SENATE BILL 74

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2020

INTRODUCED BY

Mimi Stewart

 

 

 

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION; CREATING THE VOLUNTARY EARLY READING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM; CREATING THE EARLY READING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

 

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

     SECTION 1. Section 22-13-1.3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2000 (2nd S.S.), Chapter 14, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read:

     "22-13-1.3. READING INITIATIVE--DESIGN.--

          A. The department 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, scientifically based reading research that has been shown to improve reading proficiency and shall include the following:

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

                (2) appropriate professional staff development to assist licensed school employees in the instruction of reading;

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

                (4) rewards provided to teachers and other applicable licensed school employees in public schools that improve student reading proficiency; and

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

          B. The department 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 department shall involve school district personnel, especially licensed elementary reading specialists, parents and other interested persons in the design of the reading initiative.]

          C. The department shall design and implement a statewide, voluntary early reading professional development summer program by a licensed and accredited or credentialed teacher preparation provider that includes a detailed framework for structured literacy training as well as evidence-based training for working with students who demonstrate characteristics of reading disabilities, including dyslexia. Funds shall be prioritized for elementary schools in which eighty percent or more of the students are eligible for free or reduced-fee lunch.

          D. The department shall adopt rules for the statewide voluntary early reading professional development program that shall include the following:

                (1) scientifically researched and evidence-based instructional reading strategies that improve reading performance for all students, including explicit, systematic and sequential approaches to teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and text comprehension and multisensory intervention strategies;

                (2) strategies appropriate for the instruction of English language learners; and

                (3) strategies appropriate for instruction of students with disabilities."

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

     "[NEW MATERIAL] EARLY READING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND--CREATED--PURPOSE.--The "early reading professional development fund" is created as a nonreverting fund in the state treasury. The fund consists of appropriations, gifts, grants and donations. Money in the fund is subject to appropriation by the legislature to implement a statewide voluntary early reading professional development program for kindergarten through second grade teachers. Disbursements from the fund shall be made by warrant of the secretary of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers signed by the secretary of public education or the secretary's authorized representative."

     SECTION 3. APPROPRIATION.--Three million dollars ($3,000,000) is appropriated from the public education reform fund to the early reading professional development fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2021 for the public education department to develop and implement the voluntary early reading professional development program. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the public education reform fund.

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