Rebecca Dow, a former House Representative of New Mexico, has expressed concerns over the state's rapid expansion of universal PreK. She said on X that the expansion has overlooked key success factors and should not be blamed on providers.
"Don't blame PreK providers for ECECDs failures," said Rebecca L. Dow, New Mexico State Representative for 38th District (R). "The best indicators of Prek success are 1. Targeted to children who need it most 2. Prek teachers with specialized training (not degrees) 3, Engaged parents. Grew PreK so fast there are no qualified staff. Doesn't have a meaningful parent engagement assurance."
New Mexico's universal PreK program has been expanded through the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD). However, challenges persist, including a shortage of qualified staff and limited access in rural areas. According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, despite increased funding in 2024, providers continue to face significant hiring and enrollment hurdles.
The New Mexico ECECD 2023 annual report indicates that approximately 14,000 children were enrolled in public PreK last year. Nonetheless, nearly 25% of classrooms lacked a fully qualified lead teacher, highlighting workforce shortages across the state.
A study conducted in 2023 by the National Institute for Early Education Research found that while parent engagement in New Mexico’s PreK programs is improving, it still lags behind states like Oklahoma. Additionally, PreK student outcomes in New Mexico are close to national averages for early literacy.
According to Ballotpedia, Dow is a former Republican member of the New Mexico House of Representatives who prioritized early childhood education. She supported initiatives such as PreK expansion, teacher workforce development, and parental choice in education.
