by John Bear
Daily Lobo
New Mexico has had public schools in varying forms for hundreds of years, long before the creation of the United States.
Ernest Stapleton and John Mondrag¢n, retired UNM professors, wanted to write a book that told the entire story of public education in New Mexico, from the basic history of schools to the intricacies of administration.
The book begins with a historical overview of schools in New Mexico, ranging from pre-Columbian times all the way through statehood, in a conversational style. The main text is supplemented with anecdotes from the many different periods of New Mexican history. Both professors said they picked them up at different times.
Mondrag¢n said they were inspired to write the book because they didn't have a textbook for a class they both teach at UNM.
The course, Public Education in New Mexico, provides students with a broad overview of the school system, from finance and politics to the social aspects of the community the system serves.
Mondrag¢n said the course is for graduate students who will probably move on to careers as school administrators.
Both said such a comprehensive book has not been written on the subject.
Stapleton said he and Mondrag¢n looked all over the country for a book that described the public school system of a particular state but couldn't find one that provided a comprehensive picture.
"We looked at textbooks from around the country from different states and couldn't find too many that were complete texts about, say, public education in North Dakota," he said. "We did find one for Texas, but the way it was worked up and everything, we didn't like the model."
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He said they eventually came up with their own model for a book that broke every major topic down by chapter.
Mondrag¢n said they used the material they had written as text in class, but this summer would be the first time they would use it in book form.
After the first chapter, which belts out historical facts coupled with often-amusing human interest stories, is a chapter focused on how the schools are governed.
The book also deals with Indian education in the state of New Mexico, which the authors characterize as historically neglected.
"We looked at how schools are governed," he said. "We decided that one of the most overlooked areas we've seen for many years has been Indian education."
The authors said New Mexico seems to be making an effort to improve Indian education at the state and local levels.
Stapleton said alternative schools such as Freedom High School in Albuquerque have made progress since they were first introduced in the 1970s.
The book also discusses reforms that have been made and the future of public education in New Mexico.
Mondrag¢n said the textbook will help anyone who wants to know what public education is all about in New Mexico.
"We recommend that it be used by the current administration," he said. "Teachers, parents would benefit by it. We think that this is very important, because right now, we spend half the budget on school K-12. People need to be informed about where all this money is being spent."
