Ant Thornton, the state senator for New Mexico’s District 19, advocated for expanding the use of the "science of reading" methodology throughout the entire year rather than limiting it to summer school. This statement was made on X.
"I'm glad to see that NM educators are finally using the “science of reading," said Thornton. "It's unfortunate that we are only using this methodology for summer school. It should be taught year round. The bill passed the Senate and was killed in the House."
New Mexico has been grappling with ongoing challenges in childhood literacy, consistently ranking near the bottom nationally in reading proficiency. In response to these challenges, the state allocated $30 million in 2024 to fund a new summer reading program. This initiative offers four- to six-week literacy instruction for students from kindergarten through ninth grade and emphasizes small-group instruction by trained teachers to address individual student needs. Despite these efforts, New Mexico continues to rank lower compared to other states, underscoring persistent challenges in improving literacy outcomes.
According to data from the New Mexico Public Education Department, 61% of school districts and charter schools reported gains in student reading proficiency during the 2023–2024 academic year, as measured by MSSA and SAT results. However, only 20% of fourth-grade students achieved proficiency on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in 2024. These findings indicate some progress but also highlight a continued gap in literacy achievement across the state.
Over the past decade, Mississippi and New Mexico have experienced differing outcomes in reading scores. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that Mississippi increased its average NAEP fourth-grade reading score to 217 in 2022, with 31% of students reaching proficiency. In comparison, New Mexico scored slightly higher at 224; however, only 20% of students achieved proficiency. Mississippi's gains are attributed to structured literacy reforms, while New Mexico's progress has been slower.
Anthony "Ant" Thornton is a state senator representing District 19 after being elected in 2024. A retired aerospace engineer, Thornton was also the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 2022. He advocates for stronger family values, educational improvement, and economic growth—aligning with his party’s legislative priorities.
