New Mexico PED secretary talks free summer reading program, child literacy gains
From Conversations Different with Inez Russell Gomez by Santa Fe New Mexican
April 13, 2026 · 30 min · Season 3 · Episode 34
About this episode
The episode features New Mexico Public Education Secretary Mariana Padilla discussing the state's free summer reading program and its impact on child literacy.
On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by New Mexico Public Education Secretary Mariana Padilla. Secretary Padilla joins the podcast to discuss the state’s free summer reading program and how it has correlated to literacy improvements among children — a problem area New Mexico has struggled with for years. Padilla says the initiative is part of a larger goal, championed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, to get kids reading at a proficient level at an early age, so they are set up for future academic success. And this year, free math tutoring is in the works for students as well. In the episode, Padilla also shares how parents can best support their kids at home and why keeping them engaged during summer months matters when back-to-school time rolls around in the fall. To learn more or register for the free summer reading program, visit literacy.nm.gov See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
People in this episode
Host: Inez Russell Gomez
Guest: Mariana Padilla
Topics covered
- education
- child literacy
- summer reading program
- New Mexico
- academic success
Keywords
- summer reading program
- child literacy
- New Mexico
- education
- academic success
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: New Mexico Public Education, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
Places: New Mexico, literacy.nm.gov
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