45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2001

RELATING TO EDUCATION; PROVIDING FOR IMPROVEMENT IN PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS' READING PROFICIENCIES; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

Section 1. Section 22-2-6.11 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2000 (2nd S.S.), Chapter 14, Section 1) is amended to read:

"22-2-6.11. READING INITIATIVE--DESIGN.--

A. The [state] department of [public] education shall design and implement a statewide reading initiative to improve reading proficiency in the state. The design of the reading initiative shall be based upon quality, research-based reading programs shown to improve reading proficiency and shall include the following:

(1) consistent assessment and evaluation of student reading levels;

(2) appropriate professional staff development to assist classroom certified instructional staff in the instruction of reading programs;

(3) extra time in the student's day or year for implementation of reading programs; [and]

(4) rewards provided to certified school instructors in schools that improve student reading proficiency; and

(5) criteria for schools to establish an individualized reading plan for students who fail to meet grade level reading proficiency standards.

B. The [state] department of [public] education shall use national experts to work with the department to develop an immediate reading initiative and a long-term plan for sustained reading improvement.

C. The [state] department of [public] education shall involve [local] school district personnel, especially certified elementary reading specialists, parents and other interested persons in the design of the reading initiative."

Section 2. Section 22-2-6.12 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2000 (2nd S.S.), Chapter 14, Section 2) is amended to read:

"22-2-6.12. PUBLIC SCHOOL READING PROFICIENCY FUND--CREATED.--The "public school reading proficiency fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund shall consist of appropriations, gifts, grants and donations. The fund shall be administered by the [state] department of [public] education, and money in the fund is appropriated to the department to distribute awards to local schools that implement innovative, research-based reading programs. The [state] department of [public] education shall develop procedures and rules for the application and award of money from the fund, including criteria upon which to evaluate innovative, research-based reading programs. Schools receiving funds shall show evidence that they are using quality, research-based reading programs to improve reading proficiency and shall develop individualized reading plans for students who fail to meet grade level reading proficiency standards. Disbursements of the fund shall be made by warrant of the department of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers signed by the state superintendent [of public instruction]. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining in the fund at the end of any fiscal year shall not revert but shall remain to the credit of the fund."

Section 3. APPROPRIATION.--One million dollars ($1,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the public school reading proficiency fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2002 and subsequent fiscal years to continue the statewide reading initiative to improve student reading proficiencies. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.