Posted at: 07/03/2009 10:57 PM
By: Cris Ornelas, Eyewitness News 4; Charlie Pabst, KOB.com

Governor receives education award

Governor Richardson

Governor Bill Richardson was named America's Greatest Education Governor of the Year Friday in San Diego, but some in the state are rolling their eyes at the idea.

They say Richardson should be here fixing New Mexico's ailing education system, not in California getting an award.

The National Education Association presented Richardson with the award, but the award has ignited a debate about the job the governor has done with New Mexico's schools.

Richardson thanked 10,000 educators from around the country as he accepted the award, and New Mexico's Secretary of Education says he deserves the title.

"All of these reforms take time to really take hold, but we know that he has laid a strong foundation that will lead to a better future for our students in the long run," Education Secretary Dr. Veronica Garcia said Friday.

State republicans say the governor's education record is nothing to be proud of.

Prospective republican gubernatorial candidate Allen Weh said, "On education, Richardson and Denish have failed and they failed miserably." The GOP points to New Mexico's graduation rate. Education Week recently ranked New Mexico 48th in the country for high school graduation rates.

The report says only 56% of high school students in the class of 2006 graduated.

The Secretary of Education says criticism like that is unfair. "One statistic cannot be a grade for our entire educational system," Garcia said.

The NEA says Richardson stands out for extending kindergarten to a full day and for raising teacher salaries.

Richardson is just the second recipient of the award.