Secondary Teacher Preparation: New Mexico

Analysis of New Mexico's policies

New Mexico does not ensure that its secondary teachers are adequately prepared to teach grade-level content. 

New Mexico requires that its secondary teacher candidates pass a content test to teach any core secondary subjects. Unfortunately, New Mexico permits a significant loophole to this important policy by allowing both general science and general social studies licenses, without requiring subject-matter testing for each subject area within these disciplines (see Goals 1-G and 1-H).

To add a secondary endorsement to an existing license, teachers in New Mexico must either pass a content test or earn 24-36 semester hours of credit in the subject area.

Citation

Testing Requirements http://www.ped.state.nm.us/Licensure/testingRequirements.html Adding an Endorsement to a Teaching License http://www.ped.state.nm.us/Licensure/testingRequirements.html

Recommendations for New Mexico

Require subject-matter testing for all secondary teacher candidates.
New Mexico wisely requires subject-matter tests for most secondary teachers but should address any loopholes that undermine this policy (see Goals 1-G and 1-H).

Require subject-matter testing when adding subject-area endorsements.
New Mexico should require passing scores on subject-specific content tests, regardless of other coursework or degree requirements, for teachers who are licensed in core secondary subjects and wish to add another subject area, or endorsement, to their licenses. While coursework may be generally indicative of background in a particular subject area, only a subject-matter test ensures that teachers know the specific content they will need to teach.

State response to our analysis

New Mexico recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis.