Executive Summary:

New Mexico's K-12 education system faces several ongoing challenges, including low student achievement, teacher shortages, aging infrastructure, and barriers that affect non-English-speaking families. This plan draws inspiration from the impressive turnaround in Mississippi—often referred to as the "Mississippi Miracle"—and proposes a comprehensive approach to improve educational outcomes in New Mexico.

Between 2013 and 2022, Mississippi achieved significant progress, moving from 49th to 21st in fourth-grade reading proficiency thanks to targeted literacy reforms, teacher support, and consistent policy implementation. To adapt these successful strategies to New Mexico's unique context, which includes diverse Hispanic, Native American, and immigrant populations, this plan emphasizes enhancing literacy, upgrading infrastructure, expanding language services, and ensuring equitable resource allocation.

Over a five-year implementation period, this initiative could position New Mexico as a national leader in inclusive education. Projected improvements include increases in NAEP scores, graduation rates, and family engagement. The estimated annual costs range from $50 million to $100 million, which could be funded through state oil and gas revenues, federal grants, and reallocations.

Current Challenges in New Mexico K-12 Education:

New Mexico ranks among the lowest-performing states in K-12 education, with issues exacerbated by poverty, systemic inequities, and resource constraints.

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Key problems include:

• Low Academic Performance: Only about 30% of students are proficient in reading and math, with significant gaps for Native American and Hispanic students. Teacher shortages have led to four-day school weeks in rural districts, reducing instructional time.​

• Infrastructure Deficiencies: Many schools suffer from outdated facilities, including missing fire alarms, leaking roofs, defective doors, and inadequate sprinkler systems. A capital expenditure gap of approximately $407 million hinders safe and modern learning environments. Additionally, oil and gas pollution in southeastern districts affects air quality and student health.

• Language and Cultural Barriers: With a large non-English-speaking population (primarily Spanish and Native languages), families face communication hurdles. While services exist, they are inconsistent, limiting parent involvement and support for English Learners (ELs).

• Funding Instability: Recent federal funding freezes have withheld over $44 million, disrupting programs and adding uncertainty. Systemic issues like incompetent leadership and teacher stress further compound these challenges.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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These issues align with the Learning Policy Institute's five elements for high-quality education: meaningful learning, knowledgeable educators, integrated supports, high-quality early learning, and equitable funding. learningpolicyinstitute.org Addressing them requires bold, sustained reforms.

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Lessons from the Mississippi Miracle:

Mississippi's "Miracle" stemmed from the 2013 Literacy-Based Promotion Act (LBPA), which emphasized phonics-based instruction (the "science of reading"), early screenings, interventions, and third-grade retention for non-proficient readers.

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Key components included:

• Hiring reading coaches and providing professional development (PD) for teachers.

• Annual screenings for K-3 students and individualized reading plans.

• Retention policies with supports, reducing rates over time through better early interventions.

• Statewide collaboration among policymakers, educators, and communities.

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Four factors made these gains real and sustainable: integrated policy components (including retention), data-driven validation, comprehensive implementation, and trust in local educators. Mississippi invested modestly—about $15 million annually in literacy programs—yielding gains equivalent to a full year of schooling. Vouchers and pre-K pilots also contributed. These reforms narrowed achievement gaps for Black and Hispanic students and mitigated COVID-19 impacts. New Mexico can adapt this by incorporating cultural responsiveness for its multilingual population.

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Proposed Strategies:

My plan adapts Mississippi's model to New Mexico's needs, emphasizing the Learning Policy Institute's elements.

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1. Literacy and Curriculum Reform:

Adopt a "Science of Reading" framework statewide, similar to Mississippi's LBPA.

• Mandate phonics-based instruction in K-3, phasing out whole-language methods.

• Implement universal screenings three times per year for K-3 students to identify and intervene early.

• Establish a third-grade reading gate with retention and specialized supports for failing students, including summer programs.

• Develop culturally relevant curricula incorporating Native American and Hispanic histories, aligned with the Bilingual Multicultural Education Act.

2. Teacher Development and Support:

Address shortages and build expertise.

• Provide mandatory PD on science of reading, culturally responsive teaching, and EL strategies, funded at $10-15 million annually.

• Hire 200 literacy coaches statewide, prioritizing rural and high-need districts.

• Offer incentives like stipends and loan forgiveness to recruit/retain teachers, especially bilingual educators.

• Require aspiring teachers to pass reading knowledge assessments, as in Mississippi.

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3. Infrastructure Improvements:

Modernize facilities to support safe, effective learning.

• Conduct a statewide audit of school buildings to prioritize repairs (e.g., fire alarms, roofs, HVAC systems).

• Allocate $100 million over three years for upgrades, focusing on pollution-impacted areas in the southeast.

• Integrate green infrastructure, such as air filtration and energy-efficient designs, to combat environmental issues.

• Partner with districts for security enhancements and maintenance, building on recent $35 million state allocations.

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4. Language Services and Family Engagement:
Enhance support for non-English-speaking families, building on the Language and Culture Division's (LCD) existing framework.

• Expand translation/interpretation services at all schools, including apps and on-site interpreters for parent meetings.

• Fund bilingual family liaisons in high-EL districts to facilitate communication and involvement.

• Strengthen EL programs under Title III, including migrant education and the State Seal of Bilingualism-Biliteracy.

• Offer parent workshops in multiple languages on literacy support and school navigation, integrating Mississippi-style individualized plans.

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5. Additional Supports:

• Expand high-quality pre-K and early learning programs, inspired by Mississippi's pilot.

• Integrate student supports like mental health services and community schools to address poverty and racism.

• Ensure equitable funding distribution, advocating for release of withheld federal funds.

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Implementation Timeline:

• Year 1 (2027): Pass enabling legislation (e.g., New Mexico Literacy Promotion Act). Conduct audits, begin PD, and pilot programs in 10 districts.

• Year 2 (2028): Full rollout of screenings and coaches; start infrastructure projects.

• Year 3 (2029): Implement third-grade gate; expand language services statewide.

• Years 4-5 (2030-2031): Monitor progress, adjust based on data, and scale successes.

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Stakeholders include the Public Education Department (PED), LCD, districts, tribes, and community organizations. Bipartisan legislative support, as in Mississippi, is crucial.

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Governor Smith encourages the New Mexico State Legislature to introduce an amended version of 2025 NM SJR3. This aims to establish a "State School Board" and a "Public Education Department" to replace the current failed system, which relies on an Executive Appointed Secretary of Education. In this new amendment structure, the Governor would appoint only one member, while the remaining 14 members would be elected by the communities they represent. This approach would bring Stability and Equal Representation to New Mexico's K-12 Educational System.

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Funding and Resources:

Leverage New Mexico's oil and gas boom for $50-100 million annually, supplemented by federal ESSA/Title III grants and private philanthropy. Reallocate from underperforming programs and pursue bonds for infrastructure. Cost-effectiveness mirrors Mississippi's $15 million literacy investment.​

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Monitoring and Evaluation:

Use NAEP, state assessments, and retention rates as metrics. Annual reports by PED will track progress, with independent audits. Adjust for equity, ensuring gains for ELs and Native students.​

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Conclusion:

By emulating Mississippi's focused, evidence-based reforms while tailoring to New Mexico's cultural and infrastructural needs, this plan can transform K-12 education. With commitment from leaders and communities, New Mexico can achieve its own "miracle," fostering equitable opportunities for all students.

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(Last Edited & Published Oct. 2025)

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