PED proposes budget focused on student achievement, support

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: New Mexico Public Education Department    
Janelle Taylor García, Ph.D.,   janelle.garcia@ped.nm.gov, 505-709-5543

Sept. 24, 2026

PED proposes budget focused on student achievement, support
 FY28 request prioritizes literacy, mathematics, attendance, educator quality and school improvement

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) today presented a $5.9 billion budget request for fiscal year 2028, a 2.9% increase over the FY27 budget. 

The proposal includes a $152.2 million increase in recurring General Fund spending and a $13.6 million increase in nonrecurring funds.  

“New Mexico public school students are making meaningful progress in literacy, graduation rates and attendance, and this budget request will help schools build on those gains while addressing critical needs in mathematics, student engagement and educator recruitment,” said Public Education Secretary Mariana D. Padilla. “These investments focus resources where they can make the greatest difference for students and give educators the support they need to succeed.” 

Major proposed investments include: 

• Literacy and mathematics: $15.5 million for literacy and reading support, $16.6 million for literacy coaches, $29 million for reading and mathematics interventions, $6 million for the literacy and STEM institutes, $9.2 million for STEM programs and teacher professional learning, and $13.5 million for math professional learning. 

• Student attendance and engagement: $35 million for career technical education and work-based learning, $10 million for summer internships, and $60 million over three years for learning opportunities outside the regular school day. 

• Student support: $48.1 million for healthy universal school meals; $18.6 million over three years for attendance interventions; and $6.3 million over three years for the Guaranteed Payment for Attendance program, which helps students experiencing homelessness. 

• Educator workforce: $20 million for teacher residencies and paid student teaching programs and $25 million to strengthen the recruitment and preparation of new teachers. 

• School improvement and accountability: $30 million over three years for school improvement and transformation and $8.25 million for a statewide student information system and statewide Individualized Education Program to support students with disabilities. 

• Equity and culturally responsive education: $30 million for Indian Education, $1.7 million for bilingual multicultural education, $1.5 million for Hispanic Education and $500,000 for Black Education. 

The proposal responds to both recent progress and persistent needs. Literacy proficiency among students in grades 3–8 increased from 34.5% in 2022 to 44.7% in 2026, an increase of 10.2 percentage points. During the same period, Native American students recorded a 13.9 percentage-point gain, the largest improvement among reported student groups. New Mexico’s chronic absenteeism rate also declined from 38% in the 2022–23 school year to 28% in 2025–26. 

Mathematics achievement continues to require focused attention, particularly in high school. The proposed investments would expand interventions, professional learning and student supports intended to strengthen mathematics instruction across all grade levels.

The PED is also requesting a $31.8 million agency operating budget (a $4.6 million increase). The additional funding would support staffing to advance agency efforts.   

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