.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico Secretary of Education Hanna Skandera is now head of the governing board for the controversial PARCC test.

She was unanimously elected to the role about a month ago.

As chair, she is responsible for leading meetings and speaking on behalf of the board. The position is not paid.

All states using the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers assessment have a seat on the governing board. Skandera has been New Mexico’s representative since the state joined the PARCC consortium in 2011.

Designed to align with Common Core standards, PARCC is more rigorous than New Mexico’s previous standardized tests. It was administered for the first time last spring, generating protests and student walk-outs.

In an emailed statement, the New Mexico Public Education Department lauded Skandera’s promotion.

“Secretary Skandera’s role on the PARCC Governing Board now gives New Mexico an even bigger seat at the table when it comes to making decisions and shaping the future of high quality assessments in New Mexico and across America,” it states. “Her unanimous selection as chair of the board shows that New Mexico is a national leader when it comes to giving our students and parents the honest academic check-up they deserve.”