Preliminary results show reading gains but persistent math shortfalls, Taos schools say

Associate Superintendent Reneta Mondragon presented preliminary 2024–25 student proficiency and graduation data at the Aug. 6 Taos Municipal Schools board meeting, cautioning that official New Mexico VISTA scores remain embargoed until release by the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED). The presentation showed stronger reading proficiency than math across grade levels and highlighted several specific changes: third-grade reading rose 11 percentage points (from 32% to 43%), seventh-grade math increased by 10 points (from 20% to 30%), and eighth-grade reading improved 5 points. At the same time, math proficiency remained a districtwide area of concern, with rates ranging roughly from 18% to 34% in the preliminary figures shown to the board. Mondragon and other district leaders attributed reading gains to sustained early-literacy work: the district used federal and state literacy supports and a CLSD literacy grant. For math, she said the district recently hired a math interventionist and will pursue targeted professional development with the Regional Education Cooperative (REC) and other vendors; one teacher is scheduled to attend a math training so they can return as a local trainer. Mondragon described a set of district actions: roll-out and enforcement of PLCs (professional learning communities), more frequent walk-throughs and coaching, targeted interventions, and increased use of formative assessments such as i-Ready. The high school reported near-100% implementation of formative assessment use and is piloting targeted interventions; district leaders plan to replicate identified middle-school math practices that showed growth. Board members asked about parent supports and community engagement. Mondragon said the district will explore parent-facing math modules through community schools and recommended creating parent trainings or community nights to help families support math learning at home. She also noted that staff trainings—both statutory (mandatory) and optional—will be scheduled and monitored; the district plans a September deadline (Sept. 30) for staff to complete some required modules, with follow-up for noncompliance. On graduation, preliminary figures showed an increase in the four-year graduation rate from 68% to 71% overall, but Mondragon said the Native American subgroup’s rate declined; she said staff will review the freshman cohort to find causes. The board and administration emphasized patience and continued focus on targeted professional development, data-driven instruction and cross-campus collaboration.