HOUSE BILL 159
49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010
INTRODUCED BY
Benjamin H. Rodefer
AN ACT
RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; REQUIRING FINE ARTS TO BE TAUGHT AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH SIXTH GRADE; EXPANDING THE APPLICABILITY OF FINE ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAM UNITS; EXPANDING AND MAKING MANDATORY THE PROVISIONS OF THE FINE ARTS EDUCATION ACT.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
Section 1. Section 22-8-23.5 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 144, Section 3 and Laws 2003, Chapter 152, Section 8) is amended to read:
"22-8-23.5. FINE ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAM UNITS.--The number of fine arts education program units is determined by multiplying the full-time-equivalent MEM in programs [implemented in accordance with the provisions of the Fine Arts Education Act] in kindergarten through sixth grade fine arts as provided in Section 22-13-1 NMSA 1978 and the Fine Arts Education Act by the cost differential factor of [0.0166 for fiscal year 2004, 0.0332 for fiscal year 2005 and] 0.05 [for fiscal year 2006 and succeeding fiscal years]."
Section 2. Section 22-13-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 153, Section 57, as amended) is amended to read:
"22-13-1. SUBJECT AREAS--MINIMUM INSTRUCTIONAL AREAS REQUIRED--ACCREDITATION.--
A. The department shall require public schools to address department-approved academic content and performance standards when instructing in specific department-required subject areas as provided in this section. A public school or school district failing to meet these minimum requirements shall not be accredited by the department.
B. All kindergarten through third grade classes shall provide daily instruction in reading and language arts skills, including phonemic awareness, phonics and comprehension, and in mathematics. Students in kindergarten and first grades shall be screened and monitored for progress in reading and language arts skills and students in second grade shall take diagnostic tests on reading and language arts skills.
C. All first, second and third grade classes shall provide instruction in [art, music and] a language other than English, and instruction that meets content and performance standards shall be provided in science, social studies, physical education and health education.
D. All kindergarten through sixth grade classes shall provide instruction in fine arts, including visual arts, music, theater and dance, that meets the requirements of the Fine Arts Education Act at least once per week.
[D.] E. In fourth through eighth grades, instruction that meets academic content and performance standards shall be provided in the following subject areas:
(1) reading and language arts skills, with an emphasis on writing and editing for at least one year and an emphasis on grammar and writing for at least one year;
(2) mathematics;
(3) language other than English;
(4) communication skills;
(5) science;
(6) art;
(7) music;
(8) social studies;
(9) New Mexico history;
(10) United States history;
(11) geography;
(12) physical education; and
(13) health education.
[E.] F. Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, in eighth grade, algebra 1 shall be offered in regular classroom settings or through on-line courses or agreements with high schools.
[F.] G. In fourth through eighth grades, school districts shall offer electives that contribute to academic growth and skill development and provide career and technical education. In sixth through eighth grades, media literacy may be offered as an elective.
[G.] H. In ninth through twelfth grades, instruction that meets academic content and performance standards shall be provided in health education."
Section 3. Section 22-15D-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 152, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:
"22-15D-2. PURPOSE.--
A. The purpose of the Fine Arts Education Act is to [encourage] require school districts and state-chartered charter schools to offer opportunities for [elementary school] kindergarten through sixth grade students to participate in fine arts activities, including visual arts, music, theater and dance.
B. Participation in fine arts programs encourages cognitive and affective development by:
(1) focusing on a variety of learning styles and engaging students who might otherwise fail;
(2) training students in complex thinking and learning;
(3) helping students to devise creative solutions for problems;
(4) providing students new challenges; and
(5) teaching students how to work cooperatively with others and to understand and value diverse cultures."
Section 4. Section 22-15D-5 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 152, Section 5, as amended) is amended to read:
"22-15D-5. PROGRAM PLAN AND EVALUATION.--
A. [A] School [district or state-chartered] districts and charter [school may] schools shall prepare and submit to the department a fine arts education program plan in accordance with guidelines issued by the department.
B. At a minimum, the plan shall include the fine arts education programs being taught, the ways in which the fine arts are being integrated into the curriculum and an evaluation component.
C. At yearly intervals, the school district or [state-chartered] charter school, the department and a parent advisory committee from the school district or charter school shall review the goals and priorities of the plan and make appropriate recommendations to the secretary."
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