By KRWG News
New Mexico – Gov.-elect Susana Martinez has made her pick for New Mexico's next public education secretary a woman who led school reforms in Florida.
A Martinez aide, speaking on condition of anonymity because the governor-elect plans to make the announcement later Tuesday, says the nominee is Hanna Skandera of Dallas.
Skandera was Florida's deputy commissioner of education from 2005 to 2007.
Under former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Skandera implemented reforms at middle schools and high schools that were aimed at improving accountability and giving incentives for high academic performance while ending social promotions.
More recently, Skandera was senior policy adviser at the U.S. Department of Education. She has served as education undersecretary for California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and as education policy adviser during Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.