New Mexico has made significant strides in improving literacy rates among its students, particularly in historically underserved groups. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and state education leaders have invested over $250 million in literacy initiatives since 2019, with a focus on evidence-based reading instruction for pre-K through sixth grade educators.
Structured Literacy Approach
The state’s approach, known as Structured Literacy, emphasizes systematic and cumulative teaching, explicit instruction, and the use of instructional data to adapt instruction. This approach has led to notable gains in reading proficiency, with Native American students improving by 13 percentage points, economically disadvantaged students by 12 points, Hispanic students by 10 points, and English learners by 8 points.
The state has also established the High-Quality Literacy Instruction Act, which codifies evidence-based Structured Literacy practices into state law. The legislation requires K-3 reading assessments, family notification, and individualized student intervention plans for struggling students.
New Mexico’s progress demonstrates that improvement is possible even in states facing longstanding structural inequities. The state’s sustained investment in literacy has the potential to change lives and improve future well-being, including graduation rates, workforce readiness, and long-term economic mobility.
Original reporting: Las Cruces Sun News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
