Cradle-to-Career Education Blog
New Mexico is funding higher education way below pre-recession levels: Why we must reverse the trend
Students in New Mexico and across the country are now facing bigger hurdles than ever when it comes to financing their college educations. As states cut higher education funding, universities raise tuition and fees. As costs go up, students—especially those that are low-income—are forced to finance their education through loans. Growing student loan debt is made more difficult to repay due to rising interest rates. Like a snowball rolling down a hill, these barriers build on one another and are threatening to run over college students.
Let’s show our support for moms—not just on Mother’s Day, but every day!
On this Mother’s Day, the staff at New Mexico Voices for Children wanted to tip our hats to all of the moms out there and celebrate them for doing all they do. As a working new mom myself, I thought we might also talk about some of the unique challenges that moms who work outside the home face. Working mothers are now the primary or co-breadwinners for two-thirds of American families.
Lawmakers approve unlimited investments in overseas corporations, but block a 1% investment in our own children
The Governor has no plan to fully fund early learning. The Legislative Finance Committee says it has a plan to phase in more funding over time, but at the rate they’re going, it will be decades before we achieve universal access and the kids who would benefit from these programs today will be parents themselves.
Our changing—and highly vulnerable—future workforce
When the national KIDS COUNT Race for Results: Building a Path to Opportunity for All Children report was released earlier this month it was as if the proverbial other shoe had dropped. The first shoe that fell was New Mexico being ranked dead last in the nation in terms of child well-being. Now, Race for Results presents us with a first-ever, state-level index of racial/ethnic equity for children that shows New Mexico is also failing to provide equitable opportunities for ALL of our children to succeed at key developmental stages of life.
When it comes to kids, it’s time for a ‘fierce urgency of now’
When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at the March on Washington, he described a “fierce urgency of now.” He reminded a divided nation that we need one another, and that we are stronger when we march forward, together. “We cannot walk alone,” he said. “And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead. We cannot turn back.” A half century later, Dr. King’s words still have great meaning and life.
This will surprise you (and should make you want to take action)!
Child care assistance has been lauded by politicians and parents alike as the most effective way to make work pay. New Mexico’s families deserve the opportunity to work with the sense of security knowing their children are not only in a safe place, but spending their day in a place that fosters their intellectual and emotional development.
What will they think about what we have done?
Have you ever wondered what our children will think about what we did today when it’s become a part of history? When they’re old enough to understand what’s going on today, whether it’s 15, 20, or 25 years from now, what are they going to think about our today? Right now. Decisions that our leaders make today will affect today’s babies now and when they become the young adults of tomorrow, yet it seems that the only comments ever made about the future are simply political rhetoric.
Celebrating the life and accomplishments of Lenore Wolfe
Lenore Wolfe, a long-time early childhood leader, friend, and advocate, passed away October 7, 2011, at age 95. Lenore was a role model, mentor, and leader for many of us in the early childhood community. She touched many lives and remains with us as an example of how one person can truly make a difference.
We applaud the governor and CYFD for restoring child care funds
It has been gratifying to see the media attention given to the impact that revenue decisions like the reimbursement rate cuts have had on small businesses and families. Yet, we aren’t ready to say “mission accomplished.” Too many of New Mexico’s children do not have the opportunity to access the important high-quality services that are proven to set them on the path to success in school and in life.
Deficit Deal Spares Pell Grants but Cuts Stafford Loans
The debt ceiling deal recently reached by the White House and Congress has some negative consequences for current and future college students who rely on some forms of federal financial aid to help pay educational costs. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the debt deal cut overall financial aid funding by $4.6 billion through 2021. This will increase costs for students by nearly $7.4 billion from 2012 through 2016.