According to the state's Public Education Department, New Mexico had 323,881 students enrolled in the 2008-'09 school year. The largest school district, Albuquerque, enrolled 94,836; the smallest, Mosquero Municipal Schools, had 36 students. In the 2007-'08 school year, there were 22,779 teachers in New Mexico public schools, with an average salary of $45,112--ranking 39th among the 50 states. New Mexico was the first state in the union to formally adopt textbooks for learning the Navajo language. New Mexico also boasts a strong commitment to bilingual education.
New Mexico received an A- in standards, assignments and accountability, ranked 16th by the National Assessment of Educational Progress among the 50 states, according to the New Mexico Public Education Department. Teachers were given a C+ ranking, placing them 17th nationwide. The state implemented policy changes in 2009 to promote redesign of high school requirements and testing standards.
New Mexico boasts three high-quality research universities: the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University and New Mexico Tech. These universities are regional comprehensive universities. The state also has 17 two-year colleges, four tribal colleges and three nonprofit private colleges, bringing the total number of colleges in New Mexico to more than 50. In 2010, 128,226 students enrolled in higher education institutions in New Mexico.
According to the New Mexico Public Education department, 69 percent of students at four-year institutions and 50 percent of students in community colleges return for their second year. In New Mexico, 42 percent of college freshman earn a degree compared to the national average of 56 percent. In 2009, New Mexico ranked fourth-lowest in state yearly tuition rates for public universities at $3,985.
New Mexico has undertaken various steps to raise the quality of education and improve student success. Since 1998, the state has been ranked top in national rates of American Indian reading improvements. From 1998-2007, students in fourth through eighth grades showed increases in National Assessment for Education Progress. Growth in Advanced Placement courses--from 2,351 students in 1998 to 5,490 students in 2005--shows promise for college enrollment.