New Mexico

Overview of Pre-K Program-New Mexico Pre-K

Program is voluntary and open to all four-year-old children.
There is no family income requirement, but priority is given to children attending Title 1 schools that have the highest percentage of children not meeting Adequate Yearly Progress in reading and math.
2/3 of enrolled children at each program site must live in the attendance zone of a Title 1 elementary school.
Half of the children are served in public schools with the other half being served in community child care centers, family child care homes, Head Start, faith based centers and university programs.
Funded through the general fund. Programs receive funds through a competitive grant process.
Priority in the grant process is given to programs in school districts with the highest percentages of children failing to meet Adequate Yearly Progress in reading and math.
Grants are administered through two entities. The Public Education Department oversees grants to public school programs and the Children, Youth and Families Department oversees grants to programs operated by public and private childcare providers.

2004 Pre-K campaign begins and preliminary research is conducted on pre-k policy and funding issues.
2005 New Mexico Pre-Kindergarten Act is passed and the program is launched .
2009 Program serves 4,745 children and is recognized by NIEER as one of the highest quality programs in the nation, meeting 9 of 10 quality benchmarks.