Education (Testing & Assessment)

SB 34 requires New Mexico's Public Education Department to publish annual data on standards-based assessment results by September 1 each year. The report must include proficiency rates by subject, grade, and student demographics (such as race, ethnicity, disability status, and poverty level). This data must be posted on the department's website in an accessible, user-friendly format for parents and the public. The bill aims to increase transparency about school performance across different student groups.

This House Memorial (HM 2) requests the Legislative Education Study Committee to investigate screen time use for instruction and assessment in New Mexico elementary classrooms, including its effects on student learning and well-being. It also asks the Public Education Department to develop developmentally appropriate guidelines for daily screen use in those classrooms. The memorial cites research linking excessive screen time to stress, sleep issues, and reduced skill development, alongside concerns about overreliance on digital tools for tasks like handwriting and social learning. As a non-binding request, it does not create new law but directs state entities to study the issue and establish guidelines.

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.