SENATE BILL 273

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

INTRODUCED BY

Cynthia Nava

AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO FUND TRAINING, DEVELOPMENT AND RECRUITMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS OF READING, MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE AND TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF READING, MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION.

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

     Section 1. APPROPRIATION.--

          A. Four million forty-nine thousand five hundred dollars ($4,049,500) is appropriated from the general fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2010 to fund training and development of reading, mathematics and science teachers and to promote public awareness of the importance of reading, mathematics and science education as follows:

                (1) to the public education department in the following amounts:

                     (a) two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) for a reading, mathematics and science summer professional development program;

                     (b) two hundred forty thousand dollars ($240,000) for travel expenses for volunteers and incentives to public schools to support subject-matter expert volunteers to assist teaching of mathematics and science subjects in public schools and to mentor public school teachers and students in those subjects; and

                     (c) sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) to begin a public awareness campaign to emphasize the importance of mathematics and science education for students and the state; and

                (2) to the higher education department in the following amounts:

                     (a) one million two hundred four thousand five hundred dollars ($1,204,500) to revise teacher education programs and create a system of incentives to attract more New Mexico college and university students to elementary and high school mathematics and science teaching careers; and

                     (b) forty-five thousand dollars ($45,000) to convene a statewide conference to develop an implementation plan for improving mathematics and science teacher education in New Mexico.

           B. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2010 shall revert to the general fund.

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