HOUSE BILL 38

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Rick Miera

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE

AN ACT

RELATING TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL; REQUIRING ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REPORTS TO THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE AND THE LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

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

     Section 1. Section 22-10A-19.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2004, Chapter 27, Section 25) is amended to read:

     "22-10A-19.1. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT--SYSTEMIC FRAMEWORK--REQUIREMENTS--DEPARTMENT DUTIES.--

          A. The department shall develop a systemic framework for professional development that provides training to ensure quality teachers, school principals and instructional support providers and that improves and enhances student achievement. The department shall work with licensed school employees, the [commission on] higher education department and institutions of higher education to establish the framework.

           B. The framework shall include:

                (1) the criteria for school districts to apply for professional development funds, including an evaluation component [that will] to be used by the department in approving school district professional development plans; and                       (2) guidelines for developing extensive professional development activities for school districts that:                      (a) improve teachers' knowledge of the subjects they teach and [the] their ability to teach those subjects to all of their students;

                     (b) are an integral part of the public school and school district educational plans for [improving] student [achievement] success;

                     (c) provide teachers, school administrators and instructional support providers with the strategies, support, knowledge and skills to help all students meet New Mexico academic standards;

                     (d) are high quality, sustained, intensive and focused on the classroom; and

                     (e) are developed and evaluated regularly with extensive participation of school employees and parents.

          C. The department, in conjunction with school districts and charter schools, shall compile and report statewide professional development activities related to the prior school year to the legislative education study committee and the legislative finance committee no later than December 15 of each year. The report shall include all professional development activities that were provided to teachers, school administrators, instructional support providers and department staff from all state and federal funding sources. The report shall include:

                (1) a summary of the professional development activities provided and by whom they were provided;

                (2) evaluations showing the degree to which the professional development activities satisfied the guidelines established by the department pursuant to the requirements of this section; and

                (3) a summary of funds expended for professional development from each funding source by public school districts, charter schools and the department.

          D. The department shall make any changes to the system of accounting and budgeting for all public schools and school districts necessary to fulfill this requirement."

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