SENATE BILL 697

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Gay G. Kernan

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; PROVIDING CORE CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK SUPPORT THROUGH EASTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     Section 1. Section 22-13-1.5 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2005, Chapter 300, Section 1) is amended to read:

     "22-13-1.5. CORE CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK--PURPOSE--CURRICULUM.--

          A. School districts and charter schools may create core curriculum frameworks to provide high quality curricula in kindergarten through grade six to prepare students for pre-advanced placement and advanced placement coursework in grades seven through twelve.

          B. The framework shall include:

                (1) a curriculum that is aligned with state academic content and performance standards and that is challenging, specific as to content and sequential from grade to grade, similar to a core curriculum sequence;

                (2) in-depth professional development for teachers that includes vertical teaming in content areas; and

                (3) content, materials and instructional strategies or methodologies that current research demonstrates are likely to lead to improved student achievement in pre-advanced placement and advanced placement coursework in grades seven through twelve.

          C. The framework may be selected from previously developed curricula or may be developed by the school district or charter school.

          D. A school district or charter school that meets department eligibility requirements may apply to [the department] eastern New Mexico university for support of its core curriculum framework. Applications shall be in the form prescribed by the [department] university and shall include the following information:

                (1) a statement of need;

                (2) goals and expected outcomes of the framework;

                (3) a detailed description of the curriculum to be implemented;

                (4) a detailed work plan and budget for the framework;

                (5) documentation of the research upon which the anticipated success of the framework is based;

                (6) a description of any partnership proposed to implement the framework, supported by letters of commitment from the partner;

                (7) an evaluation plan; and

                (8) any other information that the [department] university requires.

          E. The [department] university shall award grants within ninety days of the deadline for receipt of grant applications based on a competitive process in response to a request for proposals.

          [F. The department shall adopt and promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this section.]"

     Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--Four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the board of regents of eastern New Mexico university for expenditure in fiscal year 2008 to process core curriculum framework applications from school districts and charter schools. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2008 shall revert to the general fund.

- 3 -