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

RELATING TO EDUCATION; PROVIDING FOR AN EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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] EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM.--

A. The department of education, upon approval of an early literacy program for students from kindergarten through second grade, shall distribute money to those school districts that address program elements established by the department of education, including:

(1) intensive literacy programs prior to third grade for students not reading at grade level; and

(2) literacy programs before or after school or on weekends.

B. A school district's application to the department of education for an early literacy program distribution shall include a family involvement component that is based on family support principles for each of the program elements."

Section 2. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] PROGRAM APPROVAL.--

A. An approved early literacy program shall support the educational and developmental needs of students in kindergarten through second grade, address cultural diversity and provide family support.

B. An approved early literacy program, in addition to programs already offered pursuant to Section 22-2-8.3 NMSA 1978, shall consist of a minimum of ninety hours of instruction per academic year for kindergarten students and a minimum of one hundred eighty hours of instruction per academic year for students in first and second grade.

C. An approved early literacy program shall demonstrate the following components:

(1) engaging and abundant literacy materials appropriate to the age of the students;

(2) effective instructional techniques that incorporate the most recent research in the teaching of reading;

(3) thorough integration of reading and writing activities;

(4) training for teachers and parents; and

(5) annual pre- and post-program assessments for students that clearly reveal student outcomes.

D. School districts that receive funding shall evaluate and document the results of the early literacy program in terms of the number of students and families served, the services provided and the gains achieved by the students and report those results to the department of education."

Section 3. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.--

A. By July 1, 1999, the department of education shall develop guidelines for the approval process for early literacy programs and disseminate those guidelines to all school districts. The department shall provide technical assistance in developing proposals and shall define approval criteria, establish content standards and benchmarks that ensure students' progress and provide accountability to the public.

B. The department of education shall monitor early literacy programs, compile the results submitted by the school districts and make an annual report to the legislative education study committee."

Section 4. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM UNITS.--The number of early literacy program units is determined by multiplying the early literacy program MEM by the cost differential factor .03."

Section 5. APPROPRIATION.--Five million dollars ($5,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the state department of public education for expenditure in fiscal year 2000 to fund early literacy programs in the public schools. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 shall revert to the general fund.