Education (Teachers)

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 29: MATH REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHING LICENSE

SB 29 increases mathematics requirements for teachers seeking New Mexico teaching licenses or math endorsements. It mandates nine semester hours of college-level math (up from six) for all teaching licenses and requires six hours of specialized math teaching courses for those seeking a math endorsement, effective July 2027. The bill also establishes a Mathematics and Science Bureau to implement new frameworks, including mandatory math screening assessments for students and district-level math professional learning plans. These changes directly affect educators pursuing initial licensure or math endorsements, aiming to strengthen math instruction through standardized teacher preparation and school-level support systems.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases teacher math requirements, mandates specialized training, and establishes a bureau to strengthen educator qualifications and student math standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Teachers

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 30: TEACHER RESIDENCY ACT CHANGES

HB 30 modifies New Mexico's Teacher Residency Act by setting stipends for teaching residents as a percentage of the minimum salary for entry-level teachers (35% for undergraduates, 80% for those with bachelor's degrees). It allows teaching residents to work at any public school after completing their residency, not just the sponsoring district, and requires partner districts or charter schools to offer employment based on staffing needs and performance. This directly affects teaching residents, public school districts, and charter schools participating in the residency program. The bill updates payment structures and employment rules to increase flexibility for residents and districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationSets stipends (35-80% of entry-level salary) for teaching residents and expands post-residency employment options, directly supporting teacher recruitment and mobility in public schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 89: COMPUTER SCIENCE TEACHER LICENSURE

HB 89 establishes a new computer science teaching endorsement in New Mexico, allowing educators to teach computer science at all grade levels. To qualify, teachers must meet one of several requirements, including 15 college credits in computer science, two years of industry experience, or 60 hours of relevant professional development. The bill appropriates $250,000 for quantum computing-focused professional development to support teachers seeking or maintaining this endorsement. This requirement directly affects current and future New Mexico teachers who wish to add computer science to their teaching license.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes computer science teacher endorsement with $250k funding for professional development, strengthening educator qualifications and K-12 curriculum access.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds $250k for quantum computing teacher training to expand computer science education, directly advancing tech workforce development and digital skills.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Teachers Emerging Technology

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in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 205: SCHOOL TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

HB 205 creates a Career Technical Externship Program within New Mexico's Workforce Solutions Department to provide professional development for public school career-technical teachers and public community college faculty. The program pairs educators with industry professionals in high-demand fields to enhance their technical skills and understanding of current workforce standards. It allocates $250,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 to implement the program, with unspent funds reverting to the general fund. The bill requires collaboration between Workforce Solutions, the Public Education Department, and community colleges to design the program and application process. The bill is currently pending review by the House Education and Appropriations & Finance Committees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $250k from general fund for educator professional development program, directly funding public education through state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $250,000 for teacher professional development program, enhancing educator skills and workforce alignment in career-technical education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Career & Technical Education Higher Education Teachers

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in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 158: PED MICRO-CREDENTIALING PILOT PROJECT

SB 158 creates a five-year pilot program in New Mexico public schools to issue micro-credentials (certifications for specific competencies) to site administrators and teachers. The program focuses on equity-centered instruction and leadership, aligned with the Martinez-Yazzie decision, targeting historically underserved students including bilingual learners, English language learners, and Native American students. It requires performance-based assessments for competency, phases development and validation with 50+ participants, then scales to 80 administrators and 1,100 teachers over three years of statewide implementation starting in 2028. The bill appropriates $3 million for implementation from 2027-2031, with the department required to report on outcomes for underserved student groups and program effectiveness.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates equity-centered micro-credentials for educators targeting underserved students (bilingual, ELL, Native American), aligning with Martinez-Yazzie decision to strengthen instructional practices in public schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 118: BILITERACY DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING PROJECT

HB 118 creates a three-year pilot program to provide specialized biliteracy training for teachers working with at-risk students (defined as economically disadvantaged, English language learners, Native American, or students with disabilities) in New Mexico public schools. The bill requires the Public Education Department to select 125 teachers in year one, increasing to 500 by year three, prioritizing schools with high bilingual enrollment and existing bilingual programs. Training focuses on teaching reading/writing in two languages (biliteracy), cross-language communication (transliteracy), and integrating multiple communication modes (multiliteracy), with mandatory annual reports on student outcomes and teacher development. The program is funded with $6.645 million from the general fund for fiscal years 2027-2029.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates teacher training program for biliteracy targeting at-risk students, directly strengthening educational access and supporting educators in public schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries Teachers

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signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 37: HIGH QUALITY LITERACY INSTRUCTION ACT

SB 37, the High-Quality Literacy Instruction Act, requires New Mexico public schools to use research-backed reading methods for students in kindergarten through third grade. It mandates annual literacy assessments for these students and provides interventions for those struggling with reading, while requiring schools to use approved instructional materials that align with evidence-based practices. The bill also sets new standards for teacher preparation programs, including 100+ hours of supervised field experience in structured literacy methods and training to identify reading difficulties. These changes directly affect K-3 students, public schools, literacy coaches, and teacher training programs across New Mexico.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates evidence-based literacy instruction, annual assessments, interventions, and teacher training standards for K-3, directly advancing educational quality and student outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Teachers Testing & Assessment

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 119: BILINGUAL LICENSE ENDORSEMENT PGM UNITS

HB 119 adds a new funding category for school districts based on the number of licensed teachers with bilingual endorsements working in approved programs. School districts earn additional state funding for each such teacher, but must verify the teacher holds a valid bilingual endorsement, works in a department-approved program, and receives a salary differential (extra pay) equal to the funding value. This directly affects bilingual-certified teachers and school districts receiving state education funding. The bill modifies New Mexico’s school finance formula to include this category as a separate "program unit" for calculating district funding. It does not change teacher certification requirements but ties funding to verified bilingual staff and their compensation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new state funding for bilingual teachers, increasing public education spending with mandatory salary differentials, directly advancing budget allocation for educational services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds state funding for bilingual teachers with endorsements, requiring salary differentials. Directly funds bilingual education programs and supports teacher compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Teachers

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in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 191: PED SERVICES FOR LGBTQ+

HB 191 appropriates $530,000 from the general fund to New Mexico's Public Education Department for fiscal year 2027. The funding will contract with an LGBTQ+-focused education organization to develop inclusive curricula, improve educator training, and expand outreach specifically in rural schools. This directly affects public schools and LGBTQ+ students in New Mexico by aiming to improve their engagement and academic outcomes through targeted support programs. The bill requires the organization to create a plan addressing curriculum, teacher training, and rural school support networks.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $530,000 from general fund for LGBTQ+ education programs, increasing public education funding per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $530k for LGBTQ+ inclusive curricula, educator training, and rural school outreach to improve student engagement and outcomes in public schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Curriculum Teachers

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