HOUSE BILL 197
51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014
INTRODUCED BY
William "Bill" R. Rehm
AN ACT
RELATING TO EDUCATION; CREATING A PILOT PROJECT TO ASSIGN SOCIAL WORKERS TO "F" OR "D" RATED ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TO WORK WITH TEACHERS, AT-RISK STUDENTS AND FAMILIES TO OVERCOME STUDENTS' CHALLENGES TO LEARNING; REQUIRING REPORTS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.
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] WHOLE STUDENT FOCUS PILOT PROJECT--ELIGIBILITY--APPLICATION--REPORTING AND EVALUATION--FUND CREATED.--
A. The "whole student focus pilot project" is created as an eight-year study beginning by the second semester of the 2014-2015 school year to provide school social workers in "F" or "D" rated elementary schools who will serve as the critical link between teachers and students at risk of failure and their families. The purpose of the pilot project is to demonstrate that data-driven, evidence-based interventions with students and their families in grades one through four will improve each student's academic achievement and the social, emotional and behavioral competence of students and their families.
B. The pilot project shall include at least ten elementary schools from across the state with as fair as practicable representation of small, medium and large urban and rural schools. Priority for at least one-half of the pilot project slots shall be given to "F" rated schools.
C. The department shall design the whole student focus pilot project in such a way that participating school social workers work a varied schedule that aligns with the needs of teachers and the at-risk students and their families and shall endeavor to schedule home visits at times convenient to the student's parent or caregiver. The designed pilot project may provide that school social workers be assigned to work with a particular at-risk student cohort and follow them through grades one through four.
D. A participating school social worker shall meet regularly with an at-risk student's teacher to identify the academic or other challenges faced by the student and then work with the teacher, the student and the student's family to assist them to meet those challenges. The social worker shall coordinate social services or other services needed by the student or family. The children, youth and families department, the human services department, the department of health and other state agencies shall assist the department as requested in the pilot project's design and implementation, including data collection and assessment.
E. The whole student focus pilot project shall be administered by the department, and the department shall determine application requirements and procedures and the criteria for evaluating applications in accordance with this section.
F. A school district with an identified elementary school that has received an "F" or "D" school rating for two years or more may apply for the elementary school to participate in the whole student focus pilot project. The school district shall agree to pay one-half the salary and benefits of participating social workers and to provide office space, computers and other furniture, equipment and supplies for them. The school district must demonstrate that its pilot project will meet all department standards and employ only qualified school social workers. The department shall provide additional professional development for participating school social workers on how young students learn.
G. At-risk students participating in the whole student focus pilot project shall be evaluated at the beginning of the pilot project. The student's progress in academic achievement shall be measured through standardized assessments, and the student's social, emotional and behavioral competence shall be measured by other assessments adopted by the department. The families of participating students shall be evaluated at the beginning of the pilot project, and the family's progress in social, emotional and behavioral competence, if applicable, shall be evaluated periodically and at the end of the pilot project. Data shall also be collected on social and other services provided to the student or family.
H. The department shall establish reporting and evaluation requirements for participating elementary schools, including student, family and pilot project assessments. The department shall provide interim and final reports annually to the legislature and the governor on the efficacy of the whole student focus pilot project.
I. In addition to legislative appropriations for the whole student focus pilot project, the department shall actively seek public and private grants and donations. Grants and donations shall be deposited in the "whole student focus fund", created in the state treasury. Income from investment of the fund shall be deposited in the fund. The department shall administer the fund, and money in the fund is appropriated to the department to carry out the whole student focus pilot project. If applicable, money attributable to a grant or donation shall be expended in accordance with the terms of the grant or donation. Unless otherwise specified by the terms of a grant or donation, money in the fund at the end of the pilot project shall revert to the general fund. Money in the fund shall not revert until the pilot project has been completed. Expenditures from the fund shall be by warrants of the secretary of finance and administration drawn pursuant to vouchers signed by the secretary of public education or the secretary's authorized representative."
SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the whole student focus fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2015 and subsequent fiscal years for the public education department to conduct the whole student focus pilot project. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund except as provided in Section 1 of this act.
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