HOUSE BILL 307

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Ben Lujan

AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO EXTEND A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NETWORK OF NEW MEXICO SECONDARY SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHERS TO IMPROVE THE READING, LITERACY AND TECHNOLOGY SKILLS OF THEIR STUDENTS; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

     Section 1. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NETWORK OF ENGLISH TEACHERS--APPROPRIATION.--

          A. One hundred forty-two thousand dollars ($142,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the public education department for expenditure in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 for the purpose of extending a professional development network of New Mexico secondary school English teachers to improve the reading, literacy and technology skills of their students. The network shall:

                (1) build on the infrastructure of the New Mexico virtual school and make electronic contact between classrooms a reality for a growing number of teachers;

                (2) emphasize using technology to teach to the potential of all children, including children for whom English is a second language; and

                (3) provide teachers with courses in literature and the teaching of writing, creative writing and theater arts that include content that is immediately transportable to their classrooms.

          B. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2005 shall revert to the general fund.

     Section 2. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

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