SENATE BILL 347

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Harold Pope and Yanira Gurrola

AN ACT

RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION; CREATING THE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS PLUS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING AT NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of Chapter 21 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS PLUS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING.--

          A. The "science, technology, engineering and mathematics plus center of excellence for teaching and learning" is established at New Mexico state university to work toward developing and promoting innovation in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

          B. The science, technology, engineering and mathematics plus center of excellence for teaching and learning shall:

                (1) research and promote best practices for science, technology, engineering and mathematics plus statewide, with specific emphasis on ensuring educational opportunities for low-income individuals, Native Americans, English language learners and students with disabilities;

                (2) align and expand science, technology, engineering and mathematics plus educational opportunities with the needs of the workforce and promote economic development;

                (3) study and promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics plus and the relationship between education, career options and social mobility;

                (4) collect and maintain data and statistics on the science, technology, engineering and mathematics plus programs and activities and the science, technology, engineering and mathematics workforce in the state to determine the success of science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs and to inform educational and employment needs in the future; and

                (5) promote enhanced teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics through proven, experiential hands-on learning techniques, including teacher training programs in innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics education approaches.

          C. The science, technology, engineering and mathematics plus center of excellence for teaching and learning shall:

                (1) foster excellence in the noted fields through collaboration among leaders of the state's agencies, higher education institutions, business sector, national laboratories and community organizations; and

                (2) have the long-term goal of transforming science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in New Mexico to increase the numbers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics-ready graduates across all educational levels to staff high-wage employment.

          D. The science, technology, engineering and mathematics plus center of excellence for teaching and learning shall collaborate, and may provide funding when relevant, with partners throughout the state to implement teaching and learning programs on a regional basis consistent with the demography, available infrastructure and social needs of each region.

          E. The science, technology, engineering and mathematics plus center of excellence for teaching and learning shall:

                (1) actively seek, and may accept, public and private funding for the center's work;

                (2) establish short- and long-term goals for job creation, business creation and private equity investment outcomes of the center's work;

                (3) beginning in 2023, report annually to the higher education department and the legislative finance committee on the center's goals and achievements; and

                (4) be appropriately staffed to provide essential functions to evaluate, scale, replicate and promulgate its programs and achieve long-term goals, including leadership and strategic direction, database creation and management with statewide access, social media presence and mailings and evaluation of the efficacy of education programs fostered and promulgated by the science, technology, engineering and mathematics plus center of excellence for teaching and learning."

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Five million dollars ($5,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the board of regents of New Mexico state university for expenditure in fiscal years 2024 through 2026 to hire full-time staff for the science, technology, engineering and mathematics plus center of excellence for teaching and learning and for operational expenses. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2026 shall revert to the general fund.

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