Family Income Index (FII)

During the 2021 Legislative Session, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed Senate Bill 17 into law. Passed in the Senate (35-6) on March 13 and in the House (52-18) on March 19th, the Family Income Index focuses on addressing the impacts of poverty on academic performance.

In partnership with the Taxation and Revenue and Human Services departments, the Family Income Index strives to provide resources critical to quality education to New Mexico students living with concentrated poverty. This additional funding is provided directly to schools serving low-income populations with a goal to raise reading and math proficiencies while focusing on the social and emotional needs of students.

Research has long indicated that concentrated poverty complicates teaching and learning, as well as creates and sustains educational disparities. By providing $15 million in additional funding for the highest populations of low-income students, the State of New Mexico has committed to providing economically disadvantaged students with improved access to strategies, tools and interventions to close gaps and improve academic achievement.

Specifically for providing students with reading and math interventions, school counselors and social workers, wellness spaces and access to technology and 21st century skills, Family Income Index has also been used to create family resource centers, community school resources, after-school enrichment programs, and providing teachers with high-quality professional development opportunities and culturally-relevant classroom materials.