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The New Mexico Public Education Department has mandated that all school districts and charter schools provide 180 days of instruction. This change has sparked intense discussions among lawmakers, government officials, and school leaders. In this blog post, we will explain the 180-Day Rule, detail what it means for New Mexico schools, and provide you with the information you need to join the conversation.
State of Education in New Mexico
New Mexico is facing an education crisis worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the 2023 NM-MSSA state assessment, only 38% of students read at grade level, and only 24% are proficient in math. Additionally, 39% of New Mexico students are chronically absent. Our state is in need of change, but there is vast disagreement on how to achieve it.
In December, NMPED announced changes to Rule 6.10.5, enforcing 180 days of instruction and banning four-day school weeks. This proposed rule generated a massive amount of conversation and public comment, which continued during the 2024 New Mexico Legislative Session.
The tension between the rulemaking and legislative processes heightened as New Mexico legislators expressed frustration with the proposed rule. Legislators had previously voted to increase the minimum instructional hours to 1,140 during the 2023 Legislative Session. The proposed rule shifts the focus from hours to instructional days. According to the rule, though a school complies with the 1,140 hours required by statute, they must provide 180 days of instruction. During New Mexico House deliberations in 2024, legislators proposed an amendment to the state budget prohibiting the education department from using state funding to enforce administrative rule for a 180-day school year. This amendment was later vetoed by the Governor.
Revised Rule and Exemption Criteria
Following extensive debate and public comments submitted by stakeholders, and the 2024 Legislative Session, NMPED unveiled changes to the proposed rule on March 7th, two months after the initial rule hearing on December 18th. This revised rule allows school districts and charter schools to keep a four-day schedule. However, if they don’t meet the 180-day requirement, they must add more days unless granted an exemption based on reading language arts performance.
Instructional Days Across New Mexico
Of New Mexico’s 89 school districts, 57 have fewer than 180 instructional days. Among the 100 charter schools in the state, 30 also have less than 180 instructional days. The list of all school districts and charter schools with less than 180 days can be accessed here.
Exemptions Based on ELA Proficiency
All school districts and charter schools in New Mexico must now provide 180 days of instruction. However, exemptions based on reading language arts (ELA) proficiency are available. Early college high schools are automatically exempt. The statewide ELA proficiency currently stands at 38%. The average ELA proficiency of schools on a 4-day week with fewer than 180 days is also 38%. While the ELA proficiency of schools on a 5-day week with fewer than 180 days is 41%
Districts qualify for an exemption based on their ELA proficiency or if they meet growth targets set by the state, which are:
- Districts or charter schools with ELA proficiency above 80% are exempt
- Districts and charter schools with proficiency rates between 65% and 80% need to demonstrate a minimum of 8 percentage points growth.
- Districts or charter schools with proficiency rates between 45% and 65% require at least 10 percentage points growth.
- Districts or charter schools with proficiency rates below 45% must achieve a minimum growth of 15 percentage points.
Below, you will find a list of all schools impacted by the 180-day rule and where they fall in the exemption criteria:
65-80% Exemption Criteria
Altura Preparatory Charter School
Instructional Days: 176 for Elementary
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 80%
The ASK Academy
Instructional Days: 153
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 68%
Des Moines Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: 175
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 77%
Maxwell Municipal School
Instructional Days: 145
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 65%
Roy Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: 147
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 79%
The Masters Program
Instructional Days: 171
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 67%
45-65% Exemption Criteria
Alice King Community School
Instructional Days: 169 for Elementary, 170 for Middle/High School
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 49%
Capitan Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: 146 for Elementary, 145 for Middle/High School
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 50%
Clayton Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: 171 for Elementary, 170 for Middle/High School
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 48%
Cloudcroft Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: 150
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 54%
Corona Public Schools
Instructional Days: 156
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 63%
Dora Consolidated Schools
Instructional Days: 150
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 51%
Estancia Valley Classical Academy
Instructional Days: 175
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 52%
Grady Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: 147
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 58%
Horizon Academy Charter School
Instructional Days: Elementary 155, Middle/High School 150
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 54%
Logan Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: 147
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 50%
Loving Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: Elementary 163, Middle/High School 160
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 46%
Melrose Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: 152
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 58%
Middle College High School
Instructional Days: 171
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 55%
Moreno Valley Charter High School
Instructional Days: 150
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 50%
New Mexico International School
Instructional Days: Elementary 169, Middle/High School 170
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 63%
Public Academy for Performing Arts
Instructional Days: 168
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 63%
Quemado Independent Schools
Instructional Days: 150
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 50%
Reserve Independent Schools
Instructional Days: 151
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 60%
Roots & Wings Community Charter School
Instructional Days: 177
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 55%
Southwest Aeronautics Mathematics and Science Academy
Instructional Days: 157
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 54%
Taos Integrated School for the Arts
Instructional Days: Elementary 169, Middle/High School 167
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 51%
Texico Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: 157
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 63%
Below 45% Exemption Criteria
Albuquerque Charter Academy
Instructional Days: 174
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 27%
Albuquerque Talent Development Charter School
Instructional Days: 167
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 14%
Animas Public Schools
Instructional Days: Elementary 154, Middle/High School 150
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 31%
Carlsbad Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: 174
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 37%
Carrizozo Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: Elementary 147, Middle/High School 149
4-Day Sch The Podcast Studio NM Week
Reading Proficiency: 36%
Chama Valley Independent Schools
Instructional Days: Elementary 173, Middle/High School 169
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 19%
Christine Duncan Heritage Academy
Instructional Days: 178
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 21%
Cimmaron Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: 150
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 42%
Clovis Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: Elementary 174, Middle/High School 171
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 34%
Cobre Consolidated School District
Instructional Days: Elementary 168, Middle/High School 166
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 31%
DEAP School
Instructional Days: 170
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 12%
Deming Cesar Chavez Charter
Instructional Days: 155
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 5%
Elida Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: 152
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 39%
Espanola Public Schools
Instructional Days: Elementary 183, Middle/High School 179
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 24%
Estancia Municipal School District
Instructional Days: 178
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 34%
Eunice Public Schools
Instructional Days: 177
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 26%
Farmington Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: Elementary 177, Middle/High School 176
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 36%
Floyd Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: 151
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 41%
Fort Sumner Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: Elementary 154, Middle/High School 150
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 44%
Gordon Bernell Charter School
Instructional Days: 174
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 5%
Hondo Valley Public Schools
Instructional Days: 147
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 30%
House Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: 146
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 43%
Jal Public Schools
Instructional Days: 150
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 26%
Jemez Mountain Public Schools
Instructional Days: Elementary 173, Middle/High School 161
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 18%
Jemez Valley Public Schools
Instructional Days: 160
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 17%
Las Montanas Charter School
Instructional Days: 162
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 21%
Lordsburg Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: 158
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 27%
Magdalena Municipal School District
Instructional Days: 147
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 31%
Mark Armijo Charter Academy
Instructional Days: 178
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 8%
McCurdy Charter School
Instructional Days: Elementary 175, Middle/High School 173
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 30%
Mesa Vista Consolidated Schools
Instructional Days: 150
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 36%
Monte de Sol Charter School
Instructional Days: Elementary 173, Middle/High School 174
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 42%
Mora Independent School District
Instructional Days: 166
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 27%
Mosquero Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: 146
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 29%
Mountainair Public Schools
Instructional Days: 162
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 29%
New America School
Instructional Days: 169
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 9%
New America School – Las Cruces
Instructional Days: 164
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 20%
Penasco Independent School District
Instructional Days: Elementary 165, Middle/High School
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 36%
Pojoaque Valley High School
Instructional Days: Elementary 179, Middle/High School 172
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 33%
Portales Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: 178
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 33%
Questa Independent Schools
Instructional Days: Elementary 156, Middle/High School 150
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 28%
Red River Valley Charter School
Instructional Days: Elementary 162, Middle/High School 160
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 34%
San Jon Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: Elementary 148, Middle/High School 149
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 40%
Santa Fe Public Schools
Instructional Days: Elementary 175, Middle/High School 174
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 38%
Santa Rosa Consolidated Schools
Instructional Days: 158
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 42%
Silver Consolidated Schools
Instructional Days: Elementary 160, Middle/High School 158
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 40%
Six Directions Indigenous School
Instructional Days: 157
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 14%
Socorro Consolidated Schools
Instructional Days: Elementary 173, Middle/High School 167
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 33%
Southwest Secondary Learning Center
Instructional Days: 174
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 29%
Springer Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: Elementary 148, Middle/High School 147
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 22%
Taos Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: 176
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 43%
Tatum Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: 165
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 43%
Thrive Community School
Instructional Days: 175
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 42%
Tierra Encantada Charter School
Instructional Days: 173
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 33%
Truth or Consequences Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: Elementary 175, Middle/High School 172
5-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 33%
Tucumcari Public Schools
Instructional Days: 151
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 37%
Vaughn Municipal Schools
Instructional Days: Elementary 160, Middle/High School 156
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 30%
Wagon Mound Public Schools
Instructional Days: Elementary 150, Middle/High School 152
4-Day School Week
Reading Proficiency: 27%
To view the PDF list of school districts with fewer than 180 days and their ELA proficiency levels, click here. Additional graphics are available on our social media pages.
We hope this blog gives you the information you need to engage in conversations at the local level about your local district’s calendar.