Attorney General Raúl Torrez today released the New Mexico Department of Justice’s investigative report into student discipline practices at Gallup-McKinley County Schools (GMCS), finding that the district relies on out-of-school suspensions at some of the highest rates in New Mexico and that Native American and Hispanic students are disciplined more frequently and more severely than their White peers.

“Every child deserves an equal opportunity to learn in a safe and supportive school environment. Our investigation found that Gallup-McKinley County Schools relies too heavily on exclusionary discipline and that these practices disproportionately affect Native American and Hispanic students. The loss of instructional time has real consequences for academic success and future opportunity. This report is intended to provide a roadmap for reforms that promote accountability, fairness, and better outcomes for students.” – AG Torrez