July 1, 2025
ESPAÑOLA NM – The LANL Foundation is honored to be selected as a key partner in supporting the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) and WestEd in the development of the Comprehensive Remedial Action Plan in response to the Martinez/Yazzie decision.
The Martinez/Yazzie lawsuit affirmed the state’s constitutional obligation to provide all students, particularly those who are Native American, English learners, students with disabilities, and those from low-income families, with access to a sufficient and equitable public education. The Action Plan aims to meet this obligation through systemic and sustainable reforms rooted in the needs and strengths of New Mexico’s diverse communities.
“The LANL Foundation is deeply committed to improving educational outcomes for all students in New Mexico,” said Dr. Gwen Perea Warniment, President and CEO of the LANL Foundation. “We are honored to bring our expertise and readiness to assist PED and WestEd in completing a transparent, trustworthy, and inclusive Action Plan that reflects the priorities of communities across the state.”
The LANL Foundation brings decades of experience in community-based education work, grantmaking, and stakeholder engagement across Northern New Mexico and beyond. Its approach is grounded in deep respect for local knowledge, a commitment to equity and cultural responsiveness, and a belief that meaningful progress in education must be shaped in collaboration with those most impacted.
“Authentic community engagement is at the heart of our mission,” said Dr. Perea Warniment. “We look forward to working in partnership with students, families, tribal governments, educators, and advocates to ensure the Action Plan is not only comprehensive but also grounded in lived experience.”
As this work progresses, the LANL Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to helping build a public education system where every child in New Mexico is supported to thrive, now and for generations to come.
The New Mexico Public Education Department’s original release is included below:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: New Mexico Public Education Department
Janelle Taylor García, Ph.D., janelle.garcia@ped.nm.gov, 505-709-5543
PED partners with LANL Foundation and WestEd on Martinez/Yazzie action plan
July 1, 2025
SANTA FE – Today, the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) announced a partnership with the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Foundation and WestEd to facilitate the development and drafting of the Martinez/Yazzie remedial action plan.
The LANL Foundation will focus on organizing and supporting stakeholder engagement to inform the development and completion of the remedial action plan, while WestEd will focus on the development of the plan itself.
The PED released a Request for Interest (RFI) document on June 6, outlining the scope of the action plan project and identifying key requirements for applicants. In evaluating submissions, the PED, with support from the Legislative Education Study Committee, considered the unique nature of education in New Mexico, the court’s direction regarding stakeholder engagement and other factors.
WestEd is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that aims to improve the lives of children and adults at all ages of learning and development. WestEd partners with policymakers, district leaders, school leaders, communities and others, providing a broad range of tailored services, including research and evaluation, professional learning, technical assistance and policy guidance.
The LANL Foundation is a regional nonprofit founded in 1997. Initially established to develop and support learning opportunities for children and youth, the LANL Foundation currently focuses on education as a means to enrich the lives and economic opportunities of residents of seven northern New Mexico counties, including eighteen Native American Pueblos, Tribes, and Nations.
The Martinez/Yazzie remedial action plan will outline how the state will meet its constitutional obligation to provide all New Mexico students—particularly those at risk due to socioeconomic status, language barriers, disability or tribal affiliation—with access to a uniform and sufficient education.
A draft action plan is scheduled for court submission by October 1, 2025, and the final version by November 3.
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The New Mexico Public Education Department partners with educators, communities and families to ensure that all students are healthy, secure in their identity and holistically prepared for college, career and life. Currently, the PED serves about 320,000 students in 189 districts and charter schools. Find an abundance of resources for administrators, educators, families and students at New Mexico Public Education Department (state.nm.us) or follow the PED on Facebook and Instagram.
