SENATE BILL 291

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2012

INTRODUCED BY

Tim Eichenberg

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; REQUIRING CREDITS FOR CERTAIN CLASSES IN SIXTH THROUGH EIGHTH GRADES.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 22-13-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 153, Section 57, as amended) 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 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 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.

          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. In sixth through eighth grades, media literacy may be offered as an elective.

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

          H. Beginning with the 2013-2014 school year, in preparation for high school course work, sixth through eighth grades shall require successful completion of a minimum number of units in language arts, mathematics, science and social studies aligned to the state academic content and performance standards as follows:

                (1) in sixth grade:

                     (a) one unit in language arts; and

                     (b) one unit in mathematics;

                (2) in seventh grade:

                     (a) one unit in language arts;

                     (b) one unit in mathematics;

                     (c) one unit in science; and

                     (d) one unit in social studies; and

                (3) in eighth grade:

                     (a) one unit in language arts;

                     (b) one unit in mathematics;

                     (c) one unit in science;

                     (d) one unit in social studies; and

                     (e) two electives."

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