RELATING TO EDUCATION; CREATING A TASK FORCE TO REVIEW MERIT PAY FOR TEACHERS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

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

Section 1. TEACHER MERIT PAY TASK FORCE CREATED.--The "teacher merit pay task force" is created.

Section 2. MEMBERSHIP--APPOINTMENT--VACANCIES-- COMPENSATION.--

A. The teacher merit pay task force shall be composed of fifteen members reflecting all geographical regions within the state.

B. Members of the task force shall be appointed as follows:

(1) three members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be chosen from the educational fields of teachers or administrators, which include anyone receiving a salary or benefits;

(2) two members appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives, one of which shall be chosen from the educational fields of teachers or administrators, which include anyone receiving a salary or benefits;

(3) three members appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate, one of whom shall be chosen from the educational fields of teachers or administrators, which include anyone receiving a salary or benefits;

(4) two members appointed by the minority leader of the senate, one of whom shall be chosen from the educational fields of teachers or administrators, which include anyone receiving a salary or benefits;

(5) one ex officio member of the governor's staff appointed by the governor;

(6) three public members, including one student, one business representative and one parent, appointed by the governor; and

(7) one member appointed by the state board of education.

C. Vacancies on the task force shall be filled by appointment in the same manner as the original appointments.

D. The speaker of the house of representatives and the president pro tempore of the senate shall each designate one co-chairman of the task force.

E. No more than four members of the task force shall be composed of teachers or administrators.

Section 3. DUTIES.--

A. After its appointment, the teacher merit task force shall hold one organizational meeting to develop a work plan.

B. The task force shall hold monthly meetings.

C. The task force shall examine the statutes, constitutional provisions, rules and court decisions governing merit pay for teachers in New Mexico and shall recommend legislation or changes, if any are found, to the legislature.

D. The task force shall examine what other states have done to recognize the importance of rewarding educators who strive to improve the quality of education and student performance.

E. The task force shall examine what other states have done to provide incentives for educators who improve student performance in the classroom and who decrease the dropout rate in their classrooms.

F. The task force shall examine what other states have done to reward educators who demonstrate the achievement of excellence with their students.

G. The task force shall examine what other states have done to compensate educators who assume additional educational responsibilities.

H. The task force shall examine how to increase New Mexico's educational proficiency as compared to other states and what role teachers can contribute to student proficiency.

I. The task force shall determine standards for teacher merit pay in the classroom and schools in New Mexico.

Section 4. REPORT.--The teacher merit task force shall make a report of its findings and recommendations for the consideration of the legislative education study committee before the next legislative session.

Section 5. STAFF.--The staff for the teacher merit task force shall be provided by the legislative education study committee and the legislative council service.

Section 6. DELAYED REPEAL.--Sections 1 through 4 of this act are repealed effective January 30, 2000.