46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

RELATING TO EDUCATION; CREATING THE FUTURE TEACHERS PROGRAM TO RECRUIT, MENTOR AND PREPARE STUDENTS FOR CAREERS IN TEACHING; 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] FUTURE TEACHERS PROGRAM--CREATED--CONTRACT FOR SERVICES.--

A. The department of education shall design and implement the "future teachers program" to recruit, mentor and prepare students who attend the public schools and the public post-secondary educational institutions for a career in teaching.

B. The department of education may contract for services with a New Mexico nonprofit organization to design and implement the future teachers program. The program shall be based on successful practices that increase teaching excellence and shall include the following:

(1) a teacher preparation initiative that supplements higher education programs for teacher preparation and includes ongoing summer instruction in teaching methodologies, classroom experience and mentoring by New Mexico teachers who are recognized for their teaching excellence;

(2) a plan for students in grades six through the post-secondary level that provides activities to support and encourage students to enter the teaching profession. Activities may include current issues in education and hands-on opportunities to observe teachers, tutor younger students and learn teaching methods through innovative lessons; and

(3) an evaluation component that measures the short- and long-term success of the program."

Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--Three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the state department of public education for expenditure in fiscal year 2004 to design and implement the future teachers program. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2004 shall revert to the general fund.