New Mexico’s recent statewide gains in reading proficiency have drawn attention from educators and community leaders across San Juan County, where many students come from Native American and Hispanic communities. The Public Education Department (PED) reported that reading scores for students in grades 3 through 8 increased by 10 percentage points between 2022 and 2025, a shift officials attributed to expanded structured literacy training for teachers, summer reading programs, and tutoring efforts that focused resources on students most behind grade level.

The rise in literacy is significant for San Juan County because stronger reading skills in elementary and middle school form the foundation for success across subjects and into adulthood. Higher literacy rates can improve students’ ability to access health information, understand medical directions, and navigate public systems—outcomes with clear public health implications in a rural county with persistent health and economic disparities. Gains concentrated among Native American and Hispanic students also suggest steps toward narrowing long-standing achievement gaps that mirror broader social inequities.

Despite the literacy improvement, math and science achievement statewide remained largely unchanged over the same period. PED highlighted the need to reproduce the literacy gains in those subjects by scaling practices that worked for reading. The department called for early math screening to identify students in need of targeted support, increased coaching for teachers, adoption of evidence-based math instruction, and year-round high-dosage tutoring—interventions that require sustained funding and logistical coordination.

For San Juan County schools, the mixed results mean local leaders must balance celebrating progress with planning for further work. Expanding summer learning and tutoring has shown success for reading, but replicating those gains in math and science will demand additional teacher training, assessment systems to catch learning gaps early, and accessible supports for families. In a county where transportation, broadband access, and community resources vary across rural and tribal areas, attention to equitable delivery of these programs will be critical.

Policy decisions at the state and district levels will shape whether the recent momentum in reading becomes durable. Investments in professional development, consistent funding for year-round tutoring, and culturally responsive materials that serve Native American and Hispanic students are among the measures likely needed to sustain and deepen progress. For families, educators and health providers in San Juan County, the literacy gains offer a hopeful sign, but they also highlight the need for continued coordination to ensure all students benefit across subjects and into their futures.