The "Advancing the Science of Reading Act" seeks to improve literacy education in New Mexico by establishing stringent requirements for teacher licensure and instructional practices. It mandates that teacher candidates demonstrate proficiency in structured literacy and the science of reading, which includes coursework in essential areas such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The bill also requires a minimum of one hundred hours of supervised field experience in public school classrooms that utilize evidence-based practices. Importantly, it prohibits the use of balanced literacy as a teaching method in public schools and state institutions, emphasizing the need for high-quality instructional materials aligned with the science of reading.

To facilitate the implementation of these standards, the bill introduces literacy coordinators in teacher preparation programs to ensure compliance and provide professional development for faculty. It establishes monitoring and enforcement mechanisms for educator preparation programs, including corrective action plans for noncompliance. Additionally, the act requires that parents be informed if their children are not reading at grade level, promoting timely interventions. The legislation also amends current educational licensing laws by introducing an alternative level one license for qualified applicants, setting a minimum salary of $50,000 for level one teachers, and revising license maintenance requirements. New definitions related to instructional materials are included to enhance educational quality and ensure that teachers are well-qualified.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 22-10A-6, 22-10A-7, 22-10A-8, 22-15-2