SB 235 New Mexico Senate · 2025 Regular Session

SCHOOL MATH CHANGES

SB 235 requires New Mexico public school districts and charter schools to develop math professional learning plans for teachers and implement a math intervention process starting in the 2026-2027 school year. It mandates that math coaches hold specialist endorsements and requires schools to use early math screeners for K-5 students to identify difficulties, with written parental notification and monthly progress updates if a student is identified. The bill also establishes a state math instructional leadership framework for administrators and requires research-based interventions during core instruction or through targeted support. These changes directly affect K-5 students, their parents, school staff, and district administrators. The bill does not specify funding sources but notes implementation depends on available resources.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 31, 2025 Last action Jun 3, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

ED substitute → substitute · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates New Mexico's Mathematics and Science Education Act to strengthen mathematics education through new definitions, enhanced monitoring requirements, and a structured intervention process for students struggling with math. The changes clarify terminology, establish new professional learning plans for teachers, require mathematics coaches to hold specialist endorsements, and create a formal process for identifying and supporting students with math difficulties. These updates aim to improve student outcomes by standardizing support systems and professional development across the state.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of mathematics education oversight by adding new definitions, requiring professional learning plans for all grade levels, and establishing a formal intervention process for students showing signs of math difficulty.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'chief', 'council', 'math difficulty', and 'screener' to clarify terminology used throughout the Mathematics and Science Education Act.

Changed the definition of 'math difficulty' to specifically include dyscalculia and list five specific mathematical performance areas.

REQUIREMENT

Requires school districts and charter schools to develop and implement elementary and secondary mathematics professional learning plans updated every two years.

Mandates that mathematics coaches hold a mathematics specialist endorsement from a department-approved program.

Establishes a mathematics instructional leadership framework for public school administrators with standards for content, instruction, professional learning, coaching, and evaluation.

Creates a formal mathematics intervention process requiring early numeracy screeners for students before second grade completion, parental notification within 15 days of identifying math difficulties, and provision of research-based interventions.

Modified the bureau's duties to include monitoring implementation of instructional materials and programs rather than just developing and evaluating curricula.

TIMELINE

Sets the formal intervention process requirement to begin in the 2026-2027 school year, with optional early adoption encouraged starting July 1, 2025.

introduced version → ED substitute · 9 edits

MAJOR

This bill amends the Mathematics and Science Education Act to strengthen mathematics education support in New Mexico public schools. Key changes include new requirements for mathematics professional learning plans, establishment of a mathematics instructional leadership framework, and implementation of a dyscalculia screening and intervention process for kindergarten through fifth grade students. The bill also adds a new definition for 'math difficulty' and modifies the bureau's duties to include monitoring instructional programs and assessing outcomes.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope from general mathematics education monitoring to include specific requirements for mathematics professional learning plans, a new leadership framework, and a formalized intervention process for students showing characteristics of dyscalculia or math difficulty.

REQUIREMENT

School districts and charter schools must now develop elementary and secondary mathematics professional learning plans updated at least every two years.

Mathematics coaches must hold a mathematics specialist endorsement from a department-approved program.

A new mathematics instructional leadership framework must be established for public school administrators.

Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, public schools must implement a mathematics intervention process including early numeracy screeners for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Bureau duties were expanded to include monitoring implementation of instructional programs and assessing outcomes of improvement efforts.

If a student is identified as having characteristics of dyscalculia or math difficulty, parents must receive written notice within fifteen days including explanation of the identification, current services, proposed interventions, and home strategies.

DEFINITION

New definition added for 'math difficulty' to describe a student's inability to perform at grade level when learning or applying mathematical concepts.

The definition of 'dyscalculia' was modified to include 'math difficulty' as a related condition.

TIMELINE

Early adoption of the mathematics intervention process is strongly encouraged beginning July 1, 2025, with full implementation required for the 2026-2027 school year.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 5, 2025

How they voted

36–3

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 40

Mar 5, 2025

D Democratic24

22 Yea 2 Nay

91% Yea

R Republican16

14 Yea 1 Nay 1

87% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 7, 2025

Introduced

Sent to House Education Committee & House Appropriations & Finance Committee

lower

Mar 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Mar 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO NOT PASS, replaced with committee substitute

upper

Jan 31, 2025

Introduced

Sent to Senate Education Committee & Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors