PED says 578 of 830 schools were approved with conditions as the state begins targeted support tied to accreditation and NM Vistas results

Organ Mountain News report

SANTA FE - More than two-thirds of New Mexico schools reviewed during the first year of the state’s new accreditation system were approved with conditions, as the Public Education Department begins directing additional support to schools based on accreditation findings and statewide performance results.

Of 830 schools reviewed during the 2025-26 pilot year, 252 received Approved status and 578 received Approved with Conditions. No school received Disapproved status, according to PED.

Approved with Conditions carries the same legal status as Approved but identifies areas where a school needs additional attention. The designation can apply when a school does not meet every applicable accreditation requirement or scores at or below the 10th percentile on the 2026 NM Vistas Index.

“Accountability must lead to action, and these results give schools clear information about where students and educators need support, while helping the PED bring the right assistance to each school,” Public Education Secretary Mariana D. Padilla said in a statement.

The accreditation system evaluates schools across 10 areas, including governance, financial accountability, attendance, school safety, staffing, Indian Education Act requirements and student outcomes.

PED released the accreditation findings alongside 2025-26 NM Vistas school ratings and spring 2026 statewide assessment results. The department said literacy proficiency continued to improve while mathematics proficiency remained steady.

Seventeen schools improved their ratings based on statewide test results, according to PED. Another 67 schools received supervisory designations required under federal law because of low academic performance, graduation-rate concerns or persistent achievement gaps among student groups.

Between September and December, PED staff will conduct site visits with schools and districts identified as needing intervention. The department said those visits will focus on areas including school culture, leadership, instructional systems, staffing and accountability.

PED also maintains a public evidence review dashboard showing accreditation reporting deadlines and ongoing evaluations.

The 2025-26 accreditation cycle was a pilot involving schools already included in the federal accountability system. PED said the process will expand to the full scope required under state law in future years.

School ratings and designation information are available through NM Vistas, while additional accreditation information is available through PED’s accreditation webpage.