HOUSE BILL 150

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Rick Miera

AN ACT

RELATING TO EDUCATION; ENACTING THE HISPANIC EDUCATION ACT; CREATING THE HISPANIC EDUCATION OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT; PROVIDING POWERS AND DUTIES; CREATING AN ADVISORY COUNCIL.

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 "Hispanic Education Act"."

     Section 2. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] PURPOSE.--The purpose of the Hispanic Education Act is to:

          A. provide for the study, development and implementation of educational systems that affect the educational success of Hispanic students to close the achievement gap and increase graduation rates;

          B. encourage and foster parental involvement in the education of their children; and

          C. provide mechanisms for parents, community and business organizations, public schools, school districts, charter schools, public post-secondary educational institutions, the department and state and local policymakers to work together to improve educational opportunities for Hispanic students for the purpose of closing the achievement gap, increasing graduation rates and increasing post-secondary enrollment, retention and completion."

     Section 3. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] DEFINITION.--As used in the Hispanic Education Act, "office" means the Hispanic education office."

     Section 4. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] HISPANIC EDUCATION OFFICE--CREATED--DUTIES.--

          A. The "Hispanic education office" is created in the department. 

          B. The office shall:

                (1) focus on issues related to Hispanic education and advise the secretary on the development of policy regarding the education of Hispanic students;

                (2) advise the department and the commission on the development of the five-year strategic plan for public elementary and secondary education in the state as the plan relates to Hispanic student education;

                (3) assist and be assisted by other staff in the department to improve elementary, secondary and post-secondary educational outcomes for Hispanic students;

                (4) serve as a resource to enable school districts and charter schools to provide equitable and culturally relevant learning environments, educational opportunities and culturally relevant instructional materials for Hispanic students enrolled in public schools;

                (5) support and consult with the Hispanic education advisory council; and

                (6) support school districts and charter schools to recruit parents on site-based and school district committees."

     Section 5. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] HISPANIC EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL.--

          A. The "Hispanic education advisory council" is created as an advisory council to the secretary. The council shall advise the secretary on matters related to improving public school education for Hispanic students, increasing parent involvement and community engagement in the education of Hispanic students and increasing the number of Hispanic high school graduates who succeed in post-secondary academic, professional or vocational education.

          B. The secretary shall appoint members to the council who are knowledgeable about and interested in the education of Hispanic students, including representatives of public schools; post-secondary education and teacher preparation programs; parents; Hispanic cultural, community and business organizations; other community and business organizations; and other interested persons. The secretary shall give due regard to geographic representation. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary.

          C. The council shall elect a chairperson and such other officers as it deems necessary.

          D. The council shall meet as necessary, but at least twice each year.

          E. The council shall advise the secretary on matters related to Hispanic education in New Mexico."

     Section 6. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] STATEWIDE STATUS REPORT.--

          A. The office, in collaboration with the higher education department, shall submit an annual preschool through post-secondary statewide Hispanic education status report no later than November 15 to the governor and the legislature through the legislative education study committee. A copy shall be provided to the legislative library in the legislative council service.

          B. The status report shall include the following information, by school district, by charter school and statewide, which may be compiled from data otherwise required to be submitted to the department:

                (1) Hispanic student achievement at all grades;

                (2) attendance for all grades;

                (3) the graduation rates for Hispanic students;

                (4) the number of Hispanic students in schools that make adequate yearly progress and in schools at each level of school improvement or restructuring; and

                (5) the number and type of bilingual and multicultural programs in each school district and charter school.

          C. The status report shall include the following information, by post-secondary educational institution, which may be compiled from data otherwise required to be submitted to the higher education department:

                (1) Hispanic student enrollment;

                (2) Hispanic student retention; and

                (3) Hispanic student completion rates."

     Section 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2010.

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