Accreditation

Public School Code requires the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) to accredit public schools. The PED developed annual desktop accreditation procedures in 6.19.4 NMAC—Accreditation Procedures, effective July 1, 2024. The rule establishes processes enabling the department to issue accreditation approval and disapproval annually based on evidence of compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. The requirements included in the rule are consistent with existing law. As a subset of the many statutory requirements for public schools, the list reflects the department’s highest priorities for the programs and processes schools must have in place.  

Accreditation Timeline

• Reporting deadlines throughout the school year: Bureaus work with school districts and charter schools to catch up if deadlines are missed. Public-facing checklist reveals any gaps along the way.
• June 30: All ten components have been submitted and recorded.
• July: Using data from the prior year, the department submits accreditation recommendation to secretary.
• Aug.: Secretary makes accreditation approval decisions. Letters of approval or disapproval status sent with rationale.
• Sep. – Oct.: Appeals process as needed.
• Sep.-Dec.: On-site visits to support select LEAs & schools.

Program Contacts

Steven Heil, Policy and Data Analyst
PED.Accreditation@ped.nm.gov
505-309-1855