Rebecca Dow, House Representative of New Mexico, said that the significant rise in public school funding should lead to improved student outcomes and called for funding to follow students. The statement was made on X.
"Over 70% increase in funding for NM public schools," said Rebecca L. Dow, New Mexico State Representative for 38th District (R). "Shouldn't families see increased student outcomes? It's time for dollars to follow students on NM."
New Mexico has significantly increased public education funding since the 2018 Yazzie-Martinez ruling, raising spending from $2.69 billion in 2018 to about $3.8 billion in 2025. However, according to state lawmakers and the Public Education Department, student achievement has stagnated, fueling ongoing debates over spending effectiveness and reforms. This was noted by NM Education and the Legislative Finance Committee.
According to the Legislative Finance Committee, New Mexico K–12 education funding rose by 41% from $2.69 billion in 2018 to $3.8 billion in 2025, while enrollment fell by nearly 20,000 students. This led to a substantial rise in per-pupil investment; however, academic progress has not kept pace with the increased funding.
Despite a dramatic increase in state education funding, student performance remained flat. Only 23% of New Mexico students were proficient in math for the 2023–24 school year—the same as previous years—while chronic absenteeism and performance gaps among at-risk students persisted, according to the Public Education Department.
Dow is a Republican House Representative from New Mexico’s 38th District, serving since 2017 with a background in early childhood education and business. According to her campaign and legislative profiles, she has served on the House Education Committee and is known for advocating parental choice, education accountability, and school innovation.
