A Few Measures of Ethnic Inequality in New Mexico

 Note:  there is a lot of information here.  I am trying to convey relative differences between ethnic groups in New Mexico as well as between New Mexico and the rest of the country (US)

1.  Income:  Average Household Income (WhNH=White Non Hispanic)

 2.  Poverty:  Percent Below Poverty Line

 Notice the sharp difference in poverty among New Mexico Native Americans conpared with Native Americans in the rest of the country

 3.  Education:  8th Grade Reading Scores

4/  Education:  Fourth Grade Reading Scores Since 1992






 Notice there is a tendency for Hispanics at the national level to be catching up slightly to the national White population:  but not in New Mexico, where Hispanics twenty years ago were ahead of their national counterparts, but now lag behind.  Also note the growing gap between national White scores and NM White scores.  Is this a commentary on New Mexico education?

5.  Education:  8th Grade Math Scores



 The pattern is clear.  Hispanic and Native American income levels and educational achievement are significantly below the national averages for Hispanic and Native Americans, and well below that of White Non-Hispanics who, in New Mexico, lag behind their White counterparts in the rest of the country.  As the graph of reading scores since 1992 shows, the gaps are not closing despite affirmative action programs, NGOs dedicated to reduce the gaps, and, at times state government action.  Given that 60% of the population below 18 years of age in New Mexico today is either Hispanic or Native American, New Mexico cannot possibly get the workforce we will likely need for a thriving economy in twenty or thirty years unless we improve education for Hispanics and Natives and get Anglos up to national speed.  If we don't turn around now, we just may get where we're going, and it isn't where we want to go.