For Immediate Release
Senator John Sapien Receives ‘Outstanding Policymaker’ Award
Senator John Sapien (D, Dist. 9-Bernalillo and Sandoval) became only the eighth lawmaker in the nation and the first in New Mexico to be awarded the “Outstanding Policymaker Award” in the 120-year history of the College Board.
Those who are bestowed the award must have demonstrated a comprehensive and cumulative record of a passion for education, worked to close the opportunity gaps of underprivileged students to go to college and have a long and demonstrated record of working for students and education, according to Michelle Arnold, the College Board’s executive director of Government Relations.
“Senator Sapien has proven that he’s open to new ideas and always wants to learn more,” Arnold says. “He’s been a proponent of Advanced Placement programs and has helped drive down the opportunity gaps for students in New Mexico.
“Not many people receive this award. It’s usually a surprise to whoever receives them.”
On behalf of College Board, Senator Gabriel Ramos (D, Dist. 28-Catorn, Grant and Socorro) presented Senator Sapien with an “Outstanding Policymaker” plaque and a New Mexico Senate Certificate of Recognition during the New Mexico Senate’s Floor Session on Saturday, February 15, 2020.
The non-profit College Board (collegeboard.org) is based in New York, City, and administers the Advanced Placement Program in New Mexico, as well as the PSAT, SAT and CLEP tests to high school students. The state recently began to administer PSAT testing to high school sophomores in New Mexico and the SAT to high school juniors, replacing the PARCC tests.
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