SENATE BILL 499

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Gay G. Kernan

AN ACT

RELATING TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL; GRANTING A FOUR-YEAR LEVEL ONE LICENSE; PROVIDING THAT A LEVEL ONE TEACHER MUST TEACH AT LEVEL ONE FOR AT LEAST THREE FULL YEARS BEFORE APPLYING FOR A LEVEL TWO LICENSE; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

     Section 1. Section 22-10A-7 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 153, Section 38) is amended to read:

     "22-10A-7. LEVEL ONE LICENSURE.--

          A. A level one license is a provisional [three-year] four-year license for beginning teachers that requires as a condition of licensure that the licensee undergo a formal mentorship program and an annual intensive performance evaluation by a school administrator for at least three full school years before applying for a level two license.

          B. Each school district, in accordance with [state board] department rules, shall provide for the mentorship and evaluation of level one teachers. At the end of each year and at the end of the license period, the level one teacher shall be evaluated for competency. If the teacher fails to demonstrate satisfactory progress and competence annually, the teacher may be terminated as provided in Section 22-10A-24 NMSA 1978. If the teacher has not demonstrated satisfactory progress and competence by the end of the [three-year] four-year period, [he] the teacher shall not be granted a level two license.

          C. Except in exigent circumstances defined by [state board] department rule, a level one license shall not be extended beyond the initial period.  

          D. The department shall issue a standard level one license to an applicant who is at least eighteen years of age who:

                (1) holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited educational institution;

                (2) has successfully completed a [state board-approved] department-approved teacher preparation program from a nationally accredited or state-approved educational institution;

                (3) has passed the New Mexico teacher assessments examination; and

                (4) meets other qualifications for level one licensure, including clearance of the required background check.

          E. The department shall issue an alternative level one license to an applicant who meets the requirements of Section 22-10A-8 NMSA 1978.

          F. The [state board] department shall establish competencies and qualifications for specific grade levels, types and subject areas of level one licensure, including early childhood, elementary, middle school, secondary, special education and vocational education.

          G. Beginning with the 2003-2004 school year, with the adoption by the [state board] department of a highly objective uniform statewide standard of evaluation for level one teachers, the minimum salary for a level one teacher shall be thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for a standard nine and one-half month contract.

          H. Teachers who hold level one licenses on the effective date of [this] the 2003 act must be evaluated by the end of the 2006-2007 school year."

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

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