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

RELATING TO TEACHERS; REQUIRING COURSE WORK IN CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN EDUCATION.

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] CULTURAL DIVERSITY COURSE WORK.--

A. In addition to other requirements for certification in elementary or secondary education, a person seeking a standard or alternative certificate after January 1, 2005 shall have completed three credit hours in cultural diversity in education.

B. A person who holds a certificate in elementary or secondary education on the effective date of this act or who applies for a certificate before January 1, 2005 shall complete three credit hours in cultural diversity in education by January 1, 2006."

Section 2. [NEW MATERIAL] STATE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS--COLLEGES OF EDUCATION--COURSE IN CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN EDUCATION REQUIRED.--The colleges of education in the state post-secondary educational institutions shall develop and offer one or more courses in cultural diversity in education that focus on teaching future teachers the importance of cultural identity in learning and teaching strategies to improve learning skills of minority students.