RELATING TO EDUCATION; REQUIRING TEACHING OF BASIC LITERACY SKILLS IN GRADES ONE THROUGH THREE; REQUIRING CERTAIN TEACHER CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
Section 1. Section 22-2-8.3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1986, Chapter 33, Section 4, as amended) is amended to read:
"22-2-8.3. SUBJECT AREAS--MINIMUM INSTRUCTIONAL AREAS REQUIRED--ACCREDITATION.--
A. The state board shall require instruction in specific subject areas as provided in Subsections B through G of this section. Any public school or school district failing to meet these minimum requirements shall not be accredited by the state board.
B. All first, second and third grade classes shall provide daily instruction in language arts skills, including direct, systematic and intensive phonics, whole language and other research-based approaches to reading and mathematics.
C. All fourth, fifth and sixth grade classes shall provide instruction in language arts skills, with an emphasis on writing and editing; mathematics; science; and social studies, including geography. The following subject areas shall be offered in the remaining instructional time: art; music; physical education; health; and computer literacy, including a general familiarization with computers and support in the areas of mathematics and writing through word processing.
D. All seventh grade classes shall provide instruction in English, with an emphasis on grammar and writing; communication skills or science; New Mexico history and geography; mathematics; and physical fitness. Remaining instructional time may be used for electives listed in Subsection F of this section.
E. All eighth grade classes shall provide instruction in English, mathematics, United States history and science. Remaining instructional time may be used for electives listed in Subsection F of this section.
F. The electives authorized in Subsections D and E of this section are art, industrial arts, chorus, band, home economics, typing, creative writing, speech, drama, Spanish, computer literacy, American sign language and other electives approved by the state board."
Section 2. Section 22-2-8.7 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1986, Chapter 33, Section 8, as amended) is amended to read:
"22-2-8.7. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.--
A. The state board shall require any person seeking certification in elementary and secondary education to complete the following minimum requirements in the college of arts and sciences:
(1) twelve hours in English;
(2) twelve hours in history, including American history and western civilization;
(3) six hours in mathematics;
(4) six hours in government, economics or sociology;
(5) twelve hours in science, including biology, chemistry, physics, geology, zoology and botany;
(6) six hours in fine arts; and
(7) six hours in direct, systematic and intensive phonics, whole language and other research-based approaches to reading.
B. The state board shall require, prior to certification, no less than fourteen weeks of student teaching, a portion of which shall occur in the first thirty credit hours taken in the college of education and shall be under the direct supervision of a certified school instructor and a portion of which shall occur in the student's senior year with the student teacher being directly responsible for the classroom.
C. Nothing in this section shall preclude the state board from establishing or accepting equivalent requirements for purposes of reciprocal certification or minimum requirements for alternative certification.
D. Vocational teacher preparatory programs may be exempt from Subsections A and B of this section upon a determination by the state board that other certification requirements are more appropriate for vocational teacher preparatory programs.
E. The state board shall develop guidelines to train quality teachers and principals to improve student achievement, particularly in reading and phonics."
HB 864
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