SENATE BILL 418

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

INTRODUCED BY

Gay G. Kernan

AN ACT

RELATING TO TEACHER LICENSURE; AMENDING THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE TO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF LICENSURE CANDIDATES' CONTENT KNOWLEDGE IN CERTAIN AREAS; ALLOWING LICENSURE CANDIDATES' PASSING GRADES TO BE VALID FOR FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE THAT THE CANDIDATE TAKES THE TEST.

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 January 1, 2013], a rigorous assessment of the candidate's knowledge of the science of teaching reading and, beginning January 1, 2015, individual, subject-matter assessments in language arts, mathematics, science and social studies; provided that a candidate's passing grade on each individual, subject-matter assessment shall be valid for a period of five years from the time that the candidate takes the test; 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.]"

- 4 -