Thank you all for your advocacy efforts for HB167 and for funding increases in Adult Education, Adult Literacy, and High School Equivalency.
We are asking now for a final, very important push for adult literacy funding and for HB167.
Please call and email all members of the Senate Finance Committee, as well as your own Senators. Do it every day until the Senate takes this up. Request this:
- $4m to NMHED for Adult Literacy
- New Mexico is 50th for adult literacy in the nation
- Less than 1% of the need is currently being met. Large literacy deserts in the state.
- 18 programs have been sharing only $750k.
- HB2 currently lists only $1.25m for Adult Literacy. The Senate must increase this to $4m.
- We need to expand adult literacy programs, establish family literacy programs, and onboard more teachers and tutors to meet the need.
- Our children's educational outcomes are most strongly correlated with the adult caregivers' literacy levels.
- Pass HB167
- HB167 provides free high school equivalency tests (GED and HiSET) for all eligible New Mexico residents.
- New Mexico is currently 47th in the nation for the percentage of adults without a high school diploma or equivalent. This bill will finally move the needle on this statistic.
- Exam costs are currently $145, which is a huge barrier for many NM adults - our students - without a high school diploma.
- This bill helps extend this to all New Mexicans, including those who, due to life circumstances, were not able to complete their HSD in the typical amount of time, but who still want the opportunity to move ahead in life and access family-sustaining careers.
Thank you all so much for all you have done this legislative session. We are being heard, and with your continued efforts, we will never be an afterthought of education again!
Kim Godfrey
Literacy Link -Leamos
