HOUSE BILL 461

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

INTRODUCED BY

Patricia Roybal Caballero

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION; AMENDING THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE TO SPECIFY AND CLARIFY THE DUTIES OF THE PUBLIC EDUCATION COMMISSION IN TERMS OF THE REQUIREMENT TO DEVELOP AN EDUCATION STRATEGIC PLAN; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 22-2-2.2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2004, Chapter 27, Section 17) is amended to read:

     "22-2-2.2. COMMISSION--DUTIES.--

          A. The commission shall work with the department to develop the five-year strategic plan for public elementary and secondary education in the state. [The strategic plan shall be updated at least biennially. The commission shall solicit the input of persons who have an interest in public school policy, including local school boards, school districts and school employees; home schooling associations; parent-teacher associations; educational organizations; the commission on higher education; colleges, universities and vocational schools; state agencies responsible for educating resident children; juvenile justice agencies; work force development providers; and business organizations.] In carrying out its duties, the commission shall:

                (1) convene advisory panels and engage key stakeholders with interest and experience in early childhood, public and higher education, including:

                     (a) local school boards, school districts and school employees;

                     (b) home schooling associations and interest groups;

                     (c) parent-teacher organizations;

                     (d) educational organizations;

                     (e) the higher education department and universities, community colleges and vocational schools;

                     (f) state agencies responsible for educating resident students;

                     (g) juvenile justice agencies;

                     (h) various local, state and national subject matter experts and advocates;

                     (i) workforce development providers; and

                     (j) business and civic leaders;

                (2) evaluate the current and potential education system funding mechanisms;

                (3) evaluate the effect of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act on public education in New Mexico;

                (4) evaluate the needs of English language learners and special education and at-risk students;

                (5) evaluate the implementation of innovations and incentives to improve academic outcomes for Hispanic, Native American and African-American students;

                (6) evaluate the effectiveness of the current level of investment in education in the state and the process for its financing; and

                (7) propose a long-range financing plan that is both sufficient to support the recommendations of the commission and ensures sustained funding into the future.

          B. The commission shall update the strategic plan biennially and present to the governor and the legislature its recommendations prior to each legislative session in odd-numbered years.

          [B.] C. In addition to the [duty] duties provided in [Subsection] Subsections A and B of this section, the commission shall:

                (1) solicit input from local school boards, school districts and the public on policy and governance issues and report its findings and recommendations to the secretary and the legislature; and

                (2) recommend to the secretary conduct and process guidelines and training curricula for local school boards."

     SECTION 2. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

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