 950 00:53:01.545 --> 00:53:05.525 and simply gathering accurate data in these areas so 951 00:53:05.525 --> 00:53:08.765 that we have a baseline of where we need to move from. 952 00:53:09.985 --> 00:53:12.405 Um, and also the need for more planning, um, 953 00:53:12.595 --> 00:53:15.525 that involves buy-in from other branches of government. 954 00:53:16.075 --> 00:53:18.965 Because if a, if a plan is created within 955 00:53:19.905 --> 00:53:23.485 one state agency without feedback from other state agencies 956 00:53:23.585 --> 00:53:27.245 or the legislature, it seems unlikely that that plan 957 00:53:27.975 --> 00:53:29.245 would ever get implemented. 958 00:53:29.465 --> 00:53:31.485 And so there really needs to be a lot 959 00:53:31.485 --> 00:53:34.325 of voices at the table in developing that plan. 960 00:53:35.105 --> 00:53:38.645 Uh, and not just state actors, but community, um, 961 00:53:38.745 --> 00:53:41.485 and voices of, of people impacted by these issues. 962 00:53:42.385 --> 00:53:45.285 Um, and again, going back to the expertise 963 00:53:45.285 --> 00:53:49.085 that lies within our state and really incorporating that 964 00:53:49.505 --> 00:53:51.205 and, um, honoring that 965 00:53:51.425 --> 00:53:54.685 and making that central to how the state moves forward 966 00:53:56.905 --> 00:53:58.485 in terms of legislative advocacy. 967 00:53:58.705 --> 00:54:01.125 Um, transform education, New Mexico, 968 00:54:01.745 --> 00:54:03.365 who we work very closely with, 969 00:54:03.585 --> 00:54:05.325 and the Tribal Education Alliance, 970 00:54:05.905 --> 00:54:09.925 who we also work close closely with, are both, um, 971 00:54:10.065 --> 00:54:13.485 in the planning stages of, um, 972 00:54:15.095 --> 00:54:16.755 of what they're going to advocate 973 00:54:16.755 --> 00:54:19.075 for at the 2025 legislative session. 974 00:54:19.335 --> 00:54:23.155 And again, it's always informed by community input, 975 00:54:23.185 --> 00:54:24.875 stakeholder input, um, 976 00:54:25.295 --> 00:54:27.715 and really the experts in, in education. 977 00:54:28.295 --> 00:54:30.835 And as that plan comes together, um, 978 00:54:30.965 --> 00:54:34.675 there may be legislative proposals that TANEM 979 00:54:34.695 --> 00:54:36.275 or TEA support 980 00:54:36.535 --> 00:54:39.075 or, uh, funding amounts, um, 981 00:54:40.505 --> 00:54:43.275 that they would support at, at the legislature in the form 982 00:54:43.275 --> 00:54:44.475 of giving public comment 983 00:54:44.895 --> 00:54:48.595 or doing fact sheets to educate lawmakers about a particular 984 00:54:49.125 --> 00:54:50.275 piece of legislation. 985 00:54:51.175 --> 00:54:52.435 So that's also happening. 986 00:54:53.215 --> 00:54:55.915 And then, as I said, in terms of community engagement, um, 987 00:54:56.305 --> 00:55:00.435 looking forward to additional opportunities to talk 988 00:55:00.435 --> 00:55:02.555 with communities to, um, 989 00:55:04.225 --> 00:55:06.365 inform people about what's happening with the case 990 00:55:06.905 --> 00:55:09.485 and opportunities for people to get involved 991 00:55:09.665 --> 00:55:12.685 and to advocate, um, you know, for their student 992 00:55:12.825 --> 00:55:17.205 or for their community or for themselves as educators 993 00:55:17.305 --> 00:55:19.125 or administrators or what have you. 994 00:55:19.265 --> 00:55:22.485 So lots is happening, um, in all of these areas. 995 00:55:27.765 --> 00:55:32.445 So lastly, um, giving you all the opportunity 996 00:55:32.785 --> 00:55:37.525 to get involved, um, a good start to do that would be 997 00:55:37.525 --> 00:55:41.965 to sign up for mailing lists, either from the Center on Law 998 00:55:41.965 --> 00:55:46.765 and Poverty, from Transform Education, New Mexico, um, and 999 00:55:46.785 --> 00:55:48.805 or the Tribal Education Alliance. 1000 00:55:49.705 --> 00:55:51.925 So you would get through email, um, 1001 00:55:52.555 --> 00:55:54.045 updates on what's happening, 1002 00:55:54.185 --> 00:55:57.405 and then particularly around the legislative, um, 1003 00:55:58.575 --> 00:56:01.795 the legislative session, you would get action alerts when 1004 00:56:01.795 --> 00:56:06.555 there may be a particular bill, um, that is being heard 1005 00:56:07.375 --> 00:56:10.635 and you would, you know, be given the opportunity 1006 00:56:10.735 --> 00:56:13.515 to give public comment in support of that bill, for example. 1007 00:56:14.255 --> 00:56:18.915 Um, and I wanna say one, one piece on, 1008 00:56:19.055 --> 00:56:23.485 on that, because coming into to my current role, 1009 00:56:24.985 --> 00:56:28.265 I, um, didn't have experience with legislative advocacy, 1010 00:56:29.005 --> 00:56:30.345 and it seemed daunting, 1011 00:56:30.405 --> 00:56:34.865 and it seemed hard that it would influence a, a lawmaker. 1012 00:56:36.225 --> 00:56:41.125 But early on I had a meeting with a legislator who said that 1013 00:56:41.145 --> 00:56:45.925 as few as 10 letters from constituents would be enough 1014 00:56:45.985 --> 00:56:49.925 to, to sway a legislator's position on an issue. 1015 00:56:50.715 --> 00:56:51.975 And that really surprised me. 1016 00:56:52.175 --> 00:56:55.095 'cause that seems, I mean, there's far more than 10 1017 00:56:55.095 --> 00:56:56.095 of us on this call here. 1018 00:56:56.915 --> 00:57:01.535 And so it really reflected the power in that voice, right, 1019 00:57:01.595 --> 00:57:02.655 in that advocacy. 1020 00:57:03.555 --> 00:57:05.895 Um, so it, it does matter. 1021 00:57:05.955 --> 00:57:08.015 It does change people, people's minds. 1022 00:57:08.675 --> 00:57:12.715 And what I always say too is that it's 1023 00:57:12.715 --> 00:57:15.115 so much more powerful for a legislator to hear 1024 00:57:15.805 --> 00:57:18.995 about a personal story about a family, a student, 1025 00:57:19.415 --> 00:57:22.755 an educator, than it is for a lawyer to stand in front 1026 00:57:22.755 --> 00:57:24.235 of them and talk about a case. 1027 00:57:24.775 --> 00:57:26.355 That's not what moves hearts, right? 1028 00:57:26.935 --> 00:57:28.515 But your personal stories, 1029 00:57:28.785 --> 00:57:31.155 what you've seen go on in a classroom 1030 00:57:31.295 --> 00:57:33.115 or a school, those are the things 1031 00:57:33.465 --> 00:57:35.475 that really move their minds. 1032 00:57:37.175 --> 00:57:39.315 So I encourage you all to sign up 1033 00:57:39.455 --> 00:57:41.795 to also follow us on social media, if 1034 00:57:41.795 --> 00:57:43.995 that's something you're interested in, where you can, 1035 00:57:44.055 --> 00:57:45.235 oh, apologies. 1036 00:57:46.975 --> 00:57:48.845 Where you can also get, um, 1037 00:57:50.105 --> 00:57:51.685 get updates about what's happening. 1038 00:57:51.905 --> 00:57:55.215 How did I skip to the end's? 1039 00:57:55.215 --> 00:57:57.185 See, sorry everybody, 1040 00:58:04.475 --> 00:58:06.935 my mouse was getting ahead of itself 1041 00:58:08.725 --> 00:58:12.335 because I was about to say, uh, that was my last slide. 1042 00:58:12.915 --> 00:58:14.895 Um, and I know that Jennifer 1043 00:58:15.035 --> 00:58:17.255 and her team were gonna share my contact 1044 00:58:17.325 --> 00:58:18.975 information, which is also here. 1045 00:58:19.755 --> 00:58:22.575 And, um, the websites where you can find some 1046 00:58:22.575 --> 00:58:24.735 of the framework documents that we talked about 1047 00:58:25.075 --> 00:58:27.055 and also just learn more information. 1048 00:58:27.795 --> 00:58:29.495 So I will stop sharing my screen. 1049 00:58:29.665 --> 00:58:32.055 Thank you all for listening. And, um.