HOUSE BILL 30

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Debra M. Sariñana

 

 

 

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; AMENDING THE TEACHER RESIDENCY ACT; PROVIDING THAT THE AMOUNT OF THE STIPEND FOR A TEACHING RESIDENT BE SET AT A PERCENTAGE OF THE STATUTORY MINIMUM SALARY FOR LEVEL ONE TEACHERS BASED ON THE RESIDENT'S QUALIFICATIONS; PROVIDING THAT A TEACHING RESIDENT MAY WORK AT ANY PUBLIC SCHOOL AFTER THE RESIDENCY INSTEAD OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THE SPONSORING SCHOOL DISTRICT; PROVIDING THAT A PARTNER SCHOOL DISTRICT OR CHARTER SCHOOL SHALL BE EXPECTED TO OFFER EMPLOYMENT TO A TEACHING RESIDENT DEPENDING ON THE DISTRICT'S OR CHARTER SCHOOL'S STAFFING NEEDS AND THE RESIDENT'S PERFORMANCE.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. Section 22-10B-4 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2020, Chapter 25, Section 4, as amended) is amended to read:

     "22-10B-4. TEACHER RESIDENCY PROGRAM COMPONENTS.--A teacher residency program established pursuant to the Teacher Residency Act shall include:

          A. competitive admission requirements with multiple criteria;

          B. rigorous department-approved teacher preparation program coursework, which shall be offered while the teaching resident undertakes a full academic year of guided apprenticeship in the classroom of a level two or level three teacher at the partner [area] school district or charter school;

          C. a co-teaching approach to expose teaching residents to a variety of teaching methods, philosophies and classroom environments;

          D. clear criteria for the selection of level two and level three teachers based on measures of teacher effectiveness and the appropriate subject area knowledge;

          E. providing level two and level three teachers with ongoing evidence-based training in coaching and mentoring teaching residents and compensation for time and added responsibility;

          F. grouping teaching residents in cohorts to facilitate professional collaboration among residents and placing teaching residents in teaching schools or professional development programs that are organized to support a high-quality teacher learning experience in a supportive work environment;

          G. measures of appropriate progress through the program;

          H. for a teaching resident who is an undergraduate, a stipend of no less than [thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000) per year for teaching residents] sixty-five percent of the statutory minimum salary for a level one teacher and, for a teaching resident who has a bachelor's degree, a stipend of no less than eighty percent of the statutory minimum salary for a level one teacher;

          I. a stipend of no less than two thousand dollars ($2,000) per year for level two and level three teachers participating in the program;

          J. a stipend of no less than two thousand dollars ($2,000) per year for principals or head administrators at the partner school district or charter school;

          K. funding of no less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per year for teacher residency program coordinators at each department-approved New Mexico teacher residency program;

          L. a post-completion commitment by teaching residents to serve a minimum of three years at [schools in the sponsoring school district] a public school;

          M. an expectation of an offer of employment [for] to the teaching resident from the partner school district or charter school, depending on the district's or charter school's staffing needs and the resident's performance;

          N. support for teaching residents for not less than one year following the resident's completion of the program through the provision of mentoring, professional development and networking opportunities; and

          O. demonstration of the integral role and responsibilities of the partner [area] school district or charter school in fulfilling the purpose of the program."

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