NEW MEXICO GRADUATION EQUITY INITIATIVE
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?
Join the 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
- 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?
Join the Initiative

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
it shifts from having to do something to doing
"When students are provided the opportunity
to choose a topic they are passionate about,
something that makes sense. It creates a love for
learning, and a state where there is no failure.
Education fundamentally shifts to an understanding
about how students contribute to the well-being
of their communities."
- Regis Pecos
Former Governor, Cochiti Pueblo


WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Regis Pecos
Former Governor, Cochiti Pueblo
"When students are provided the
do something to doing something that
makes sense. It creates a love for learning,
and a state where there is no failure.
Education fundamentally shifts to an
understanding about how students
contribute to the well-being of
their communities."
passionate about, it shifts from having to
opportunity to choose a topic they are
Equity in Education Series

Equity in Education Series
WHAT ARE THEY SAYING:
- Students are paired with local employers to provide meaningful work experiences
- Students are paid, receiving a monthly stipend
- X3 works with schools in historically underserved communities
- Mentors and employer are fully supported by the X3 team


Capstones Better Prepare Native Students for College and Careers

Capstones Are the Cure for Teacher Burnout

Capstones Are Not Harder to Grade. Here’s Why.

Top 7 Myths About Capstones

Teachers of New Mexico: the Nation is Watching and Taking Your Lead

Equity Report 2021

What is the New Mexico Graduation Equity Initiative?

We Made a Promise in 2020. Here’s How We Delivered.

The Power of Learning from Experience

We Know Capstones Already Work, Why Aren’t We Using Them?

How New Mexico is Working to Decolonize Curriculum

How Equity and Assessment Reinforce Each Other

Capstones Better Prepare Native Students for College and Careers

Capstones Are the Cure for Teacher Burnout
