SENATE BILL 638

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

INTRODUCED BY

Linda M. Lopez

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; MANDATING A CURRICULUM THAT INCLUDES TEACHING AND TRAINING IN TOLERANCE, DIVERSITY AWARENESS AND COMMUNICATION.

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

     Section 1. A new section of Chapter 22, Article 13 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] TOLERANCE CURRICULUM.--The department shall develop standards for a kindergarten through grade twelve curriculum in tolerance, diversity awareness and communication and require the teaching of tolerance and training in diversity communication at every level through graduation. The department shall establish by rule the standards for an acceptable program for each grade level."

     Section 2. Section 22-13-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 153, Section 57, as amended by Laws 2007, Chapter 307, Section 7 and by Laws 2007, Chapter 308, Section 7) is amended to read:

     "22-13-1. SUBJECT AREAS--MINIMUM INSTRUCTIONAL AREAS REQUIRED--ACCREDITATION.--

          A. The department shall require public schools to address department-approved academic content and performance standards when instructing in specific department-required subject areas as provided in this section. A public school or school district failing to meet these minimum requirements shall not be accredited by the department.

          B. All kindergarten through third grade classes shall provide daily instruction in tolerance, diversity awareness and communication, reading and language arts skills, including phonemic awareness, phonics and comprehension, and in mathematics. Students in kindergarten and first grades shall be screened and monitored for progress in reading and language arts skills and students in second grade shall take diagnostic tests on reading and language arts skills.

          C. All first, second and third grade classes shall provide instruction in art, music [and] a language other than English and tolerance, diversity awareness and communication, and instruction that meets content and performance standards shall be provided in science, social studies, physical education and health education.

          D. In fourth through eighth grades, instruction that meets academic content and performance standards shall be provided in the following subject areas:

                (1) reading and language arts skills, with an emphasis on writing and editing for at least one year and an emphasis on grammar and writing for at least one year;

                (2) mathematics;

                (3) language other than English;

                (4) communication skills;

                (5) science;

                (6) art;

                (7) music;

                (8) social studies;

                (9) New Mexico history;

                (10) United States history;

                (11) geography;

                (12) physical education; [and]

                (13) health education; and

                (14) tolerance, diversity awareness and communication.

          E. Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, in eighth grade, algebra 1 shall be offered in regular classroom settings or through online courses or agreements with high schools.

          F. In fourth through eighth grades, school districts shall offer electives that contribute to academic growth and skill development and provide career and technical education.

          G. In fourth through eighth grades, school districts shall offer a tolerance, diversity awareness and communication course that contributes to healthy socialization.

          [G.] H. In ninth through twelfth grades, instruction that meets academic content and performance standards shall be provided in health education.

          I. In ninth through twelfth grades, instruction that meets performance standards shall be provided in tolerance, diversity awareness and communication."

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