HOUSE BILL 429

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

INTRODUCED BY

Sheryl Williams Stapleton

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; PROVIDING FOR A PROCEDURE WHEREBY CERTAIN GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS ARE MET BY CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION COURSES.

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

     Section 1. Section 22-13-1.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1986, Chapter 33, Section 5, as amended) is amended to read:

     "22-13-1.1. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS.--

          A. At the end of the eighth grade or during the ninth grade, each student shall prepare an individual program of study for grades nine through twelve. The program of study shall be signed by a student's parent.

          B. Successful completion of a minimum of twenty-three units aligned to the state academic content and performance standards shall be required for graduation. These units shall be as follows:

                (1) four units in English, with major emphasis on grammar and literature;

                (2) three units in mathematics, at least one of which is equivalent to the algebra 1 level or higher;

                (3) two units in science, one of which shall have a laboratory component; provided, however, that with students entering the ninth grade beginning in the 2005-2006 school year, three units in science shall be required, one of which shall have a laboratory component;

                (4) three units in social science, which shall include United States history and geography, world history and geography, and government and economics;

                (5) one unit in physical education or other physical activity;  

                (6) one unit in communication skills or business education, with a major emphasis on writing and speaking and that may include a language other than English; and

                (7) nine elective units and eight elective units for students entering the ninth grade in the 2005-2006 school year that meet [state board] department content and performance standards. Student service learning shall be offered as an elective.

          C. The department shall establish a procedure whereby students may be awarded credit for certain graduation requirements through successful completion of specified career technical education courses.

          [C.] D. Final examinations shall be administered to all students in all classes offered for credit.

          [D.] E. A student shall not receive a high school diploma who has not passed a state graduation examination in the subject areas of reading, English, math, writing, science and social science. The state graduation examination on social science shall include a section on the constitution of the United States and the constitution of New Mexico. If a student exits from the school system at the end of grade twelve without having passed a state graduation examination, he shall receive an appropriate state certificate indicating the number of credits earned and the grade completed. If within five years after a student exits from the school system he takes and passes the state graduation examination, he may receive a high school diploma.

          [E.] F. The [state board] department may establish a policy to provide for administrative interpretations to clarify curricular and testing provisions of the Public School Code."

- 3 -