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House Lawmakers Kill Critical Literacy Bill, Leaving New Mexico’s Literacy Crisis Unresolved
Despite overwhelming public support and urgent need, the House Education Committee tabled SB 242, a bill that would have strengthened teacher preparation and aligned literacy instruction with the Science of Reading.
SANTA FE, N.M. – On Friday morning, the New Mexico House Education Committee voted 8-5 to table Senate Bill 242: Advancing the Science of Reading Act, stopping a bill designed to strengthen literacy instruction and address New Mexico’s literacy crisis.
The need for this legislation is urgent. The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results show that 56% of New Mexico’s 4th graders scored below basic, meaning they lack fundamental reading skills. Additionally, statewide assessments indicate that only 39% of students are reading at grade level. More than a quarter of New Mexico adults are illiterate, giving the state the highest adult illiteracy rate in the nation.
SB 242 aimed to align teacher preparation programs with the Science of Reading, require parent notification for struggling readers and mandate individual reading improvement plans. As a bill primarily focused on higher education, it would have ensured that new teachers were prepared to teach reading effectively from day one.
Currently, New Mexico spends $44 million annually to provide literacy interventions including LETRS structured literacy training for in-service teachers. By aligning teacher preparation programs with the Science of Reading, SB 242 would have reduced the need for costly retraining, ensuring teachers enter the classroom already equipped with the skills needed to teach reading effectively.
The House Education Committee’s action came after Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart (D-Bernalillo) introduced an amendment to address concerns raised in the committee’s previous hearing last Friday. The amended bill made several key changes, including:
- Removing the ban on balanced literacy
- Maintaining current licensure requirements
- Clarifying that instruction for English learners must include evidence-based practices for biliteracy, differentiation, and culturally and linguistically responsive instruction
Despite these changes, after the amendment passed by a 7-6 vote, the committee ultimately voted to table SB 242.
Last Friday’s hearing included over an hour of public testimony, with 40 minutes of teachers, parents, and community leaders speaking in support of the bill. Supporters highlighted the urgent need for stronger literacy instruction and shared compelling stories about how structured literacy has positively impacted students across New Mexico. However, despite this overwhelming public support, the committee adjourned without taking action prompting today’s reconsideration and subsequent tabling.
Other states have seen dramatic improvements by implementing structured literacy policies. Mississippi, which ranked 49th in 2013, now ranks 9th in the nation for 4th-grade reading. Louisiana has also made significant gains, rising from 50th to 16th in 4th-grade reading.
“For five years, New Mexico has ranked 50th in reading—yet lawmakers refuse to act. The hit podcast, “Sold a Story” has made the crisis and solutions clear to millions—the rest of the country has been having this conversation for three years, yet our leaders continue to stall,” said Amanda Aragon, Executive Director of NewMexicoKidsCAN. “Other states have embraced bipartisan, evidence-based solutions and have seen results. Our kids deserve the same.”
Megan Rosker, President of the Southwest International Dyslexia Association (SWIDA), highlighted the bill’s importance for students with dyslexia: “As President of SWIDA, I am deeply disappointed that the House Education Committee has failed New Mexico’s students by tabling SB 242. With 20% of learners being dyslexic, this bill was crucial to ensuring all students receive the support they deserve through Science of Reading-based teacher training. High-quality structured literacy education—across languages—is the gateway to empowerment. SWIDA remains committed to advocating for policies that put students first and welcomes collaboration from those dedicated to this effort.”
Hope Morales, Executive Director of Teach Plus New Mexico, expressed frustration over the missed opportunity: “Last week, we heard many stories from teachers across New Mexico of how the science of reading strategies have yielded great success in classrooms across New Mexico. We are disappointed that legislators didn’t support the strategic effort to build upon these systems through our educator preparation programs. We stand committed to continue to uplift the voice of great teachers focused on students, in pursuit of our larger vision to improve economic mobility for students by ensuring our educational system sets them up for academic and postsecondary success.”
Representative Catherine Cullen (R-Sandoval), one of the few committee members who opposed tabling the bill, emphasized the urgency of this legislation, “I looked at some districts, and they are at 17% proficiency… We need to drastically move this needle. We can’t keep kicking the can down the road.” Emphasizing the consequence of not taking action now, she added, “That’s the thing—next session is a 30-day session, and it’s focused on the budget. Unless she puts a call on it, we don’t vote on it. Then we go into a 60-day session. So how long do we keep doing this? How long do we keep saying, ‘You know, we’re okay; we’ll keep riding this wave of where we are at,’ or do we be bold and make the change?”
The following Representatives voted to table SB 242:
- Representative G. Andres Romero (D-Bernalillo)
- Representative Brian G. Baca (R-Valencia)
- Representative Jack Chatfield (R- Colfax, Curry, Harding, Quay, San Miguel & Union)
- Representative Yanira Gurrola (D-Bernallilo)
- Representative Tanya Mirabal Moya (R-Valencia)
- Representative Patricia Royal Caballero (D-Bernallilo)
- Representative E. Diane Torres Velasquez (D-Bernallilo)
- Representative Harlan Vincent (R-Lincoln & Otero)
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About NewMexicoKidsCAN: Launched in 2018, NewMexicoKidsCAN is a local non-profit organization that advocates for community-informed, student-centered and research-backed education policies. Connecting policy, instructional practice and politics the organization works to reimagine what is possible in New Mexico’s public education system to ensure New Mexico students become the future community, civic and business leaders New Mexico needs.
To learn more, visit www.nmkidscan.org.