Next Step Plan

Next Step Plan (NSP)

Each student shall complete a next step plan for each high school year. The plan shall be aligned to the graduate profile of the student’s school district or charter school and shall be completed on a department-approved template. For students with individualized education programs (IEPs), the transition plan substitutes for the next step plan. The College and Career Readiness Bureau (CCRB) is working with counselors across the state and Level All Inc. to adapt and improve the NSP process for students.

Next Step Plan in Statute

1. The purpose of the New Mexico Diploma of Excellence is to demonstrate that a student is ready for success in post-secondary education, gainful employment, and citizenship and is equipped with the skills to be a lifelong learner.  The purpose of the state’s minimum graduation requirements is to establish rigorous expectations to support that success.
2. School districts and charter schools are encouraged to make available courses and programs of study that allow students to pursue a range of post-secondary opportunities and workforce opportunities and gain knowledge in entrepreneurship principles, as determined by the student’s next-step plan and the school district’s or charter school’s graduate profile.
3. At the end of grades eight through eleven, each student shall prepare an interim next-step plan that sets forth the coursework for the grades remaining until high school graduation.  Each year’s plan shall be aligned to the graduate profile of the student’s school district or charter school, shall be completed on a department-approved template, shall explain any differences from previous interim next-step plans, shall be filed with the principal of the student’s high school and shall be signed by the student, the student’s parent and the student’s guidance counselor or other school official charged with coursework planning for the student.
4. Each student must complete a final next-step plan during the senior year and prior to graduation.  The plan shall be aligned to the graduate profile of the student’s school district or charter school, shall be completed on a department-approved template, shall be filed with the principal of the student’s high school and shall be signed by the student, the student’s parent and the student’s guidance counselor or other school official charged with coursework planning for the student.
5. An individualized education plan that meets the requirements of Subsections C and D of this section and that meets all applicable transition and procedural requirements of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for a student with a disability shall satisfy the next-step plan requirements of this section for that student.
6. A local school board or governing body of a charter school shall ensure that each high school student develops a next-step plan based on reports of college and workplace readiness assessments, as available, and other factors and is reasonably informed about:
   • curricular and course options, including honors or advanced placement courses, international baccalaureate courses, dual-credit courses, distance learning courses, career clusters and career pathways, pre-apprenticeship programs or remediation programs that the college and workplace readiness assessments indicate to be appropriate;
   • opportunities available that lead to different post-high-school options; and
   • alternative opportunities available if the student does not finish a planned curriculum.

Source: NMSA 22-13-1.1. Graduation requirements, next-step plans

What is the Next Step Plan (NSP)?

• The NSP is a personal, written plan that is developed by each student at the end of grades 8–11 and during the senior year (grade 12).
• For grades 8–11, the plan is called an interim NSP, and for grade 12, it is called a final NSP.
• The purpose of the plan is to target the student’s postsecondary interests and set forth the studies he or she will complete during high school to be on track for graduation. The student reviews and updates his or her NSP annually, and each year’s plan must explain any differences from the previous year’s NSP.
• Each year’s plan should align with the approved graduate profile and should be completed on a PED-approved template.
• NSP ensures students are reasonably informed about course options, including AP, IB, DC, career clusters and pathways, pre-apprenticeship programs, and remediation opportunities.

Next Step Plan Requirements

1. Each grade-level next step plan shall be completed within the last 60 school days of the preceding school year (for example, the 9th grade interim next step plan shall be made before the end of the 8th grade year).
2. Only one grade-level next step plan shall be completed for a student each year.
3. The development of the next step plan shall include the student, the student’s parent or guardian, and the advisor, but may include additional relevant parties.
4. The advisor shall collaborate with the student and the student’s parent or guardian on academic choices that target the student’s interests and meet graduation requirements.
5. The next step plan shall address career clusters in career and technical education, academic support and study skills, extracurricular experiences and out-of-school activities, exposure to post-secondary education and career options, family and social supports, assessments, credentials and any other relevant information; as part of the next step plan, the advisor shall disseminate and share information concerning advanced placement, honors, dual-credit and distance learning programs.
6. The next step plan determines whether or not the student is on track with graduation requirements; the plan ensures that gaps in courses and test-taking are filled.
7. The next step plan may be made in large-group, small-group, or individual student settings.
8. The advisor has the responsibility to see that the student is reasonably informed about the curriculum and course options, opportunities available that lead to broader post-high school options, and alternative opportunities available if the student does not finish a planned curriculum.
9. The next step plan shall be signed by the student, the student’s parent or guardian, and the advisor.
10. The completed next step plan shall be filed with the school principal or charter school administrator, and only the final next step plan shall be filed in the student’s cumulative file upon graduation.

Additional Information

• Under state law at Subsection B of 12-2A-3 NMSA 1978, a person is no longer a minor the moment he or she turns 18 years old. Therefore, for schools working with students who are 18 or older, parental signature and approval of the NSP is not required.
• The Individualized Education Program (IEP) team for grades 8–12 must incorporate all the state’s NSP requirements into the student’s IEP. Once a student reaches age 14, the IEP must also include all the transition IEP requirements of state special rule at Subsection G of 6.31.2.11 NMAC and the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) at 34 CFR Secs. 300.320(b) and 300.324(c).

The resources and information below are the foundations for the implementation of Next Step Plans at your district or school:

Free Access to Level All, Inc.

In 2024, NM PED signed an agreement with Level All Inc. to make their College and Career Readiness Platform and virtual Next Step Plan available to all New Mexico school districts at no cost. To schedule a demo and learn more, contact newmexico@levelall.com. 

Resources