HOUSE BILL 100

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2021

INTRODUCED BY

Raymundo Lara

AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS SYSTEMS STATEWIDE; PROVIDING REQUIREMENTS TO RECEIVE FUNDS.

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

     SECTION 1. APPROPRIATION.--

          A. Three million dollars ($3,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the public education department for expenditure in fiscal years 2022 through 2024 to contract with an organization to address long-term economic development throughout the state through increased college and career readiness by providing proven kindergarten through twelfth grade research-based college and career readiness systems that have a long history of a successful track record in New Mexico of serving low-income, Hispanic, Native American and African American students and other generationally underserved populations statewide. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2024 shall revert to the general fund.

          B. To receive funds, the organization shall have a proven college and career readiness program that:

                (1) contains comprehensive kindergarten through twelfth grade professional learning around leadership, instruction, cultural relevance, equity and proven systems;

                (2) aligns the program's activities under the current New Mexico data, accountability, sustainability and high achievement system in place by the public education department;

                (3) provides powerful teaching and learning strategies that support all content areas and can impact students on a schoolwide and statewide basis; and

                (4) directly remedies the opportunity gaps based on the Yazzie/Martinez v. State of New Mexico lawsuit by providing college and career opportunities for all New Mexico students.

          C. The public education department shall work in tandem with representatives of the school districts within the New Mexico alliance for college and career readiness in developing a process for the application and distribution of funds.