SENATE BILL 580

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

Linda M. Lopez and Rick Miera

AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR A STUDY OF THE COSTS OF STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS AND THEIR EFFECTIVENESS IN IMPROVING EDUCATION AND REDUCING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP.

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

     SECTION 1. APPROPRIATION.--Two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the board of regents of the university of New Mexico for expenditure in fiscal year 2014 to fund a study of the number and kinds of assessments currently required or proposed by school districts, charter schools, the public education department, the federal government or any other entity; the per-student cost of assessments; the amount and percentage of instructional time dedicated to preparing students to take assessments and the amount and percentage of time spent by students taking assessments; and the ways that assessment data are used to improve instruction and reduce the achievement gaps that exist among groups of students, including English language learners, students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students and students from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2014 shall revert to the general fund.

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