EXCERPT FROM: Parent In Education Lawsuit Shares What She Wants To See Change

January 25, 2019 – Wilhelmina Yazzie (Navajo) lives in Gallup and wanted better academic support for her son. She was one of the parents listed in a combined lawsuit that argued that the state’s public education system is not meeting constitutional requirements to provide equal access to education, particularly for economically disadvantaged students, Native Americans, students with disabilities and English Language learners.

Judge Sarah Singleton ruled last year that New Mexico is not adequately funding education, and gave state officials a deadline of spring 2019 to address issues in schools across the state. Ms. Yazzie and a lawyer with the Center on Law and poverty sat down in July with then-New Mexico in Focus producer Sarah Gustavus to discuss the case. NMiF excerpted a portion of the interview for air in this week’s episode; the full segment can be found here: Parent In Education Lawsuit Shares What She Wants To See Change

 

Guest:
Wilhelmina Yazzie (Navajo), parent and plaintiff
Preston Sanchez, attorney, New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty