44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

RELATING TO EDUCATION; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR AFTER-SCHOOL MENTORSHIP PILOT PROGRAMS; PROVIDING AN APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE PILOT PROGRAMS.

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

Section 1. APPROPRIATION.--One million dollars ($1,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the state department of public education for expenditure in fiscal year 2000 for the purpose of supporting the development, implementation and evaluation of school-based after-school mentorship programs in intermediate, middle and high schools. The appropriation shall be distributed by the state department of public education to local school districts for up to four school-based programs. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 shall revert to the general fund.

Section 2. APPLICATION PROCESS FOR PILOT PROGRAM.--

A. The state department of public education shall establish a process for schools to apply for a school-based after-school mentorship pilot program. The application shall include provisions addressing the following:

(1) professional development for instructors to train in after-school mentorship methodologies;

(2) the training of adult volunteers in mentorship skills; and

(3) the training of peer mentors.

B. Each applicant shall perform a results-based evaluation. The pilot programs shall implement the state board of education's applicable content standards and benchmarks.