HOUSE BILL 74

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

INTRODUCED BY

Mimi Stewart

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE

AN ACT

RELATING TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL; REQUIRING KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCIENCE OF TEACHING READING TO BE PART OF THE TEACHER ASSESSMENTS EXAMINATION FOR ELEMENTARY LICENSURE.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 22-10A-7 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 153, Section 38, as amended) is amended to read:

     "22-10A-7. LEVEL ONE LICENSURE.--

          A. A level one license is a provisional five-year license for beginning teachers that requires as a condition of licensure that the licensee undergo a formal mentorship program for at least one full school year and an annual intensive performance evaluation by a school administrator for at least three full school years before applying for a level two license.

          B. Each school district, in accordance with department rules, shall provide for the mentorship and evaluation of level one teachers. At the end of each year and at the end of the license period, the level one teacher shall be evaluated for competency. If the teacher fails to demonstrate satisfactory progress and competence annually, the teacher may be terminated as provided in Section 22-10A-24 NMSA 1978. If the teacher has not demonstrated satisfactory progress and competence by the end of the five-year period, the teacher shall not be granted a level two license.

          C. Except in exigent circumstances defined by department rule, a level one license shall not be extended beyond the initial period.

           D. The department shall issue a standard level one license to an applicant who is at least eighteen years of age who:

                (1) holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited educational institution;

                (2) has successfully completed a department-approved teacher preparation program from a nationally accredited or state-approved educational institution;

                (3) has passed the New Mexico teacher assessments examination, including for elementary licensure beginning July 1, 2012, a rigorous assessment of the candidate's knowledge of the science of teaching reading; and

                (4) meets other qualifications for level one licensure, including clearance of the required background check.

          E. The department shall issue an alternative level one license to an applicant who meets the requirements of Section 22-10A-8 NMSA 1978.

          F. The department shall establish competencies and qualifications for specific grade levels, types and subject areas of level one licensure, including early childhood, elementary, middle school, secondary, special education and vocational education.

          G. Beginning with the 2003-2004 school year, with the adoption by the department of a highly objective uniform statewide standard of evaluation for level one teachers, the minimum salary for a level one teacher shall be thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for a standard nine and one-half month contract.

          H. Teachers who hold level one licenses on the effective date of the 2003 act must be evaluated by the end of the 2006-2007 school year."

     SECTION 2. Section 22-10A-8 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 153, Section 39, as amended) is amended to read:

     "22-10A-8. ALTERNATIVE LEVEL ONE LICENSE.--

          A. The department shall issue an alternative level one license to a person who is at least eighteen years of age and who has:

                (1) completed a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution of higher education, including completion of a minimum of thirty credit hours at either the undergraduate or graduate level in the subject area of instruction for which the person is applying for a license;

                (2) completed a master's degree at an accredited institution of higher education, including completion of a minimum of twelve graduate credit hours in the subject area of instruction for which the person is applying for a license; or

                (3) completed a doctoral or law degree at an accredited institution of higher education; and

                (4) passed the New Mexico teacher assessments examination, including for elementary licensure beginning July 1, 2012, a rigorous assessment of the candidate's knowledge of the science of teaching reading; and

                (5) completed a minimum of twelve semester hours of instruction in teaching principles in a program approved by the department; or

                (6) demonstrated to the department, in conjunction with the school district or state agency, that the person has met the department-approved competencies for level one teachers that correspond to the grade level that will be taught.

          B. A degree referred to in Subsection A of this section shall correspond to the subject area of instruction and the particular grade level that will enable the applicant to teach in a competent manner as determined by the department.

          C. An alternative level one teacher shall participate in the same mentorship, evaluation and other professional development requirements as other level one teachers.

          D. A school district or state agency shall not discriminate against a teacher on the basis that the teacher holds an alternative level one license.

          E. The department shall provide by rule for training and other requirements to support the use of unlicensed content area experts as resources in classrooms, team teaching, on-line instruction, curriculum development and other purposes."

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