Stefani Lord, a House Representative from New Mexico, said that real education reform modeled after successful states will require Republican victories and leadership in government. The statement was made on the social media platform X.
"I've been saying this for years, and it's time for action," said Lord, New Mexico State Representative for 22nd District (R). "We need to follow the examples set by states like Mississippi and prioritize our children's needs. The reality is clear: without a Republican governor and control of the House, we won't see any change. Talk means nothing if we can't secure victories at the polls."
Policy debates in New Mexico have centered around adopting reforms inspired by Mississippi's educational improvements. Supporters advocate for implementing early literacy policies, third-grade retention, and teacher development. However, critics argue these strategies may not fully address local challenges, as reported by Errors of Enchantment.
According to the New Mexico Political Report, the state ranked 50th in both reading and math on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress. This has prompted lawmakers to introduce bills aimed at expanding literacy coaching, Pre-K programs, and increasing school time to improve educational outcomes.
Wikipedia reports that Mississippi's Literacy-Based Promotion Act resulted in a 0.25 standard-deviation gain in fourth-grade NAEP reading and math scores between 2013 and 2024. This improvement moved the state from near the bottom to among the top 20 nationwide for elementary achievement.
Lord is a Republican New Mexico House Representative for District 22 since January 2021. She holds a B.S. in psychology, has managed a small business, and serves as Ranking Member on the Consumer & Public Affairs Committee, according to Ballotpedia.
