PED NEWS RELEASE
On Monday, Feb. 24, the New Mexico Senate passed Senate Bill 242 (SB 242), the Advancing the Science of Reading Act, by a vote of 32-6.
If signed into law, it would require teacher licensing candidates to demonstrate competency in structured literacy and the science of reading.
“The science of reading is a game changer for New Mexico’s students,” said Public Education Secretary Designate Mariana D. Padilla. “When we invest in proven reading strategies, we empower our students with the skills to thrive—not just in school, but in life.”
The science of reading refers to a vast body of research spanning psychology, linguistics and neuroscience that examines how humans learn to read, offering evidence-based practices for effective reading instruction.
SB 242 would also require educator preparation programs to base reading instruction coursework on the science of reading and ensure that teacher candidates use high-quality instructional materials aligned with the science of reading during student teaching and supervised field experiences.
The bill would also require educator preparation programs to ensure that teacher candidates are trained to identify when students are not reading at grade level and to provide appropriate interventions. Additionally, it would require school districts and charter schools to notify parents of kindergarten through third grade students about their child’s current reading performance twice per academic year. Districts and charter schools would also be required to inform parents in writing if a first grade student exhibits reading difficulties after a dyslexia screening has been administered.
The state of Mississippi adopted the science of reading, and its K-12 achievement rankings rose from 50th in 2013 to 35th in 2021. According to the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) exam (often referred to as the Nation’s Report Card), Mississippi ranks number one in the nation for gains over time, particularly in fourth grade reading and math. Mississippi fourth graders are ranked number nine in the nation for reading and hold a top position for NAEP gains.