HOUSE BILL 310

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

W. Ken Martinez and Mary Kay Papen

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION; CREATING THE SCIENCE EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM AS A PILOT PROJECT; PROVIDING POWERS AND DUTIES; REQUIRING APPLICATIONS; REQUIRING MATCHING FUNDING; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] SCIENCE EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM--PILOT PROJECT--IMPLEMENTATION.--

          A. The "science early education program" is created as a five-year pilot project that is based on three-year student cohorts and that incorporates hands-on, age-appropriate physics education into the sixth through eighth grade curricula. The purpose of the science early education program is to enhance students' academic performance in science and mathematics.

          B. The department shall administer the science early education program and shall contract with an organization that provides professional development and materials for teachers to introduce physics education into the sixth through eighth grade curricula.

          C. The science early education program is designated for high-poverty public schools. For the purposes of the science early education program, "high-poverty public school" means a public school in which, at the time the public school applies for the program, eighty-five percent or more of the students are eligible for free or reduced-fee lunch.

          D. School districts may apply on behalf of their schools on a form and in a manner as provided by the department for a grant from the science early education fund. The department shall select for participation in the program as many schools as qualify, but not more than ten. To the extent possible, the department shall select schools that are based in regions of the state that are generally distinct from one another in their locations and population density. An approved school shall provide one-half of the funding for the program.

          E. Students participating in the science early education program shall be evaluated at the beginning of the program, and the students' progress shall be measured through standardized assessments in science and mathematics at the end of grades six, seven and eight.

          F. The department shall establish reporting and evaluation requirements for participating schools, including student and program assessments. At the end of each program year, the department shall provide to the legislature and the governor an interim or final report, as appropriate, on the efficacy of the science early education program."

     SECTION 2. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] SCIENCE EARLY EDUCATION FUND--CREATED.--

The "science early education fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund consists of appropriations, gifts, grants, donations and income from investment of the fund. The department shall administer the fund, and money in the fund is appropriated to the department to carry out the purposes of the science early education program. The department shall seek public and private grants and donations for the science early education program. Grants and donations shall be deposited in the fund. Money from a grant or donation shall be expended in accordance with the terms of that grant or donation. Unless otherwise specified by the terms of a grant or donation, the balance in the fund at the end of the program shall revert to the general fund. Expenditures from the fund shall be by warrants of the secretary of finance and administration drawn pursuant to vouchers signed by the secretary of public education or the secretary's authorized representative."

     SECTION 3. APPROPRIATION.--Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the science early education fund for expenditure in fiscal years 2015 through 2020 to carry out the provisions of the science early education program. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2020 shall revert to the general fund.

     SECTION 4. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

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