SENATE BILL 377

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

INTRODUCED BY

Linda M. Lopez and Sheryl Williams Stapleton

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; CREATING A STATEWIDE DIGITAL LEARNING TASK FORCE; ESTABLISHING MEMBERSHIP; PROVIDING DUTIES; ALLOWING CONTRACTS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     SECTION 1. STATEWIDE DIGITAL LEARNING TASK FORCE CREATED--MEMBERSHIP--DUTIES.--

          A. The "statewide digital learning task force" is created. The task force shall function from the date of its appointment until December 15, 2013.

          B. The task force is composed of the following members:

                (1) two members from the house of representatives and two members from the senate, appointed by the New Mexico legislative council; 

                (2) one member appointed by the governor;

                (3) six members representing public schools who are acknowledged leaders in digital learning, including representation from small, medium-sized and large school districts and including at least one teacher, one administrator and one tribal leader, appointed by the New Mexico legislative council from lists submitted by a statewide coalition of school administrators and a statewide teachers' organization;

                (4) one member representing a statewide organization of charter schools appointed by the organization‛s board of directors;

                (5) one member representing teacher preparation programs in the state‛s colleges of education; and

                (6) one member who is an acknowledged leader in national models and standards for ensuring quality digital learning appointed by the New Mexico legislative council.

          C. Vacancies on the task force shall be filled by appointment by the original appointing authority.

          D. Members of the task force are entitled to per diem and mileage as provided for in the Per Diem and Mileage Act and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance.

          E. Staff for the task force shall be provided by the legislative council service, the legislative education study committee, the legislative finance committee and the public education department. Staff shall provide technical assistance to the contractor selected pursuant to Subsection F of this section.

          F. The task force shall:

                (1) develop a work plan and budget for approval by the New Mexico legislative council;

                (2) approve the request for proposals for a contractor to study and advise the task force in making recommendations for the implementation of a statewide digital learning system;

                (3) select the contractor; and

                (4) make recommendations to the legislature and the governor by December 15, 2013 on implementing a statewide digital learning system with long-term, three- to five-year goals, and near-term, one- to two-year goals.

          G. The request for proposals shall request a comprehensive study of digital learning in New Mexico, including:

                (1) an examination of digital learning plans implemented in other states, together with an evaluation of their efficacy;

                (2) an identification of quality standards and definitions for various digital learning methods and formats;

                (3) an accounting of digital learning systems already in place throughout the state;

                (4) an estimate of the fiscal, infrastructure and equipment requirements to implement a statewide digital learning system, together with the implementation of common core standards in New Mexico;

                (5) an identification of potential cost savings by implementing a statewide digital learning system;

                (6) an identification of potential funding and technology transition strategies; and

                (7) recommendations to update and align the Statewide Cyber Academy Act and existing distance learning rules with the proposed statewide digital learning system.

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the legislative council service for expenditure in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 to pay the expenses of the statewide digital learning task force and the cost of a contractor to study and advise the task force in making recommendations to implement a statewide digital learning system. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance at the end of fiscal year 2014 shall revert to the general fund.

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