SENATE BILL 360

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

INTRODUCED BY

Cynthia Nava

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE

AN ACT

RELATING TO FINANCIAL SOLVENCY; SUSPENDING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN STUDENT ASSESSMENTS FOR THE 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR.

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

     SECTION 1. TEMPORARY PROVISION--PUBLIC SCHOOLS FINANCIAL SOLVENCY--SUSPENDING CERTAIN REQUIRED STUDENT ASSESSMENTS FOR ONE SCHOOL YEAR.--

          A. The legislature finds that the financial crisis of calendar years 2008-2010 will continue into fiscal year 2012, and, to balance the state budget, the legislature must reduce general appropriations for state government, higher education and public schools by several hundred million dollars. The purpose of this section is to temporarily suspend the requirement that local school districts administer certain student assessments.

          B. For school year 2011-2012, the public education department and school districts, charter schools and state educational institutions shall not be required to administer the following student assessments:

                (1) the provisions of Section 22-13-1.1 NMSA 1978 notwithstanding, a standards-based assessment or assessments or a portfolio of standards-based indicators for high school graduation;

                (2) the provisions of Section 22-2C-4 NMSA 1978 notwithstanding, in grade eleven, a standards-based assessment in social studies; and for grades three through eight and eleven, a standards-based writing assessment; and

                (3) the provisions of Section 22-2C-4.1 NMSA 1978 notwithstanding, in grades nine and ten, short-cycle diagnostic assessments in reading, language arts and mathematics and, in grade eleven, a college placement assessment, a workforce readiness assessment or an alternative demonstration of competency using standards-based indicators.

          C. The provisions of Section 22-13-1.1 NMSA 1978 notwithstanding, a student who has completed the course requirements for high school graduation in the 2011-2012 school year may graduate without demonstrating competence in required subject areas on the standards-based assessment or assessments or a portfolio of standards-based indicators established by the public education department by rule.