A reader from Néw Mexico describes what is at stake in the Democratic primary for Governor:
“Last week teachers in New Mexico were shocked, dismayed, and horrified with their VAM scores from the Pretend Secretary of Education Skandera’s office. She has not been confirmed since she was nominatedf 3 1/2 years ago.
“When our Koch-funded, anti-union and anti-public education Governor ran for office she promised that she would import Jeb Bush’s Florida Model of school reform. Surprisingly, many educators voted against public education by voting for her and are now shocked that she kept her campaign promise.
“Fast forward to her re-election. There are five candidates who are trying to get the nomination to run against her. One has no money and no campaign staff. One is the son of a former popular governor who only has name recognition. One sends all three of his children to charter schools, supports vouchers and is not always into collective bargaining. One is a transplanted millionaire who believes in using the business model for most things. The last one is a state senator who has worked hard to get good public education legislation passed. He taught for seven years and has his PhD in education. He has been endorsed by AFT-NM, AFSCME-NM, and of course you, Diane. He is truly the only candidate running that can beat our punitive governor.
“There are 23,000 educators in the state of NM. If each one showed up and voted for the educator who is running, we would be done with these ridiculous policies and move on to teaching. VAM would be history. However, many teachers are once again not voting for their best interest or for the best interest of public education.
“The Primary is in two days. Let’s hope teachers in New Mexico wake up and show their power by voting for the educator, Howie Morales. Just think of the message teachers would be sending supporters of the corporate “reformers.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Diane, you are completely wrong about Alan Webber, candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor in New Mexico. He is a progressive Democrat and a huge fan of yours. He speaks out on education all over the state, exposing and lambasting the Educational Industrial Complex every chance he gets. He hates charters and Pearson and all the rest and is a true friend of teachers – and they know that. To describe Alan as a transplanted business models advocate and millionaire is flat out wrong. When he wins in November, he will one of the best friends you have as you seek leaders to counter the so-called reformers.
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Steve Newman,
I did not characterize Alan Webber. I didn’t write the post. I quoted someone who sent it as a comment. I am glad to hear there is another progressive Democrat in the race. New Mexico needs better leadership.
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No worries. Keep your eye on Alan. He is picking up steam and will pull an upset in the primary on Tuesday. After that, the race will go national as Susana Martinez is the darling of the Republicans only because she is Hispanic and female. Alan believes there is a better way in New Mexico and strengthening public servants, education, especially preK education, and bolstering home grown entrepreneurship is the way to go. He is sick of investments coming in from other states that use New Mexico as a dumping ground for low wage jobs. Yes, you didn’t characterize Alan. Excuse me Diane. You and Alan are my two favorite hangouts on the internet. And, while I am here, get well soon -we need you at full strength!
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xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I’m really glad to hear this. I thought it was all over in New Mexico when Skandera started peddling the “Florida Miracle a year or two ago.
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Since when does the simple word “new” have an accent mark? Please leave it off.
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Susan Nunes, I don’t know why the accent appears and I don’t know how to make it go away. Any ideas?
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Wow, Susan, you’re right about the mechanics.
But that would be Diane’s biggest fault . . . . .
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lol
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Linda Lopez is running for NM governor and she’s outstanding. She is informed about the issues, states her views on them clearly, and is a supporter of pubic education. She has no money, but she’s got 18 years experience as a state senator. During her terms, she has held up the approval of our secretary of education DESIGNATE. She’s still not confirmed and the gov is running for a second term. Linda also has consistently authored and supported pro education legislation. She has served on significant and important committees, too. She is tireless and would make a great governor. She has little money because she’s not for sale, the way ALL of the other dems and Martinez are. Google her name and follow her You Tube campaign. It’s all she can afford. Oh, and at a meeting on Friday evening she said that the day she becomes governor (it happens at midnight) that by 12:06 the RULE that created VAM in NM will be eliminated. She knows about teacher evaluation.
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Thank you Rick for pointing this out about Linda Lopez. She is the only candidate that promises to END evaluation based on standardized test scores not just reduce them to 20% of our evaluation.
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Many in NM feel that Linda Lopez’ platform is that she is a Latina. And we need more than that to go against Susana Martinez. Senator Lopez is indeed against the rule and has promised that at NOON on January 1 she will do away with VAM. Senator Morales also knows about teacher evaluations and got a fair and good one passed two years ago but Governor Martinez vetoed it and made by rule the punitive one. Morales spoke at the Albuquerque Teachers Federation last week during the meeting about the newly released VAM scores. Members left the meeting and early voted for him after hearing him talk out against the Florida Model of education reform. He is, as Linda is, against VAM-
Linda Lopez is a remarkable legislator. However, she did not get enough votes at the Democratic Party Pre-Primary Convention to even get on the ballot. Unfortunately, one does need money to run a campaign and Senator Lopez has not been able to raise funds. Howie Morales has received his money from organized labor and small contributions from voters. His money does not come from out-of-state wealthy donors.
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It’s really, really sad that now, the every election, we have to worry about the extent to which the next fool is going to try to micromanage classrooms.
$&*$#&*$&*&!*(!#!!!!!!!
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with every election
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Thank you, Diane Ravitch, for working so tirelessly to keep people informed about which candidates around the country are Deformish!
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Howie Morales could reverse the corrosive policies of Susana Martinez. With a PhD in Education, he would be the only candidate I know of who could reasonably create policy for education. I do not care what credentials the other candidates have…have they ever taught in a classroom? Our state is a microcosm of the national battle for control of public schools. Do we want people who “have an understanding” of the situation? Or, do we want a leader to put an end to the viscous attacks against teachers, schools, and FREE, PUBLIC education? As a teacher, I have worked hard to support Mr. Morales- because it is the right thing to do. I so hope that all of the educators and support personnel get out to vote, and show Mrs. Martinez and Ms. Skandera that we are not interested in their vision for the future. I believe that Howie could beat Martinez, but no one else could…
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Agreed Hannah! Howie Morales is the only candidate who has the knowledge needed to rebuild our states economy. He us the only candidate with hands on experience crafting a state budget. We will need that expertise to rebuild our economy after Susanas destroyed it. Hes stood up for public education against corporate reforms since 2011, long before any of us knew how insidious these policies would be. Linda Lopez platform of “Latina vs Latina” is not a platform at all. Alan Webber has promised to increase funding to public ed, accompanied by a measurable percentage increase by a certain data. This sounds oddly like Susanas supposed “improvements” to public ed. Lawrence Rael children attend charter schools. Howie sees the value in an improved evaluation system for teachers and legitimate assessments for students. A teacher who votes for anyone but Morales has had a hand in their own demise.
Theres a reason preprimary delegates chose him as the front runner. Linda Lopez ignored the voices of the delegates outright, neither she nor Gary King should even be in the race.
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Well-said, Hannah Wecks. Let’s make history tomorrow in New Mexico.
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