New Mexico Public Education Department unveils $5.5 billion budget proposal for FY 2026

Organ Mountain News report

SANTA FE - The New Mexico Public Education Department is seeking nearly $5.5 billion in its Fiscal Year 2026 budget request, focusing on boosting academic performance, improving attendance, raising graduation rates, and expanding access to healthy school meals.

Public Education Secretary-Designate Mariana D. Padilla underscored the budget’s goals.

“The PED’s FY26 budget request seeks to accelerate the work being done to improve student achievement,” Padilla said.

The budget includes targeted investments in literacy, career readiness, teacher training and attendance initiatives, alongside substantial funding for student nutrition and Native American education programs.

Literacy and reading initiatives

The PED is requesting $52.6 million to enhance literacy across grade levels. This includes:

• $30 million for a Summer Reading Program offering personalized literacy instruction.
• $17.6 million to expand LETRS training for PreK through third-grade educators.
• $5 million for secondary literacy support.

Attendance and behavioral support

To address chronic absenteeism and disciplinary challenges, the PED seeks $9.5 million, including:

• $6 million for grants to innovative attendance programs, a $1 million increase from this year’s funding.
• $3.5 million for behavioral health support aimed at reducing suspensions and expulsions.

Improving graduation rates

A total of $79.5 million is earmarked to boost New Mexico’s graduation rates, including investments in Career Technical Education programs, which report a 97% graduation rate among participants. Key allocations include:

• $41.5 million for career-connected learning.
• $20 million for out-of-school enrichment programs and tutoring.
• $10 million for school improvement programs.
• $8 million for community schools.

Teacher residency and development

With teacher residency program enrollment growing from fewer than 40 participants in the 2022-23 school year to nearly 300 in 2023-24, the PED is requesting $52.3 million to strengthen the educator pipeline. The breakdown includes:

• $20 million for the Educator Fellows program, designed for aspiring teachers with high school diplomas.
• $20 million for educator clinical practice.
• $2.3 million for preparation and evaluation programs.
• $10 million for professional development for teachers and administrators.

Native American education and nutrition programs

The PED is also proposing significant investments in Native American education and student wellness:

• $50 million for the Indian Education Fund to support public schools serving Native American students.
• $68.9 million for student nutrition, including Universal Free Meals and NM Grown Meals.

STEM and instructional materials

Other budget highlights include:

• $12.4 million for math and STEM programs.
• $5 million for high-quality instructional materials.

Padilla expressed optimism about the impact of these investments.

“We’re making steady progress in improving the education of New Mexico students, and the additional investments proposed in our budget will help improve student learning and better prepare them for the future,” she said.

The PED will present its FY26 budget request to the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at 8:30 a.m.