New Mexico lawmakers advance Native American education bills

By CEDAR ATTANASIO
Associated Press / Report for American

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Legislature is once again considering a suite of bills that would increase funding for Native American tribal education departments and tribal libraries. The measures are backed by tribal leaders frustrated with slow progress by the state. The school, library, and teacher training funding bills advanced on Monday from the House Education Committee, mostly along party lines with the Democratic majority. Supporters say the bills would help the state to satisfy a court order to improve education for Native American students. Critics are raising questions about how the effectiveness of the spending would be tracked.