Public Education Secretary Arsenio Romero
PED News:
The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) has announced the return of the Level Up Reading Challenge for the 2024-25 school year. This initiative aims to build on last year’s success, where schools saw significant improvements in students’ reading skills.
The Level Up Reading Challenge inspires K-5 students across New Mexico to develop a love for reading and improve their literacy. Throughout the 2024-25 challenge, dedicated teachers will use data-driven methods to help students enhance their reading abilities.
Ralph the Reader and Ricky the Roadrunner, the mascots of literacy, will visit schools to promote the challenge. Each month, the two students with the most significant reading growth in their classroom will be named Superhero Readers of the Month, earning the privilege to display Ralph or Ricky on their desks and wear a superhero reader cape.
“Last year we saw an incredible response from young readers who were inspired by Ralph and Ricky,” Public Education Secretary Arsenio Romero said. “We can’t wait to see our community of superhero readers embark on another epic reading adventure.”
During the 2023-2024 school year, more than 70 schools participated in the Level Up Reading Challenge.
This year, every K-5 public school classroom will be sent a Level Up Reading Challenge Superhero Kit, which includes:
- A bilingual picture book, ‘This is New Mexico/Esto Es Nuevo México’ by Severo Martinez;
- Ralph the Reader and Ricky the Roadrunner figures and stands;
- A classroom poster to document monthly superhero readers;
- Class stickers; and
- A sheet with QR codes linking to data charts, a recorded read-aloud of ‘This is New Mexico/Esto Es Nuevo México’, the Level Up Reading Challenge blog and a video explaining the challenge.
The PED supports teachers with instruction and guidance on the science of reading and evidence-based strategies through Canvas courses and the promotion of LETRS training. Data-driven reading instruction includes differentiating core instruction, delivering focused interventions, small-group instruction and differentiating workstations. Istation will remain the required interim assessment for grades K-2, while the “Level Up” concept will apply to any interim assessments for grades 3-5.