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

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; ESTABLISHING AND DIRECTING AN ASSESSMENT OF ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN THE ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS; CREATING A BLUE-RIBBON ASSESSMENT PANEL; ENACTING SECTIONS OF THE NMSA 1978.

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

Section 1. ASSESSMENT OF ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION.--

A. The legislature finds that

(1) the needs of "at-risk" high school students that require or benefit from alternative education are varied;

(2) the options and curriculum of alternative schools and facilities have varying degrees of success in preparing at-risk students for further education and future employment; and

(3) vigorous standards and attentive evaluation of the successes and appropriateness of alternative education opportunities will permit the development and betterment of alternative education in the state.

B. An assessment of alternative education programs shall be conducted in the Albuquerque public schools by community education leaders and professionals. The purpose of the assessment is to ascertain and evaluate the contributions and successes of alternative schools in that school district in relation to at-risk students as well as to suggest other and additional opportunities that should be explored as part of the alternative education program in that school district and in the state.

C. Standards and changes shall include recommendations on:

(1) the continuation, limitation or expansion of current schools and programs;

(2) new programs and additional schools; and

(3) qualitative and quantitative standards by which alternative schools and programs may be evaluated to ensure that their contributions and participation in the education of at-risk students actually serve the best interests and future benefits of both the students and the state.

D. The assessment of alternative education programs shall be conducted by a blue-ribbon panel titled the "alternative education assessment panel" that shall be comprised of the chairman of the board of regents of the university of New Mexico, the president of the Albuquerque technical-vocational institute, the superintendent of Albuquerque public schools and three community members, one appointed by the governor, one appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate and one appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, who shall serve without compensation or reimbursement.

E. The assessment of alternative education programs shall be completed by December 1, 2000, and the panel's report with recommended changes and standards thereafter shall be provided to the Albuquerque public schools board, the state board of education and the legislative education study committee.

F. The state department of public education and the Albuquerque public schools shall provide the panel with clerical assistance and sufficient materials to conduct and complete its mission.

G. The alternative education assessment program shall become effective on July 1, 1999 and continue through April 1, 2001.