New Mexico passes math and special education reforms; San Juan County prepares

Santa Fe — Lawmakers passed Senate Bills 29, 37 and 64 late February as the 2026 legislative session closed, directing the New Mexico Public Education Department to roll out statewide math, literacy and special education reforms, the department said. SB 29 and SB 37 won unanimous approval in both chambers while SB 64 advanced with strong bipartisan support, lawmakers said as they sent the package toward implementation.

SB 29 creates a statewide Mathematics Instructional Leadership Framework and requires districts and charter schools to implement aligned math plans and professional learning, NMPED officials said. Beginning in the 2027–28 school year, schools must conduct a universal kindergarten through third grade math screening to identify learning challenges early; districts will be required to complete that screening within 30 days of the start of the school year. Public Education Secretary Mariana D. Padilla said, “Strong math skills open doors for students, from college readiness to career opportunities in high‑demand fields,” and added that “SB 29 ensures New Mexico students receive the high‑quality instruction and early support they need to succeed.”

SB 29 also raises teacher preparation standards: new elementary and secondary math endorsements will require six additional credit hours of math methods coursework beginning July 1, 2027. The bill expands professional development opportunities and directs NMPED to provide structured support for teachers and school leaders through the new leadership framework. Patricia Levesque, executive director of ExcelinEd in Action, called the measure “a proactive, research‑based approach” and thanked Senate Education Committee Chair William Soules, Rep. Debra Sariñana and Rep. Catherine Cullen for championing the policy.

SB 37 extends the state’s evidence‑based literacy work by requiring instruction aligned with the science of reading and by directing targeted supports for English learners and students in bilingual or dual‑language programs. Under SB 37, NMPED must assign “highly qualified coaches” to elementary schools in the statewide bottom quartile for reading proficiency; those coaches will serve three‑year terms beginning in the 2027–28 school year. The bill also requires grade‑specific read‑at‑home plans for families to reinforce literacy beyond the classroom, part of a broader push to codify the practices behind New Mexico’s recent reading gains.

SB 64 addresses services for students with disabilities and, according to NMPED statements, “represents a major step forward in strengthening educational equity and outcomes for New Mexico’s students with disabilities.” Tri‑City Record reported that SB 64 “will take effect July 1,” though the available excerpts do not specify a year. Legislative action also included making the Office of Special Education a permanent entity within the Public Education Department, language stakeholders say will help stabilize services statewide.

San Juan County school leaders now face concrete implementation tasks tied to these deadlines: plan and budget for K–3 universal screening tools and staff time starting in 2027–28, prepare existing teachers for new endorsement coursework required by July 1, 2027, and ready local family communications and read‑at‑home materials. Teach Plus New Mexico’s executive director Hope Morales said the passage “shows what’s possible when legislators, teacher leaders, and partners work together to put students first,” and teacher‑leader Lauren Scott of Mountain Mahogany Community School urged that the law’s dual focus on teacher training and classroom practice will help students “see themselves as capable mathematicians.”

NMPED is responsible for issuing the Mathematics Instructional Leadership Framework, assigning reading coaches and developing family materials; school districts, charters and families can expect formal guidance and fiscal details from the department as it moves to implement the laws ahead of the 2027–28 school year.