NEW MEXICO GRADUATION EQUITY INITIATIVE

What Is The New Mexico Graduation Equity Initiative?

Testimony from New Mexican educational experts heard during the Yazzie-Martinez lawsuit made clear the inequities that pervade our school system. The goal of the New Mexico Graduation Equity Initiative (NMGEI) is to address the education system’s history of structural and inherent racism.

New Mexico’s high school students need a more expansive learning and assessment system that honors their cultural and linguistic strengths while providing feedback and other engaging opportunities—allowing students to take ownership of their learning, build strong identities, and see a rich future ahead.

Together with the New Mexico Public Education Department we are defining and piloting a new project-based graduation pathway that culminates with senior exhibitions to demonstrate learning, as an alternative to graduation options that require traditional testing.

What We’re Doing

Building the pathway to capstones as an equitable graduation assessment for all
Developing tools and resources for schools to develop a graduate profile and capstone graduation pathway in their communities
Enhancing the knowledge, awareness, and equitable approach to build capstone pathways in New Mexico
Facilitating the Innovative Assessment Community of Practice
Facilitating the Educator Community of Practice for Capstone Assessments
Holding Youth Participatory Action Research groups
Supporting Equity Council initiatives
Piloting capstone assessments in a variety of districts in 2022, with the goal of implementing capstones as a statewide option by fall 2023

What Is a Capstone?

The New Mexico Graduation Equity Initiative defines capstones as demonstrations of competency for graduation. A capstone is a months-long project rooted in authentic contexts and building on local assets and culture.

Students engage in active, self-directed, and community-based learning experiences to produce a body of work that teachers periodically assess for evidence of competence. Capstones result in public exhibitions of learning to school, family, and community.

What Is a Graduate Profile?

A graduate profile outlines the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that the local community identifies as important for graduates to have when they exit high school.

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A graduate profile often includes competencies beyond traditional academics, including employability and social-emotional skills that honor students’ cultural and linguistic identities.

Join the Initiative

The New Mexico Innovative Assessment Community of Practice (CoP) convenes educators and districts around the state who are interested in piloting new graduation options and alternative assessments.

Join the Community of Practice

What Is The New Mexico Graduation Equity Initiative?

Testimony from New Mexican educational experts heard during the Yazzie-Martinez lawsuit made clear the inequities that pervade our school system. The goal of the New Mexico Graduation Equity Initiative (NMGEI) is to address the education system’s history of structural and inherent racism.

New Mexico’s high school students need a more expansive learning and assessment system that honors their cultural and linguistic strengths while providing feedback and other engaging opportunities—allowing students to take ownership of their learning, build strong identities, and see a rich future ahead.

Together with the New Mexico Public Education Department we are defining and piloting a new project-based graduation pathway that culminates with senior exhibitions to demonstrate learning, as an alternative to graduation options that require traditional testing.

What We’re Doing

Facilitating the Innovative Assessment Community of Practice
Holding Youth Participatory Action Research groups
Supporting Equity Council initiatives
Piloting alternative assessments and new graduation pathways

What We’re Doing

Building the pathway to capstones as an equitable graduation assessment for all
Developing tools and resources for schools to develop a graduate profile and capstone graduation pathway in their communities
Enhancing the knowledge, awareness, and equitable approach to build capstone pathways in New Mexico
Facilitating the Innovative Assessment Community of Practice
Facilitating the Educator Community of Practice for Capstone Assessments
Holding Youth Participatory Action Research groups
Supporting Equity Council initiatives
Piloting capstone assessments in a variety of districts in 2022, with the goal of implementing capstones as a statewide option by fall 2023

WHAT IS A CAPSTONE?

The New Mexico Graduation Equity Initiative defines capstones as demonstrations of competency for graduation. A capstone is a months-long project rooted in authentic contexts and building on local assets and culture. Students engage in active, self-directed, and community-based learning experiences to produce a body of work that teachers periodically assess for evidence of competence. Capstones result in public exhibitions of learning to school, family, and community.

WHAT IS A GRADUATE PROFILE?

A graduate profile outlines the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that the local community identifies as important for graduates to have when they exit high school. A graduate profile often includes competencies beyond traditional academics, including employability and social-emotional skills that honor students’ cultural and linguistic identities.

Join the Initiative

The New Mexico Innovative Assessment Community of Practice (CoP) convenes educators and districts around the state who are interested in piloting new graduation options and alternative assessments.

Join the Community of Practice