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

RELATING TO EDUCATION; REQUIRING TEACHING OF BASIC LITERACY SKILLS IN GRADES ONE THROUGH THREE; REQUIRING CERTAIN TEACHER CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.

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

Section 1. Section 22-2-8.3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1986, Chapter 33, Section 4, as amended) is amended to read:

"22-2-8.3. SUBJECT AREAS--MINIMUM INSTRUCTIONAL AREAS REQUIRED--ACCREDITATION.--

A. The state board shall require instruction in specific subject areas as provided in Subsections B through [F] G of this section. Any public school or school district failing to meet these minimum requirements shall not be accredited by the state board.

B. All first and second grade classes shall provide daily instruction in language arts skills, including phonics, and mathematics.

C. All third grade classes shall provide daily instruction in language arts skills and mathematics.

D. All first, second and third grade classes shall provide daily instruction in direct, systematic and intensive phonics instruction, including:

(1) the twenty-six letters of the alphabet, their forty-four sounds and seventy or more blends of letters in a systematic manner from part to whole to a point of complete familiarity; and

(2) by third grade level, a reading fluency sufficient to allow reading an unfamiliar selection at their grade level with better than ninety-five percent accuracy.

[D.] E. All fourth, fifth and sixth grade classes shall provide instruction in language arts skills, with an emphasis on writing and editing; mathematics; science; and social studies, including geography. The following subject areas shall be offered in the remaining instructional time: art; music; physical education; health; and computer literacy, including a general familiarization with computers and support in the areas of mathematics and writing through word processing.

[E.] F. All seventh grade classes shall provide instruction in English, with an emphasis on grammar and writing; communication skills or science; New Mexico history and geography; mathematics; and physical fitness. Remaining instructional time may be used for electives listed in Subsection [G] H of this section.

[F.] G. All eighth grade classes shall provide instruction in English, mathematics, United States history and science. Remaining instructional time may be used for electives listed in Subsection [G] H of this section.

[G.] H. The electives authorized in Subsections [E and] F and G of this section are art, industrial arts, chorus, band, home economics, typing, creative writing, speech, drama, Spanish, computer literacy, American sign language and other electives approved by the state board."

Section 2. Section 22-2-8.7 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1986, Chapter 33, Section 8, as amended) is amended to read:

"22-2-8.7. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.--

A. The state board shall require any person seeking certification in elementary and secondary education to complete the following minimum requirements in the college of arts and sciences:

(1) twelve hours in English;

(2) twelve hours in history, including American history and western civilization;

(3) six hours in mathematics;

(4) six hours in government, economics or sociology;

(5) twelve hours in science, including biology, chemistry, physics, geology, zoology and botany; [and]

(6) six hours in fine arts; and

(7) six hours in direct, systematic and intensive phonics.

B. The state board shall require, prior to certification, no less than fourteen weeks of student teaching, a portion of which shall occur in the first thirty credit hours taken in the college of education and shall be under the direct supervision of a certified school instructor and a portion of which shall occur in the student's senior year with the student teacher being directly responsible for the classroom.

C. Nothing in this section shall preclude the state board from establishing or accepting equivalent requirements for purposes of reciprocal certification or minimum requirements for alternative certification.

[D. The requirements in Subsections A and B of this section shall apply to students first entering a college or university beginning in the fall of 1986.

E.] D. Vocational teacher preparatory programs may be exempt from Subsections A and B of this section upon a determination by the state board that other certification requirements are more appropriate for vocational teacher preparatory programs."