Deb Haaland, former U.S. congresswoman and Interior secretary, has outlined her education plan as part of her campaign for New Mexico governor. In a recent op-ed, Haaland described a strategy focused on preparing students for life after school, beginning in middle school.
Haaland stated, "I’m a proud product of public schools. Every New Mexican knows that our children need a quality education for our state to thrive, but right now, New Mexico ranks nationally in the bottom for education. During my travels to all 33 counties in New Mexico, I heard from students, parents and teachers who shared that many students lose interest in school because they don’t feel prepared for the real world outside of their classrooms. Employers and union members shared that there aren’t enough workers to fill good-paying jobs."
She explained her motivation for running for governor: "I’m running for governor because, by working together with students, parents, teachers, businesses and unions, we can build new solutions. It’s why my plan for education starts with creating career and trades pathways in middle school and carries students through graduation into living-wage, high-demand careers right here in New Mexico."
Haaland emphasized the importance of engaging students at an early age. "If we want to move New Mexico’s schools and economy forward, we must change what school means for our children. Middle school is where a child’s curiosity soars or stalls, but New Mexicans’ eighth-grade test scores in reading and math are lagging. As a kid, I loved the outdoors and working with my hands. To keep kids engaged in reading and math, we can couple them with hands-on courses that excite their imaginations and keep them learning. Middle school students can explore robotics, learn the basics of auto mechanics, get an introduction into the building trades, or get a grasp on what it takes to run a hotel or restaurant to see what interests them. When school feels relevant and when kids have options, they become more interested in learning."
She continued, "Coming into high school, a career pathways program can become a launchpad — not just for a four-year college degree, but for high-paying, in-demand jobs outside of higher education. By the time high schoolers graduate to enter the workforce, they will have a diploma and actual credentials, skills and possible banked work hours for fast tracking into apprenticeships. Then our children will have every door open to jobs that will lead New Mexico into the future, or if they choose, they can move into a two- or four-year college degree with New Mexico’s Opportunity Scholarship."
Haaland pointed to the state’s growth in sectors such as renewable energy, high-speed internet, film, aerospace, and national lab manufacturing. She noted that while New Mexico is positioned to become a leader in these areas, there is a workforce gap: "Standing in the way is the reality that for every 10 workers who retire, only one is replacing them in areas like construction. The solution is to invest in pathways to careers now, so that our children in rural, Tribal and urban communities can be part of our future and we can seize the opportunity to be that leader."
She highlighted the role of local businesses and unions in supporting education: "It’s for these reasons that New Mexico-based businesses and unions care deeply about our education system. This approach makes these partners a key part of the solution. Pre-apprenticeship programs have proven to help New Mexico train more pipefitters, electricians, plumbers, lineworkers, film crews and more, while also preparing New Mexicans for quality, safe and high-paying jobs. With our teachers guiding students, unions helping develop the curriculum and employers hiring homegrown New Mexicans — we create a brighter future for our children."
Haaland concluded by outlining the potential benefits of her approach: "The payoff for this new approach? New Mexico will have a new workforce ready to take the jobs that will help build up our state, students have opportunities to break cycles of poverty, and we can become national leaders leveraging the things that make our state great."
She summarized her vision by saying, "Establishing a middle-school-to-career trades pathways — based around hands-on academic learning, backed by unions and connected to the jobs of today and tomorrow — will lead our students to love learning and provide them an opportunity for a good job in their communities. As your next governor, I’m looking forward to working with teachers, families, unions, businesses and education professionals to make this a cornerstone of my plans to improve education in K-12 and deliver results for our children and our economy."
Haaland is campaigning to make this educational model a key part of her agenda if elected as governor.
