44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

RELATING TO EDUCATION; ESTABLISHING AN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL IN SANDOVAL COUNTY; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

Section 1. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL.--

A. The department of education shall establish the "alternative education pilot program" in Sandoval county to provide alternative educational programs to students in grades eight through twelve to run from July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2003.

B. The alternative education pilot program shall provide the following:

(1) eighth-grade transition programs that include:

(a) after-school programs for eighth-grade students failing two or more core classes;

(b) eighth-grade summer programs for eighth-grade students who failed two or more core classes; and

(c) transition programs for eighth-grade students who do not successfully complete either program described in Subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this paragraph;

(2) high school alternative day programs that provide:

(a) six to eight classrooms for high school students that would not succeed on a conventional high school campus;

(b) a variety of educational approaches and strategies;

(c) opportunities for educational technology; and

(d) school-to-work connections;

(3) high school accelerated programs for school dropouts that provide:

(a) educational-technology-based learning programs on site or from remote locations;

(b) opportunities for acceleration and advanced learning; and

(c) links with community colleges and work force development programs; and

(4) evening school programs for students who have failed a day school course, seek to accelerate their high school program or choose to take a course for enrichment or for college credit that provides:

(a) conventional courses from the Rio Rancho high school program of studies;

(b) enrichment courses, including courses in the area of technology and the arts;

(c) educational-technology-based learning programs on site or from remote location;

(d) opportunities for acceleration and advanced learning; and

(e) links with community colleges and work force development programs.

C. The department of education shall request funding for the alternative education pilot project in its annual agency budget request.

D. The department of education shall report to the legislative education study committee on the progress of the alternative education pilot program by November 1, 2002."

Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--Five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the state department of public education for expenditure in fiscal years 2000 through 2003 for the purpose of funding the operational costs of the alternative education pilot program in Sandoval county. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2003 shall revert to the general fund.