HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL 424

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION; PROVIDING FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO FORM EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOLS; EXEMPTING EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOLS FROM CERTAIN OPERATIONAL FUNDING FORMULA UNITS AND CAPITAL OUTLAY FUNDS.

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] EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOLS.--

          A. Early college high schools may be established by school districts pursuant to this section. Each early college high school shall have:

                (1) a commitment to provide each student the opportunity to graduate from the early college high school with a diploma of excellence and an associate of arts degree;

                (2) a commitment to prepare students to enter the work force upon graduation from the early college high school;

                (3) documentation of the areas of employment for which there is a local or state work force need; 

                (4) a proposed curriculum that includes:

                     (a) articulated areas of study aligned with the areas of employment for which there is a local or state work force need and for which students will be prepared;

                     (b) courses in the areas of study described in Subparagraph (a) of this paragraph;

                     (c) work force preparation courses; and

                     (d) work-study or workplace mentorship opportunities;

                (5) a memorandum of understanding or other agreement with one or more institutions of higher education that may offer students of the early college high school:

                     (a) dual credit courses aligned with the areas of study described in Subparagraph (a) of Paragraph (4) of this subsection; or

                     (b) associate of arts degrees upon completion of courses and requirements pursuant to the standards for students enrolled in the institutions of higher education;

                (6) documentation from one or more for-profit or nonprofit entities agreeing to:

                     (a) provide work-study or workplace mentoring opportunities to students; 

                     (b) donate materials or provide classroom instruction; or

                     (c) donate money, real property or personal property; enter into financing or other agreements with the school district; or provide other financial support to or on behalf of the early college high school;

                (7) an identified existing facility or identified funding sources for constructing or acquiring a proposed facility for the early college high school; and

                (8) a plan for:

                     (a) receiving support pursuant to Paragraph (6) of this subsection for three or more years; and

                     (b) taking any additional measures to operate and sustain the early college high school for three or more years.

          B. Early college high schools established pursuant to this section, including those established as state-chartered or locally chartered charter schools, shall not be eligible for small school size adjustment units pursuant to Section 22-8-23 NMSA 1978 nor for public school capital outlay funding pursuant to Section 22-24-5 NMSA 1978."

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