New Mexico Foundation for Open Government reminds all school districts to publish accountability reports

The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government is reminding school districts across the state of the requirement to publish their annual accountability reports by Nov. 15, 2024, as required by NMSA 1978 22-2C-11.

“This annual district report card is vital information that increases the transparency and accountability of public schools,” Melanie Majors, FOG executive director, said. “Publication of the report is a legal obligation for all public and charter schools.”

Accountability reports include data such as the district’s mission, vision and goals; strengths and opportunities for improvement; school safety; teacher and staff information as well as results from standards-based assessments; graduation rates; and absenteeism rates.

“These reports provide information that helps parents and the public make informed choices,” Majors said. “It is a way to show improvements and where additional progress is needed.”

The New Mexico statute mandating the publication of the School District Report Card is NMSA 1978 22-2C-11. The law requires dissemination of the report by November 15th of each year to “ensure effective communication with parents, students, educators, local policymakers and business and community organizations.”

As the state’s leading advocate for transparency in government, NMFOG’s mission is to defend the public’s right to know and to shed light on the public’s and government agencies’ rights and responsibilities under New Mexico’s open-meetings and open-records laws. FOG was incorporated in 1989 and as a tax-exempt is a 501(c) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.