HOUSE BILL 258

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014

INTRODUCED BY

Mimi Stewart

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION; PROVIDING FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS TEACHERS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 22-15E-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2007, Chapter 44, Section 1 and Laws 2007, Chapter 239, Section 1) is amended to read:

     "22-15E-1. SHORT TITLE.--[This act] Chapter 22, Article 15E NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "Mathematics and Science Education Act"."

     SECTION 2. A new section of the Mathematics and Science Education Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS--ELIGIBLE ENTITIES--ALLOCATION PROCESS--REPORT.--

          A. As used in this section, "eligible entities" are public schools, school districts, charter schools, post-secondary educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, tribal organizations or coalitions of such entities.

          B. The department shall provide a process whereby eligible entities may apply for and receive grants from the mathematics and science proficiency fund to provide professional development for mathematics and science teachers. The process shall include considering the recommendations of the council for a professional development framework and grant selection criteria and evaluation and reporting requirements. Reporting requirements shall include a mechanism to gauge effectiveness of the grants measured over time.

          C. In developing its recommendations for a framework and selection criteria and evaluation and reporting requirements, the council shall consult with the New Mexico partnership for math and science.

          D. The council shall accept grant applications from eligible entities, review them and make recommendations to the department. The department shall make final selection decisions on award recipients.

          E. The department shall report to the legislative education study committee by December 2015 on the progress of the professional development framework and grant process and shall report each year on grant applications and award recipients as provided in Section 22-15E-6 NMSA 1978.

     SECTION 3. APPROPRIATION.--Five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the mathematics and science proficiency fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2015 and subsequent fiscal years to make grants for professional development for mathematics and science teachers. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.

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