Education

 

We know our students are capable of much more, that’s why schools are making transformative improvements to support student success. New Mexico is expanding career and technical education, offering nearly universal access to high-quality early childhood education programs, and implementing research-backed literacy instruction to guarantee lasting academic and career success.

Progress is happening, but we all need to get involved to give our kids the education and opportunities they deserve.

And it starts with learning more about what’s happening in New Mexico schools.

 

 

CTE Programs

Expanded career and technical education programs will allow more students to graduate high school with the skills and qualifications needed for successful careers in high-demand local industries. By increasing the availability and quality of these programs, schools will provide clear pathways to employment.

  • Developing and implementing new programs to support diverse career pathways.
  • Building industry partnerships aligned to local industry demands.
  • Offering work-based learning opportunities to over 9,000 students across 23 counties to provide them with important job skills.
  • Improving innovation zones that focus on work-based learning and career & technical education.

 

Universal Childcare and Preschool

  • Childcare and early childhood education for nearly all families will set the stage for long-term academic and developmental success.
  • Providing near universal access to childcare and early childhood education.
  • Creating the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department to develop and implement ECE initiatives.
  • Refining accountability systems to ensure Early Childhood Education initiatives are making an impact in students’ lives.
  • Aligning Early Childhood Education curriculum to focus on early literacy building blocks.

 

Teacher Recruitment and Retention

Attracting and retaining excellent teachers for early childhood education will ensure that young learners receive the strong foundation essential to their long-term academic success.

  • Supporting teacher talent with professional development tools and resources.
  • Training teachers in the latest, most effective research-based methods.

 

Literacy Instruction

Adopting teaching methods grounded in the latest research on effective literacy instruction will improve literacy and increase the number of students reading at grade level.

  • Implementing a free summer reading program with 4-6 weeks of small group instruction for K-9 students.
  • Providing free tutoring support to at-risk students.
  • Building a state-wide shared understanding of gaps and opportunities in literacy.
  • Supporting access to and use of research-based texts and tools.
  • Retraining teachers and principals in effective literacy instruction.
  • Revamping education prep programs to focus on evidence-based literacy instruction.