46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; PROVIDING FOR EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS; CREATING A FUND; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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] ADVANCED PLACEMENT TEACHERS--PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT FUND--CREATED--DISTRIBUTIONS.--

A. The "advanced placement program development fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund consists of appropriations and gifts and grants from public or private sources. Money in the fund shall not revert to any other fund at the end of any fiscal year. The department of education shall administer the fund. Money in the fund is appropriated to the department for expenditure in fiscal year 2004 and subsequent fiscal years. Money in the fund shall be expended only upon warrant of the secretary of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers signed by the state superintendent or his authorized representative.

B. Money in the fund shall be used for public school teachers in grades six through twelve to obtain and maintain professional development relevant to the instruction of advanced placement courses or preparation of students for advanced placement courses and to develop curricula that prepare students for pre-advanced placement and advanced placement course work.

C. The department of education shall distribute money in the fund to school districts that have submitted a successful competitive proposal in response to the department's request for proposals. The department, in cooperation with the commission on higher education and New Mexico highlands university, shall develop application criteria and reporting and evaluation components. The criteria shall be reviewed annually to ensure that instructional strategies are based on most recent scientifically based research modes for effectively implementing advanced placement. The department shall provide technical assistance to school districts and monitor the grants to ensure that they are implemented as approved."

Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--One million dollars ($1,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the advanced placement professional development fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2004 and subsequent fiscal years to carry out the purposes of the fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.