SENATE BILL 160

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Sue Wilson Beffort

AN ACT

RELATING TO CHILDREN; REQUIRING A PRESCHOOL TEACHER CREDENTIAL AND CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR LEAD TEACHERS IN A LICENSED FACILITY OR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN THREE TO FIVE YEARS OF AGE.

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

     Section 1. A new section of Chapter 32A, Article 16 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] SHORT TITLE.--Sections 1 through 4 of this act may be cited as the "Preschool Teacher Credentialing Act"."

     Section 2. A new section of Chapter 32A, Article 16 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Preschool Teacher Credentialing Act:

          A. "lead teacher" means a teacher who is responsible for planning for and teaching in an early childhood education classroom; and

          B. "preschool credential" means a credential issued by the department that is available to a person who teaches or has taught in a classroom with children ages three to five and who has one of the following combinations of qualifications:

                (1) a minimum of five years working in a licensed early childhood education or preschool program, successful completion of the New Mexico teacher competency test in early childhood education and a portfolio identifying prior early childhood education;

                (2) a child care professional, child development associate or preschool associate credential, a minimum of three years working in a licensed early childhood education or preschool program and successful completion of the New Mexico teacher competency test in early childhood development;

                (3) a New Mexico child development certificate issued by the department;

                (4) an associate degree in early childhood education; or

                (5) a bachelor of arts degree in a related area with a minimum of nine hours of early childhood education."

     Section 3. A new section of Chapter 32A, Article 16 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] PRESCHOOL CREDENTIAL REQUIRED.--By January 1, 2012, a lead teacher in a licensed early childhood facility, preschool facility or department pre-kindergarten program shall hold a preschool credential issued by the department."

     Section 4. A new section of Chapter 32A, Article 16 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIRED.--A lead teacher holding a credential in an early childhood education or preschool program licensed by the department shall complete at least thirty hours of continuing education in early childhood education annually."

     Section 5. Section 32A-16-4 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989, Chapter 290, Section 4, as amended) is amended to read:

     "32A-16-4. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD.--The child development board shall:

          A. recommend to the secretary of children, youth and families the hiring of a director of child development;

          B. consider and adopt licensure requirements, policies and procedures for individuals working in licensed or registered health facilities with children from birth to age five; provided that such licensure requirements shall not apply to individuals working in group homes pursuant to Section 9-8-13 NMSA 1978 and provided that the license requirements conform to the provisions of the Preschool Teacher Credentialing Act;

          C. consider and make recommendations to the public education department regarding additional licensure requirements for public school personnel working with public school children up to age eight;

          D. work with other state agencies to promote a uniform and comprehensive method of licensing child care personnel; provided that the licensing conforms to the provisions of the Preschool Teacher Credentialing Act;

          E. develop and adopt policies and procedures for the office of child development;

          F. develop levels of licensure for nonpublic school personnel depending upon the age of children served, the training facility used and the program in which the individual is employed; provided that the levels conform to the provisions of the Preschool Teacher Credentialing Act;

          G. work with the department of health to develop levels of licensure for nonpublic school personnel serving children who are developmentally delayed or at risk for developmental delay, birth through two years;

          H. develop and adopt program criteria for

state-funded preschool programs serving children from birth to age five; provided that criteria shall not apply to programs serving children who have a developmental delay or are at risk for developing a delay, birth through two years, and programs serving children who have a developmental delay, three through five years; and

          I. work with other state agencies to monitor the implementation of state-funded preschool program criteria."

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