The "Advancing the Science of Reading Act" seeks to improve literacy education in New Mexico by establishing new requirements for teacher licensure and instructional practices. It mandates that teacher candidates demonstrate competency in structured literacy and the science of reading, which includes coursework in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The bill prohibits the use of balanced literacy as a teaching method in public schools and state institutions, emphasizing the need for scientifically based reading instruction. To support these requirements, the act introduces literacy coordinators in teacher preparation programs to oversee compliance and provide professional development, while also ensuring that parents are notified about their children's reading performance, particularly for those not reading at grade level.

In addition to these educational reforms, the bill amends current licensing laws by introducing an alternative level one license for applicants who meet specific educational criteria, including the completion of a degree and passing relevant assessments. It establishes competencies for various grade levels and sets a minimum salary of $50,000 for level one teachers, with additional compensation for those in extended learning programs. The bill also revises license maintenance requirements, stating that license holders will not need to meet changed requirements until their license expires, and introduces new definitions related to instructional materials, emphasizing the importance of structured literacy in teacher training for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Overall, these changes aim to enhance teacher qualifications and improve educational standards in the state.

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