Bill > SB396

This bill amends the Hispanic Education Act to strengthen educational support and opportunities for Hispanic students in New Mexico. The bill expands the purpose of the act to explicitly include ensuring the maintenance of the Spanish language, and modifies the role of the Hispanic Education Liaison to advise on five-year strategic plans for both secondary and post-secondary education. The legislation requires an annual statewide Hispanic education status report that now includes new elements such as student achievement results disaggregated by ethnicity, school district initiatives to decrease dropouts, and more comprehensive reporting on student performance. A significant new provision mandates that school districts develop and publish a systemic framework for improving Hispanic students' educational outcomes, which must be created collaboratively with school employees, students, families, and community organizations. This framework should include culturally relevant programs, professional development, bilingual education initiatives, and support services ranging from early childhood interventions to guidance counseling and family literacy programs. The overall goal is to close achievement gaps, increase graduation rates, and enhance post-secondary enrollment and completion for Hispanic students by creating more targeted, culturally responsive educational strategies.

Government Affairs

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legtype=B&legno=396&year=25