HB0124

HOUSE BILL 124

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Sheryl Williams Stapleton

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION; REQUIRING EVIDENCE OF TEACHER COMPETENCY FOR ADVANCEMENT IN THE THREE-TIER LICENSURE SYSTEM.

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

SECTION 1. Section 22-10A-10 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 153, Section 41, as amended by Laws 2005, Chapter 315, Section 7 and by Laws 2005, Chapter 316, Section 4) is amended to read:

"22-10A-10. LEVEL TWO LICENSURE.--

A. A level two license is a nine-year license granted to a teacher who meets the qualifications for that level and who annually demonstrates essential competency to teach. If a level two teacher does not demonstrate essential competency in a given school year, the school district shall provide the teacher with additional professional development and peer intervention during the following school year. If by the end of that school year the teacher fails to demonstrate essential competency, a school district may choose not to contract with the teacher to teach in the classroom.

B. The department shall issue a level two license to an applicant who successfully completes the level one license or is granted reciprocity as provided by department rules; demonstrates essential competency required by the department as verified by the local superintendent through the highly objective uniform statewide standard of evaluation; and [meets other qualifications as required by the department]: (1) provides a professional development dossier that includes:

(a) evidence of competence, collected over multiple years;

(b) evidence that the teacher has met the competency requirements for advancement to the next higher level of licensure;

(d) the local superintendent's recommendation for the teacher's advancement to the next licensure level; and

(e) verification: 1) of the teacher's participation in the school district's formal mentorship program; 2) of three years or more of successful level one teaching; and 3) that the professional development dossier contains the work product of the teacher, as affirmed by the local superintendent;

(2) submits an electronic recording of moving images and sound depicting the following competencies according to level two licensure indicators as defined in department rule:

(a) an instruction competency strand demonstrating that the teacher: 1) accurately demonstrates knowledge of the content area and approved curriculum; 2) appropriately uses a variety of teaching methods and resources for each subject the teacher instructs; and 3) effectively employs student assessment techniques and procedures;

(b) a student learning competency strand demonstrating that the teacher: 1) communicates with and obtains feedback from students in a manner that enhances student learning and understanding; 2) comprehends the principles of student growth, development and learning and applies them appropriately; 3) manages the educational setting in a manner that promotes positive student behavior and a safe and healthy environment; and 4) recognizes student diversity and creates an atmosphere conducive to the promotion of positive student involvement and self-concept; and

(c) a professional learning competency strand demonstrating that the teacher: 1) demonstrates a willingness to examine and implement change, as appropriate; and 2) works productively with colleagues, parents and community members; or

(3) receives:

(a) one of the two highest teacher evaluation ratings after teaching for three years with a level one license; or

(b) a satisfactory teacher evaluation rating after teaching for five years with a level one license.

C. The department shall provide for qualifications for specific grade levels, types and subject areas of level two licensure, including early childhood, elementary, middle, secondary, special [education] and vocational education.

D. With the adoption by the department of the statewide objective performance evaluation for level two teachers, the minimum salary for a level two teacher for a standard nine and one-half month contract shall be [as follows:

(1) for the 2003-2004 school year, thirty thousand dollars ($30,000);

(2) for the 2004-2005 school year, thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000); and

(3) for the 2005-2006 school year] forty thousand dollars ($40,000)."

SECTION 2. Section 22-10A-11 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 153, Section 42, as amended by Laws 2015, Chapter 74, Section 1 and by Laws 2015, Chapter 103, Section 1) is amended to read:

"22-10A-11. LEVEL THREE LICENSURE--TRACKS FOR TEACHERS.--

A. A level three-A license is a nine-year license granted to a teacher who meets the qualifications for that level and who annually demonstrates instructional leader competencies. If a level three-A teacher does not demonstrate essential competency in a given school year, the school district shall provide the teacher with additional professional development and peer intervention during the following school year. If by the end of that school year the teacher fails to demonstrate essential competency, a school district may choose not to contract with the teacher to teach in the classroom.

B. The department shall grant a level three-A license to an applicant who has been a level two teacher for at least three years and holds a post-baccalaureate degree or national board for professional teaching standards certification or demonstrates instructional leader competence as required by the department and verified by the local superintendent through the highly objective uniform statewide standard of evaluation and [meets other qualifications for the license] either:

(1) provides a professional development dossier that includes:

(a) evidence of competence, collected over multiple years;

(b) evidence that the teacher has met the competency requirements for advancement to the next higher level of licensure;

(d) the local superintendent's recommendation for the teacher's advancement to the next licensure level; and

(e) verification: 1) of a post-baccalaureate degree; 2) of three years or more of successful level two teaching experience; and 3) that the professional development dossier contains the work product of the teacher, as affirmed by the local superintendent;

(2) submits an electronic recording of moving images and sound depicting the following competencies according to level three licensure indicators as defined in department rule:

(3) receives the highest teacher evaluation rating for at least two of the prior three years.

C. With the adoption by the department of a highly objective uniform statewide standard of evaluation for level three-A teachers, the minimum salary for a level three-A teacher for a standard nine and one-half month contract shall be fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).

D. The minimum salary for a counselor who holds a level three or three-A license as provided in the School Personnel Act and rules promulgated by the department shall be the same as provided for level three-A teachers pursuant to Subsection C of this section."

SECTION 3. A new section of the School Personnel Act is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] DEFINITION--COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR ADVANCEMENT.--As used in the School Personnel Act, "competency requirements for advancement" includes:

A. an instruction strand that includes evidence developed through certification by the national board for professional teaching standards or:

(1) evidence of student learning;

(2) assessment techniques and procedures;

(3) instructional plans and materials;

(4) examples of student work and performance; and

(5) evidence of implementation of the state standards for each grade level and subject area pursuant to Section 22-13-1.6 NMSA 1978;

B. a student learning strand that:

(1) includes evidence developed through certification by the national board for professional teaching standards or:

(a) evidence of adaptations or modifications for diverse learners;

(b) evidence of effective classroom management strategies and procedures;

(d) evidence of communication with students and parents; and

(2) may include:

(a) student surveys; or

(b) videos with reflections and analysis; and

C. a professional learning strand that includes evidence developed through certification by the national board for professional teaching standards or evidence of at least one of the following:

(1) professional development activities associated with the teacher's annual professional development plan;

(2) collaboration with the professional community;

(3) parent surveys;

(4) research publications; or

(5) professional presentations."

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