The head of the American Federation of Teachers is visiting New Mexico to push the importance of early childhood education.
Union officials say president Randi Weingarten met with local AFT leaders, teachers, parents and community members Monday morning at the Parkside Child Development Center in Albuquerque.
Weingarten is also visiting Santa Fe, where she will meet with Santa Fe Mayor David Coss, educators and others who are rallying for the "Keep the Promise" agenda as the New Mexico Legislature gets ready to begin its 30-day session.
The campaign centers on concerns over increasing class sizes, decreasing diversity in curriculums and controversial teacher evaluations and student testing.
Also, finding a permanent source of funding for efforts to improve early childhood education is expected to be hashed out during the session.
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