SENATE BILL 217

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

William P. Soules

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION; CLARIFYING INDIVIDUAL CHOICE REGARDING ASSESSMENTS THAT ARE NOT FACTORED INTO A STUDENT'S GRADE POINT AVERAGE.

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] WAIVER FROM DEPARTMENT-APPROVED COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS ASSESSMENT AND OTHER ASSESSMENTS.--Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Public School Code:

          A. during a school year in which a student's parent has submitted to the principal of a public school or a school leader of a charter school a request for a waiver from taking the department-approved college and career readiness assessment or any other assessment that is not factored into the student's grade point average, the student shall receive a waiver effective for the school year;

          B. the absence of assessment results pursuant to this section shall not affect:

                (1) promotion and retention decisions regarding a student;

                (2) a student's eligibility to participate in any activity sanctioned by the school or the New Mexico activities association;

                (3) a student's eligibility to graduate from high school;

                (4) a student's eligibility to receive a New Mexico legislative lottery tuition scholarship;

                (5) school personnel decisions or consequences pursuant to the School Personnel Act or department rule; or

                (6) school ratings pursuant to the A-B-C-D-F Schools Rating Act or department rule; and

          C. the absence of a student on days when an assessment that is not factored into the student's grade point average is administered shall not affect the student's attendance record."

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