BACKGROUND REPORT Developed for the 2010 New Mexico First town halls A reference guide for participants Town Halls May 5-6 Southeastern NM , hosted in Roswell May 12-13 Southwestern NM , hosted in Las Cruces May 19-20 Northern NM, hosted in Las Vegas June 10-11 Central NM , hosted in Albuquerque Copyright 2010 New Mexico First 320 Gold Avenue SW Suite 300 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102 Phone: 505-241-4813 Fax: 505-241-4819 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nmfirst.org Permission is typically granted to reproduce all or part of this document for educational or public policy purposes, subject to approval by New Mexico First . Contact us for reproduction authorization. 3 Raising the Aspirations of New Mexico Youth TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE About this Report .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 About New Mexico First ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4 The Town Hall Process .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4 This Report .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Authors .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Research Committee .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Town Hall Sponsors ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 INTRODUCTION CARING ADULTS The Best Way to Spend Retirement .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8 A Church Community that Cares ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Homeless Youth Finds Caring Adults ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9 The More Advocates, the Better ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Support for Young Parents .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Discussion Ideas .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITIES Safe Environment, Healthy Choices ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 11 Future Healthcare Workers ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 12 Building Relationships ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Rural Revitalization ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Students teaching Students ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13 Discussion Ideas .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 EXPANDED HORIZONS The Power of Curiosity… and Pizza ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 15 Old Ways, New Worlds ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Learning Through Inquiry ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 16 A Place to Go and Explore ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Discussion Ideas .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 SCHOOLS FOR EVERYONE Bridging the Achievement Gap ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Learning Anywhere, Anytime ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Community-based, Mission-focused Schools .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 Trouble with the Law .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 20 Early College High Schools .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Staying in College ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 21 Discussion Ideas .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21 MULTIPLE PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS Literacy through Storytelling ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Building the Entrepreneurial Spirit .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 23 Training in the Arts...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23 Youth Corps… Plus! ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23 Discusssion Ideas .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................