This commentary from Kathy Sandoval, Director of the Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Sciences at the University of New Mexico, appeared in Wednesday's Abq Tribune.
Sandoval provides an argument for accepting the proposed settlement negotiated with Qwest by the Governor and AG. $15
million in funding for our schools. Statewide.
Much has been written about the settlement Gov. Bill Richardson negotiated with Qwest. It was announced with much fanfare and, if approved by the Public Regulation Commission, will require Qwest to invest a quarter-billion dollars in New Mexico over the next several years.
That's good news for the state. Certainly, we need companies such as Qwest to invest in the state's infrastructure.
Telecommunications is the great equalizer. It keeps us all connected, and it allows small businesses in Deming, Angel Fire and Las Cruces to compete against the big boys in Boston, New York and Los Angeles.
But what has been lost in the shuffle is that Qwest has also committed to invest $15 million in New Mexico's schools as part of this settlement. And that investment is very much needed.
The statistics speak for themselves: According to Education Week's "Quality Counts 2005," New Mexico kids rank 49th in performance in National Assessment of Educational Progress exams. Also known as "the nation's report card," the exams assess student achievement in math, reading and writing in grades 4, 8 and 12.
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