New Mexico Jumps Six Places to Rank 20th in Adult Education Outcomes

New Mexico rose to 20th in the nation for adult education measurable skill gains in the 2024-25 academic year, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Career and Technical Education announced March 16, marking a six-place climb from the state's previous ranking of 26th and a 30-spot surge from its last-place position in 2019.

The ranking tracks measurable skill gains, a federal metric that measures student progress toward earning credentials, improving academic skills and advancing toward employment. New Mexico's jump from No. 50 in 2019 to No. 20 today reflects sustained investment and program expansion that state officials say has reshaped adult education across the state's 26 adult education programs and 18 adult literacy programs, which together serve more than 12,000 students annually.

The gains extend beyond the headline ranking. New Mexico's standing for English as a Second Language students improved from 28th to 19th nationally, while the ranking for adult education participants who secured employment after completing coursework rose from 32nd to 25th. A $20 million appropriation in this year's state budget is funding adult education programs and high school equivalency testing statewide through the Adult Education Division. Those investments include workforce training in high-demand fields such as child care and commercial driving, which contributed to a 44% increase in new certificates achieved by New Mexicans in 2025.

Adult Education Director Amber Gallup credited both program staff and a deliberate shift in how the state interprets its own data. "I don't believe that we were ever 50th in the nation in terms of quality, but one of the things we've done is really dug into our data, helped our programs understand the federal performance outcomes and how to address those," she said. Gallup added that the department has focused on professional learning, advocating for better pay for teachers and leveraging investments from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the legislature. The $20 million will expand access through distance learning, a family literacy initiative and broader workforce development, she said.

"Students and program staff have worked hard to reach this point," Gallup said. "Our work continues to expand accessibility of high-quality programming at different colleges throughout the state."

Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez framed the results in terms of reach and equity. "In New Mexico, we support community members with more opportunities to increase adult literacy skills and pursue career pathways through the higher education system at different stages of their lives, no matter their background. These investments are bringing results to New Mexico at a remarkable rate," she said.

Patricia Trujillo, deputy cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Higher Education Department, acknowledged remaining gaps while pointing to the direction of travel. "It also demonstrates that we're in that upper echelon of those rankings, moving in the right direction to make sure that New Mexicans are served the way that they should be served, and have access to programs that are going to change their lives," she said.

For San Juan County, where institutions such as San Juan College operate adult education programs, the statewide improvement signals growing resources and infrastructure. No county-level breakdown of measurable skill gains or certificate data is yet available from the Office of Career and Technical Education, but state officials have indicated that the expansion of high-quality programming is targeted at colleges throughout New Mexico. Local program leaders have not yet responded to requests for comment on how the ranking shift and the $20 million appropriation are reflected in San Juan County enrollment and credential outcomes.