NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

State Department of Public Education (SDE)

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

SUMMARY

     Synopsis of HEC Amendment

The House Education Committee amendment inserts an additional duty for the State Board of Education which requires the board to approve education curricula and programs offered in two-year public post-secondary institutions that lead to certificates for alternative certification.

Synopsis of SPAC Amendment

The Senate Public Affairs Committee amendment corrects drafting errors made in the SEC amendments. The amendment also inserts additional language to allow both an off-campus board of a community college and a technical and vocational institute board to award an appropriate certificate upon completion of an alternative certification program approved by the State Board of Education. The amendment also authorizes the State Board of Education to approve education curricula and programs offered in all two-year public post-secondary educational institutions with the exception of New Mexico Military Institute but including Northern New Mexico Community College.

     Synopsis of SEC Amendment

The Senate Education Committee amendment removes references to "certified school instructor" and replaces them with "degreed individual pursuant to 22-10-3.5" which is the section in the Public School Code that describes the qualifications for persons seeking an alternative license. The amendment also removes language that would have required the State Board of Education to approve courses for professional development purposes and replaces it with language requiring the State Board to approve only curriculum and programs leading to alternative certification or certification of educational assistant.

Synopsis of Original Bill

Senate Bill 28 amends Chapter 21, State and Private Education Institutions, NMSA 1978, to authorize two-year post-secondary educational institutions to award appropriate certificates upon completion of an education curriculum and program leading to alternative certification for certified school instructor or certification of educational assistant and professional development for teachers.

This bill also amends the Public School Code to require the State Board of Education to approve education curricula and programs offered in two-year public post-secondary institutions that lead to certificates for alternative certification and coursework for professional development.

Significant Issues

According to SDE, New Mexico is facing a shortage of approximately 1,500 teachers per year. New Mexico's institutions of higher education prepare approximately 1,300 new teachers per year and not all become teachers in New Mexico. Thus, the gap between teacher supply and demand is increasing, especially given current attrition rates. Community colleges can help with the teacher shortage by offering alternative licensure programs for persons who already possess a degree but have not completed a formal teacher education program.

CHE indicates that language in this bill conflicts with existing degree approval authority for public two-year post-secondary institutions in New Mexico and appears to create a different standard for program approval for one particular academic area versus all others. Since approval of programs is currently required by CHE and the board of regents, CHE recommends amending the statutory definitions of community colleges and branch community colleges to allow for post-baccalaureate alternative licensure programs for teachers.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

This bill does not contain an appropriation.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

According to SDE, the administrative impact will be minimal. SDE staff will coordinate program approval with the State Board of Education.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

SDE indicates that professional development courses which meet the needs of the local school district should not be subject to State Board approval. The local district should be responsible for ensuring that professional development activities are aligned with the district's Educational Plan for Student Success (EPSS).

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