HOUSE BILL 182

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Linda M. Trujillo and Tomás E. Salazar and Derrick J. Lente

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION; EXPANDING THE READING INITIATIVE TO ENCOMPASS LITERACY AND BILITERACY, INCLUDING READING, WRITING AND SPELLING, THAT IS CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY RELEVANT TO EACH STUDENT.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 22-13-1.3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2000 (2nd S.S.), Chapter 14, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read:

     "22-13-1.3. [READING] LITERACY AND BILITERACY INITIATIVE--DESIGN.--

          A. The department shall design and implement a statewide [reading] literacy and biliteracy initiative to improve reading, writing and spelling proficiency in the state. The design of the [reading] literacy and biliteracy initiative shall be based upon quality, scientifically based [reading] literacy and biliteracy research that has been shown to improve reading, writing and spelling proficiency and shall include the following:

                (1) [consistent] informative assessment and evaluation of student [reading] literacy and biliteracy levels;

                (2) appropriate professional staff development to assist licensed school employees in the instruction of [reading] literacy and biliteracy;

                (3) extra time in the student's day or year for implementation of [reading] literacy and biliteracy programs;

                [(4) rewards provided to teachers and other applicable licensed school employees in public schools that improve student reading proficiency] and

                [(5)] (4) criteria for public schools to establish an individualized [reading] literacy and biliteracy plan for students who fail to meet grade level [reading] literacy and biliteracy proficiency standards.

          B. The department shall use national experts to work with the department to develop an immediate [reading] literacy and biliteracy initiative and a long-term plan for sustained [reading] literacy and biliteracy improvement.

          C. The department shall involve school district personnel, especially licensed elementary [reading] literacy and biliteracy specialists, parents and other interested persons in the design of the [reading] literacy and biliteracy initiative that is culturally and linguistically relevant for each student."

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