HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL 38

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

AN ACT

RELATING TO EXECUTIVE ORGANIZATION; CREATING THE MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE BUREAU OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT; PROVIDING DUTIES; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     Section 1. A new section of the Public Education Department Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE BUREAU--CHIEF.--The "mathematics and science bureau" is created in the instructional support and vocational education division of the department. The secretary shall appoint a chief of the bureau."

     Section 2. A new section of the Public Education Department Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE BUREAU--DUTIES.--Subject to the rules of the department, the bureau shall:

          A. create a New Mexico mathematics and science educational model that is research- based and that aligns curriculum and funding at the district school level;

          B. develop and implement a structure for comprehensive, sequential, ongoing professional development for teachers to develop and refine the content knowledge they need to effectively teach mathematics and science to all students;

          C. work with the higher education department to increase the rigor of post-secondary mathematics and science requirements for students enrolled in teacher education programs and to make content-area master's degree programs more accessible for practicing teachers;

          D. create opportunities and incentives for middle-school and high-school students to pursue advanced work in mathematics and science;

          E. establish a mathematics and science advisory council that is representative of the government, education, research and business sectors; 

          F. create highly visible and ongoing public awareness programs to increase public interest in and enthusiasm for mathematics and science; and

          G. no later than December 1 of each year, provide a report to the legislative education study committee on the condition of mathematics and science education in New Mexico, including:

                (1) student achievement as measured by the required state standards-based academic performance tests and by the national assessment of educational progress;

                (2) the number of students required to take remedial mathematics courses in New Mexico's post-secondary educational institutions;

                (3) the number and types of professional development activities provided for teachers of mathematics and science;

                (4) the efficacy of the New Mexico mathematics and science educational model; and

                (5) any recommended changes to the structure of the model."

     Section 3. APPROPRIATION.--Four hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($425,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the public education department for expenditure in fiscal year 2007 to establish the mathematics and science bureau in the instructional support and vocational education division of department. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2007 shall revert to the general fund.

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