SANTA FE — The New Mexico Public Education Department’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request aims to improve academic performance and school attendance, boost graduation rates and expand the agency’s Healthy Universal Meals program.
“The PED’s FY26 budget request seeks to accelerate the work being done to improve student achievement,” Public Education Secretary-Designate Mariana D. Padilla said.
The proposed budget, which totals nearly $5.5 billion, would increase funding for key initiatives proven to enhance student outcomes, including literacy and reading support, math and science proficiency, and career technical education programs.
The agency’s request includes $52.6 million for literacy programs and support, including:
- $30 million for the Summer Reading Program, a high-impact tutoring model that provides students with personalized literacy instruction during non-school months.
- $17.6 million to expand structured literacy training through LETRS, which provides PreK–third grade educators with a deeper understanding of the science of reading and evidence-based strategies to support all students.
- $5 million for secondary literacy support.
$9.5 million is requested to help improve attendance, including:
- $6 million (an increase of $1 million from the current year’s appropriation) to provide grants in support of innovative attendance initiatives.
- $3.5 million to support behavioral health and to reduce suspensions and expulsions.
The PED is also requesting $79.5 million for programs to improve the state graduation rate. This includes support for CTE programs, which have had a positive impact on graduation rates (CTE concentrators graduate at a rate of 97%). The PED’s request includes:
- $41.5 million for career connected learning.
- $20 million for out-of-school time enrichment programs and high-impact tutoring.
- $10 million for school improvement and transformation programs.
- $8 million for community schools.
The PED also seeks to build on the success of the state’s teacher residency programs. Enrollment increased from fewer than 40 teacher residency participants to almost 300 between school year 22-23 and SY23-24. The PED is requesting a total of $52.3 million to enhance the state’s educator ecosystem, including:
- $20 million for Educator Fellows, a two-year program for individuals with a high school diploma who are aspiring to become a certified educator.
- $20 million for educator clinical practice.
- $2.3 million for educator preparation, induction and evaluation programs.
- $10 million for professional development for teachers, principals and superintendents.
Fifty million dollars is proposed for the Indian Education Fund. These recurring funds support public schools serving Native American students and aim to improve educational outcomes by providing increased funding for supplementary educational services, such as out-of-school time opportunities, tutoring, and language programs. Pueblos, tribes and nations and are able to direct these funds as they see fit.
Additionally, the agency is requesting $12.4 million for mathematics and STEM programs, $5 million for high-quality instructional materials and $68.9 million for student nutrition and wellness, including Universal Free Meals and NM Grown Meals.
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," Padilla said.
