SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE BILL 687

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

AN ACT

RELATING TO EDUCATION; MAKING CERTAIN MILITARY DEPENDENTS OF NEW MEXICO RESIDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR STATE-FUNDED FINANCIAL AID; PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A NEW MEXICO HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA TO CERTAIN MILITARY DEPENDENTS.

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] HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA--RESIDENT MILITARY DEPENDENTS.--

          A. A New Mexico resident high school student who is required to move out of state because the student's parent is a member of the New Mexico national guard or a branch of the armed forces of the United States and the parent is transferred to an out-of-state location may receive a New Mexico high school diploma under the following conditions:

                (1) the student was a New Mexico resident and was regularly enrolled in a New Mexico high school prior to the parent being transferred to an out-of-state location;

                (2) the student's parent notified the school district of the move and that the parent and student were retaining their New Mexico residency;

                (3) the student transferred to and immediately enrolled in a high school at the new location and received high school credits that meet or exceed New Mexico's requirements for graduation; and

                (4) the student has not graduated from high school or received a diploma, general educational development certificate or any other certification of high school completion or its equivalent.

          B. A student who meets the conditions of Subsection A of this section may request the New Mexico school district from which the student transferred to grant a high school diploma. The student shall include with the request for a New Mexico high school diploma:

                (1) certification by the parent, and the student if over the age of eighteen, that the parent and student maintained their New Mexico residency;

                (2) a transcript from the high school the student attended and a description of the course units to be transferred; and

                (3) any other information the school district requires to review the request.

          C. The school district shall review the student's high school transcript from the school the student transferred to and determine if the courses and grades meet or exceed New Mexico's requirements for graduation. If the transcript meets New Mexico standards, the school district shall grant the student a high school diploma."

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