New Mexico Overhauls Graduation Rules for the Class of 2029
New Mexico has approved its first major update to high school graduation rules since 2009, set to take effect with the Class of 2029. Students will still need 24 credits, but Algebra II will no longer be mandatory, allowing more flexible math pathways. House Bill 171 also gives districts control over two elective credits to match local needs, while keeping core requirements in science and social studies, including personal financial literacy. Supporters say the changes will make learning more relevant and help prepare students for life after graduation.
NM PED Invites Public Input on Court‑Ordered Yazzie/Martinez Remedial Action Plan
The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) will host a series of 12 community meetings throughout August, seeking public feedback to guide the state’s remedial action plan required by the Yazzie/Martinez court ruling. The meetings respond directly to an April decision by First Judicial District Court Judge Matthew Wilson, who concluded New Mexico has not […]
Non-profit Groups Memo Urges States to Act on Special Education Crisis
In July 2025, Bellwether Education Partners issued a wide‑ranging memo on behalf of nearly eight million students with disabilities, warning that the first half of the Trump administration had introduced a cascade of policy shifts that imperil access to special education services. Bellwether reports that in 2022–23, more than 15 percent of public school students […]
New Mexico’s $170 Million Faculty Expansion Plan Falls Short, Legislative Review Finds
A landmark $170 million state investment aimed at reversing critical workforce shortages in nursing, teaching, and social work across New Mexico’s public colleges has fallen short of its goals, state budget officials reported this month. The plan was first launched in 2022 and was intended to expand teaching capacity at 13 of the state’s public […]
NM Supreme Court Upholds Limits on Sentence Reductions for Prison Education
The New Mexico Supreme Court upheld a state policy that restricts the amount of time inmates can reduce their sentences by earning educational degrees while in prison. The ruling issued last Monday affirmed the existing policy of the New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD), which offers sentence reductions to inmates who have achieved certain educational milestones. […]
New Mexico Sees Another Jump in College Enrollment Thanks to Free Tuition Programs
New Mexico colleges and universities are seeing more students walk through their doors—again. For the second straight year, the state reported a rise in college enrollment. Spring 2025 numbers show a 4.2% increase over the same time last year, adding more than 5,000 students across public campuses. What’s driving the growth? State officials point to […]
Rio Rancho Public Schools Breaks Ground on New Independence High School Building
On the last day of the school year, Rio Rancho Public Schools (RRPS) marked a significant milestone by breaking ground on a new facility for Independence High School. The upcoming 41,000-square-foot building, located on Northern Boulevard just east of Rockaway, is set to nearly double the school’s current capacity, accommodating up to 350 students upon […]
U.S. Teacher Stress Levels Hit Record Highs, Surpassing Pandemic Peak, New Survey Finds
A new nationwide survey from Prodigy Education has revealed that U.S. teachers are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress—surpassing even the peak anxiety reported during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings paint a sobering picture of the American education system, exposing how mounting behavioral issues, financial strain, and a growing sense of fatigue are […]
Idaho’s House Bill 93: Expanding School Choice or Undermining Public Education?
Idaho Governor Brad Little recently signed House Bill 93 into law, introducing a $50 million Parental Choice Tax Credit program. This legislation offers refundable tax credits up to $5,000 per student for private schooling or homeschooling expenses, increasing to $7,500 for special needs students. House Bill 93 was introduced to expand educational choice in Idaho […]
NMPED Reports Special Education Act Passed Senate, Advances to the House for Consideration
The Special Education Act has cleared the Senate and is now under review in the House according to the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED). This legislative development seeks to improve the accessibility and quality of special education offerings all over the state. The proposed legislation aims to solve current issues with the special education […]
