NM lawmaker asks schools to defy new education standards

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – House Minority Whip Rod Montoya is encouraging New Mexico schools to defy new social studies standards. In a letter, he calls the standards a quote “poorly disguised effort to indoctrinate students with critical theory and critical race theory.”

In the past, the state has said critical race theory isn’t included in the new standards, which will be put in place in the fall of 2023. They say right now, the curriculum needs an update because it doesn’t include major world events from the last 20 years. They also say they would like to add ethnic, cultural, and identity studies to the curriculum.

House Speaker Brian Egolf condemned the letter saying:

“It is disappointing but not surprising that Representative Rod Montoya and others in the House GOP continue to spread the lie that division is being taught in our schools. The words of elected officials have consequences and Representative Montoya should be ashamed to use our children and school teachers as pawns in his hateful game. The time has long passed for Representative Montoya to start telling the truth and join Democrats in fighting to make New Mexico a better place”

Statement from House Speaker Brian Egolf