Bilingual education programs are offered in thousands of public schools across the United States; however, New Mexico is the only state where the right to learn Spanish is provided for in the constitution.

The New Mexico International School, for example, offers secondary and primary education in two languages, and programs like this are championed by Latino families who want their children to cultivate the cultural roots of origin. They are also seen by education experts as the best way for English language learners to excel in public schools, the “K-12”.

However, there is an important issue for lawmakers in the nation’s most Hispanic state: New Mexico’s language programs are not being used by the students who need them most.

According to the NBC News, “Legislative analysts are expected in the coming weeks to release a report that will highlight challenges facing dual language and other multicultural programs. It will include a look at decades-old trends such as a lack of oversight by education officials, declining participation, and a reduction in the number of multicultural programs, said Legislative Finance Committee spokesman Jon Courtney”.

“New Mexico officials have appropriated millions of dollars to support curriculum projects, but much of the funds go unspent. Advocates say one problem is the time in which grants must be spent, from less than a year to sometimes as short as a month before it reverts back to the state”.

In this regard, the New Mexico Department of Public Education initiated a series of forums for families based on the Hispanic Education Act, a state law that informs multicultural programs to the population.

At New Mexico International School in Albuquerque, about half of the students are Latino, reflecting the city's population. Many of these students’ family members are trying to recover their source language.

According to the observation of a student’s mother attending the international school, published by NBC, “there’s so much shame that gets placed on the Spanish language or the culture itself,” she said. “Some families might not be aware that being bilingual is a huge strength not just culturally but also professionally”.

“Fans of New Mexico’s programs say they elevate Spanish speakers’ skills and give them confidence in an environment where everyone is equal as they learn a new language. The programs also increase fluency and literacy in their home language. […] When it comes to languages spoken by New Mexico’s Native American tribes and pueblos, there are some state laws that protect student rights. Still, only two dual language programs are offered in Native American languages — both in Diné, the language of the Navajo people”.

Although there is no consensus among educators on how best to teach languages to young children, a New Mexico court in 2018 concluded that well-run two-language programs are the “gold standard” for English learners.