Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2024
CONTACT
Julia Sclafani
Public Relations Specialist
Email: julia.sclafani@ececd.nm.gov
Mobile: (505) 699–5937
1120 Paseo De Peralta
Santa Fe, NM 87501
A presentation at the National Forum on Education Policy spotlights the alignment of special education services starting in early childhood
SANTA FE — New Mexico’s cradle-to-career approach to aligning special education was in the spotlight Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Washington, D.C. at the National Forum on Education Policy hosted by the Education Commission of the States (ECS).
Elizabeth Groginsky, Secretary of New Mexico’s Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) and ECS commissioner, and Dr. Tyre’ Jenkins, Deputy Director of the Office of Special Education at New Mexico’s Public Education Department presented at the forum on the state’s innovative and collaborative efforts to advance positive outcomes for students in special education.
In a first-ever call by the Education Commission of the States for outside presentations, New Mexico’s Education Secretaries’ proposal “Improving Outcomes for Students in Special Education from Cradle to Career” was among the 20 selected presentations from nearly 200 submissions. It also represented the only presentation discussing special education.
In May 2023, the PED Office of Special Education was created through Executive Order 2023-062 by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham with the goal of establishing consistent, statewide standards and goals for special education and to collect and report data to inform policies and programs. This executive order elevated PED’s existing special education division to a governor-appointed, cabinet-level office, making New Mexico one of only a few states to align governance and oversight of special education in this way.
“It’s exciting to share New Mexico’s bold strategies to improve outcomes for students with special needs with educational leaders from across the country,” said ECECD Secretary Groginsky. “Early childhood is the most critical and rapid period of human brain development and growth which is why Gov. Lujan Grisham is focused on building a cohesive, family-centered, early childhood system that delivers culturally responsive, high-quality programs and services to children and their families.”
“In a steadfast commitment to improving outcomes for students with disabilities from cradle to career, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has supported transformative measures in special education. Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Margaret Cage, the Office of Special Education has undertaken intentional and collaborative steps to meet the requirements and spirit of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2024. This initiative represents a significant stride toward providing comprehensive and equitable education for all students” said Dr. Jenkins.
New Mexico is one of only three states that administers their preschool special education programs through a collaboration between their early childhood and K–12 education departments. As part of this initiative, the preschool special education 619 Coordinator and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B-619 grant will be transferred to ECECD, enabling a sustained partnership and improved outcomes for students with disabilities.
The Office of Special Education website can be found here. Read more about New Mexico’s delivery of early childhood special education on ECECD’s website here.
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Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham launched the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) in 2020, making New Mexico among the first states to consolidate all early childhood programs and services under a single cabinet-level agency. Under this administration, ECECD has led the nation by expanding access to free New Mexico PreK, overseeing the largest investment in early childhood infrastructure in state history, and implementing cost-free child care for a majority of New Mexico families. Learn more about how ECECD supports children, families, and the early childhood professionals that serve our communities at nmececd.org. On Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as @NewMexicoECECD.