HOUSE BILL 220
48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007
INTRODUCED BY
John A. Heaton
FOR THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE
AN ACT
RELATING TO EDUCATION; ENACTING THE MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION ACT; CREATING THE MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE BUREAU IN THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT; CREATING AN ADVISORY COUNCIL; CREATING A FUND; MAKING APPROPRIATIONS.
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] SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the "Mathematics and Science Education Act"."
Section 2. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Mathematics and Science Education Act:
A. "bureau" means the mathematics and science bureau;
B. "chief" means the chief of the bureau; and
C. "council" means the mathematics and science advisory council."
Section 3. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] BUREAU CREATED--DUTIES.--
A. The "mathematics and science bureau" is created in the department. The secretary shall appoint the chief as provided in the Public Education Department Act.
B. The bureau shall:
(1) administer the provisions of the Mathematics and Science Education Act;
(2) provide staff support for and coordinate the activities of the council;
(3) work with the council to develop a statewide strategic plan for mathematics and science education in the public schools and coordinate education activities with other state agencies, the federal government, business consortia and public or private organizations or other persons;
(4) ensure that school districts' plans include goals for improving mathematics and science education aligned to the department's strategic plan;
(5) recommend funding mechanisms that support the improvement of mathematics and science education in the state, including web-based mathematics and science curricula mentoring and web-based homework assistance;
(6) promote partnerships among public schools, higher education institutions, government, business and educational and community organizations to improve the mathematics and science education in the state; and
(7) assess the outcomes of efforts to improve mathematics and science education using existing data."
Section 4. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ADVISORY COUNCIL--CREATED--MEMBERS--TERMS--VACANCIES.--
A. The "mathematics and science advisory council" is created, composed of twelve members. Members of the council shall be appointed by the secretary for staggered terms of four years; provided that for the initial appointments, four members shall be appointed for two years, four members shall be appointed for three years and four members shall be appointed for four years. Members shall serve until their successors have been appointed and qualified. A vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the secretary for the unexpired term.
B. Using a statewide application process, the secretary shall appoint members from throughout the state so as to ensure representation of the state's demographics, including geographic distribution, gender and ethnic diversity and as follows:
(1) four members from public schools, including at least two mathematics and science teachers and a school district administrator with experience in mathematics and science curricula;
(2) three members from public post-secondary educational institutions with expertise in mathematics or science education;
(3) four members from the private sector, including the national laboratories, museums and science- and engineering-based businesses; and
(4) one member who represents the New Mexico partnership for mathematics and science education.
C. Members of the council shall elect a chair from among the membership. The council shall meet at the call of the chair not less than quarterly.
D. Members of the council are entitled to receive per diem and mileage pursuant to the provisions of the Per Diem and Mileage Act but shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance."
Section 5. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] COUNCIL DUTIES.--The council shall:
A. advise the bureau on implementation of the bureau's duties pursuant to the Mathematics and Science Education Act;
B. make recommendations to the bureau and the department regarding the statewide strategic plan for improving mathematics and science education and advise on its implementation and incorporation into the department's five-year strategic plan for public elementary and secondary education in the state;
C. advise the bureau, the department and the legislature regarding appropriations for mathematics and science education, administration, resources and services, including programs for public school students and staff;
D. work with the bureau to determine the need for improvement in mathematics and science achievement of public school students and make recommendations to the department on how to meet these needs; and
E. produce an annual report on public elementary and secondary mathematics and science student achievement to be submitted to the department, the governor and the legislature no later than November 30 of each year."
Section 6. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE PROFICIENCY FUND--CREATED--PURPOSE--ANNUAL REPORTS.--
A. The "mathematics and science proficiency fund" is created as a nonreverting fund in the state treasury. The fund consists of appropriations, gifts, grants, donations and income from investment of the fund. Disbursements from the fund shall be made by warrant of the secretary of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers signed by the secretary or the secretary's authorized representative.
B. The fund shall be administered by the department, and money in the fund is appropriated to the department to provide awards to public schools, school districts and public post-secondary educational institutions that implement innovative, research-based mathematics and science programs or professional development programs. The department shall promulgate rules for the application and award of money from the fund, including criteria to evaluate innovative, research-based mathematics and science programs and professional development programs.
C. Each award recipient shall provide an annual report to the bureau that includes a detailed budget report, a description of the services provided and documented evidence of the stated outcomes of the program funded by the mathematics and science proficiency fund and that provides other information requested by the bureau."
Section 7. APPROPRIATIONS.--
A. Three million dollars ($3,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the mathematics and science proficiency fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2008 and subsequent fiscal years to fund summer mathematics, science and reading institutes to increase the skills of public school mathematics and science instructors and include an emphasis on reading instruction in mathematics and science courses. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.
B. The following amounts are appropriated from the general fund to the following agencies for the following purposes for expenditure in fiscal year 2008, and any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2008 shall revert to the general fund:
(1) to the public education department:
(a) one hundred twenty thousand dollars ($120,000) to work with national laboratories and other federal science-related facilities and science and technology businesses to facilitate creation of internships for high school students and to help place student interns; and
(b) five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) to work with the institutions of higher education and the mathematics and science advisory council to increase the rigor of mathematics and science courses in teacher preparation programs; and
(2) to the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department, five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) to support a statewide outdoor classroom program.
- 8 -