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- calendar_today October 28, 2026
New Mexico Introduces Statewide At-Home Reading Program
More than 75,000 kindergarten through third grade students across New Mexico will participate in a new at-home reading program during the 2026–27 school year. The initiative will send out over 750,000 books in multiple languages, supporting early learning and literacy skills.
Personalized Family Literacy Plans for K–3 Students
Teachers will use individual student assessment and progress information to prepare a family literacy plan tailored to each K–3 student. These plans are designed to connect classroom learning with specific guidance for families, helping them support their children's reading development at home.
Distribution of Literacy Packs and Progress Updates
During the school year, teachers will send families four updates containing the individualized literacy plan, a summary of student reading progress, and a "Take-Everywhere Literacy Pack." The packs include structured literacy activities and books aligned to each student's reading level. Distribution of these literacy packs is scheduled to begin in November.
Program Goals and Family Engagement
According to Public Education Secretary Mariana D. Padilla, "Families want to know how their children are doing and what they can do to help. The family literacy plans connect the information teachers share with books and activities families can use together. Reading at home should feel welcoming and possible for every family."
The goal is to make reading at home a comfortable and accessible activity, fostering engagement between families and students while reinforcing classroom learning.
Features of the At-Home Reading Program
The literacy packs were developed by Just Right Reader, a company focused on using research-based, engaging resources to accelerate reading achievement. Each pack is customized to match students’ developing skills and includes:
- Books for different reading levels
- Writing activities for further literacy development
- Phonics video lessons accessible via QR codes
The video lessons and other resources are available in English, Spanish, and more than a dozen additional languages, expanding access to multilingual books and activities for diverse families.
Reinforcing Literacy Through Everyday Activities
According to the New Mexico Public Education Department (NM PED), the program will help families understand what their children are learning in school and show how to build on those skills through day-to-day family reading activities. The availability of resources in multiple languages helps ensure equitable access for students from various language backgrounds.
More Information
Districts across New Mexico will begin delivering literacy packs in November. Families and educators can find further details and access support materials on the New Mexico Public Education Department's Read-At-Home Plans page.
Source: krqe.com.
