Nearly half of New Mexico's elementary and middle school students are now reading at grade level, according to the latest statewide assessment results. Reading proficiency for grades 3-8 has increased by 10 percentage points since 2022, reaching 44% in 2025. Students in grades 3, 6, and 8 achieved the highest one-year gains recorded on the New Mexico Measures of Student Success and Achievement.
Public Education Secretary Mariana D. Padilla said, "These results confirm that the state’s investments in early literacy and the science of reading are working." She noted that improvements were most notable among groups that have historically faced challenges. Native American students improved by 13 percentage points, Hispanic students by 10 points, and English learners by 8 points, helping to close achievement gaps across the state.
The state adopted structured literacy instruction in 2020, grounding reading teaching in research about how children learn to read. Pre-K through fifth-grade teachers have been trained in this approach, and summer reading programs have expanded to serve over 16,000 students in two years.
Despite gains in reading scores, math proficiency remained largely unchanged. High school math proficiency on the SAT decreased from 16% in 2022 to 12% in 2025. However, SAT reading and writing scores improved across all student subgroups. Science scores for grades 5, 8, and 11 showed little change.
Padilla emphasized the need for similar long-term investments in math and science as those made for literacy. Recommendations include early math screening to identify learning gaps, professional development for teachers modeled on the literacy program, increased legislative investment in evidence-based math instruction, improved educator preparation programs for math methods, year-round tutoring for struggling students, and hands-on professional learning for teachers.
"These data tell a clear story," said Padilla. "Our literacy investments are producing results, but sustained focus and funding are needed in math and science to ensure all students graduate ready for college and career." The New Mexico Public Education Department will continue refining assessments to provide useful data for educators.
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