The New Mexico Public Education Department says it will remove a rule that prohibits teachers from making disparaging remarks about standardized tests.
Department spokesman Robert McEntryre confirmed Monday that officials are working on getting rid of the rule and have never used it against any teacher anyway.
The move comes after the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico filed a lawsuit in March challenging a regulation that prohibits New Mexico teachers and other public school employees from criticizing standardized tests.
The ACLU said the provision against making disparaging statements could result in a license suspension or revocation for teachers and other educators.
ACLU-NM Staff Attorney María Mártinez Sánchez says the group is pleased the department is ending this "unconstitutional gag rule."
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