SENATE BILL 551
47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006
INTRODUCED BY
Cynthia Nava
FOR THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
AN ACT
RELATING TO EDUCATION; PROVIDING FOR A STATEWIDE MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE PROFICIENCIES; CREATING THE MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE BUREAU OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT; CREATING THE MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ADVISORY COUNCIL; PROVIDING POWERS AND DUTIES; CREATING A FUND; PROVIDING AN APPLICATION PROCESS FOR GRANTS FROM THE FUND; PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR RECRUITMENT OF NEW MEXICO STUDENTS INTO INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT NATIONAL LABORATORIES AND SCIENCE-RELATED BUSINESSES IN NEW MEXICO; PROVIDING SUPPORT TO INCREASE THE RIGOR OF MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE COURSES IN TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS; PROVIDING FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE PROJECTS; MAKING APPROPRIATIONS.
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] SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the "Mathematics and Science Education Act"."
Section 2. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Mathematics and Science Education Act:
A. "bureau" means the mathematics and science bureau of the instructional support and vocational education division of the department;
B. "chief" means the chief of the bureau; and
C. "council" means the mathematics and science advisory council."
Section 3. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE INITIATIVE--
DESIGN.--The department shall design and implement a statewide mathematics and science initiative to improve mathematics and science proficiency in the state. The design of the mathematics and science initiative shall be based on quality, research-based mathematics and science programs shown to improve mathematics and science proficiency, and the initiative shall include:
A. alignment of school mathematics and science curricula and instruction with the New Mexico mathematics and science standards and benchmarks;
B. consistent assessment and evaluation of student mathematics and science proficiency;
C. requirements for appropriate, rigorous professional development to assist classroom teachers in the instruction of mathematics and science programs;
D. promotion of the use of subject-specific mathematics and science teachers at the elementary level to teach science and mathematics, particularly to low-performing students; and
E. addressing the achievement gap for students with disabilities and English language learners."
Section 4. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] BUREAU CREATED--DUTIES.--
A. 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.
B. The bureau shall:
(1) administer the provisions of the Mathematics and Science Education Act;
(2) provide staff support for and coordinate the activities of the council;
(3) work with the council to develop a statewide strategic plan for mathematics and science education in the public schools and coordinate education activities with other state agencies, the federal government, business consortia and public or private organizations or other persons;
(4) assist school districts to develop and implement a strategic, long-term plan for improving mathematics and science education in their school systems;
(5) recommend funding mechanisms that will support the improvement of mathematics and science education in the state;
(6) promote collaboration among public schools, higher education institutions, government and business and educational and community organizations to improve the mathematics and science education in the state; and
(7) assess the outcomes of efforts to improve mathematics and science education."
Section 5. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ADVISORY COUNCIL--CREATED--MEMBERS--TERMS--VACANCIES.--
A. The "mathematics and science advisory council" is created, composed of seventeen members. Members of the council shall be appointed by the secretary for staggered terms of four years; provided that for the initial appointments, five members shall be appointed for two years, five members shall be appointed for three years and seven members shall be appointed for four years. Members shall serve until their successors have been appointed and qualified. A vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the secretary for the unexpired term.
B. The secretary shall appoint members from throughout the state to ensure balance in geographic location and gender and ethnic diversity and as follows:
(1) one member who has expertise in state government;
(2) one member who is an elementary school teacher with expertise in mathematics and science education;
(3) one member who is a middle school teacher with expertise in mathematics or science education;
(4) one member who is a high school teacher with expertise in mathematics or science education;
(5) one member who is a mathematics or science faculty member from a New Mexico four-year higher educational institution;
(6) one member who is a mathematics or science education faculty member from a New Mexico four-year higher educational institution;
(7) one member who is a mathematics or science faculty member from a New Mexico two-year higher educational institution;
(8) one member who is a mathematician, scientist or engineer from one of the national laboratories;
(9) one member who represents the Indian nations, tribes and pueblos in New Mexico;
(10) one member who has expertise in school district administration;
(11) one member who has experience as a school principal;
(12) one member who has experience as an administrator at a four-year institution of higher education;
(13) one member who has experience as an administrator at a two-year institution of higher education;
(14) one member who represents the New Mexico partnership for mathematics and science education;
(15) one member who represents the New Mexico business community; and
(16) two members who represent the general public.
C. Members of the council shall elect a chair from among the membership. The council shall meet at the call of the chair not less than quarterly.
D. Members of the council are entitled to receive per diem and mileage pursuant to the provisions of the Per Diem and Mileage Act but shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance."
Section 6. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] COUNCIL DUTIES.--The council shall:
A. advise the department on the statewide strategic plan for improving mathematics and science education that shall be incorporated into the department's five-year strategic plan for public elementary and secondary education in the state;
B. advise the bureau, the department and the legislature regarding the implementation of the mathematics and science education strategic plan;
C. advise the bureau on implementation of the provisions of the Mathematics and Science Education Act;
D. work collaboratively with the bureau to develop and revise as necessary the statewide strategic plan for improving mathematics and science education;
E. make recommendations on applications for funding from the mathematics and science proficiency fund;
F. make annual budget and policy recommendations to the department; and
G. produce an annual report on public elementary and secondary mathematics and science achievement for the department, the governor and the legislature."
Section 7. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE PROFICIENCY FUND--CREATED--PURPOSE--ANNUAL REPORTS.--
A. The "mathematics and science proficiency fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund shall consist of appropriations, gifts, grants, donations and income from investment of the fund. Money in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund. Disbursements from the fund shall be made by warrant of the secretary of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers signed by the secretary or the secretary's authorized representative.
B. The fund shall be administered by the department and money in the fund is appropriated to the department to provide awards to public schools, school districts and public post-secondary educational institutions that implement innovative, research-based mathematics and science programs or professional development programs. The department shall promulgate rules for the application and award of money from the fund, including criteria used to evaluate innovative, research-based mathematics and science programs and professional development programs.
C. Each award recipient shall provide an annual report to the bureau that accounts for the money awarded, details and evaluates the outcomes of the proposal funded by the mathematics and science proficiency fund and provides other information requested by the bureau."
Section 8. APPROPRIATIONS.--
A. The following amounts are appropriated from the general fund to the following agencies for expenditure in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 for the following purposes:
(1) to the public education department:
(a) four hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($425,000) for staff and other expenses to establish the mathematics and science bureau of the instructional support and vocational education division of the department;
(b) forty thousand dollars ($40,000) for expenses related to the mathematics and science advisory council;
(c) one hundred twenty thousand dollars ($120,000) to work with national laboratories and other federal science-related facilities and science and technology businesses to facilitate creation of internships for high school students and to help place student interns;
(d) five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) to work with the institutions of higher education and the mathematics and science advisory council to increase the rigor of mathematics and science courses in teacher preparation programs; and
(e) three million dollars ($3,000,000) for mathematics and science summer institutes for public school teachers; and
(2) to the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department, two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) to support a statewide outdoor classroom program.
B. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2007 shall revert to the general fund.
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