Bill > SB461

This bill establishes the Legislative Equity & Excellence Task Force, a comprehensive educational initiative that will operate from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2029, with the goal of developing strategies to prepare public school students for post-secondary education, workforce success, and civic participation. The task force will consist of 24 members, including six legislative members and 18 public members representing diverse educational backgrounds such as teachers, principals, superintendents, experts in Indian, bilingual, and special education, business leaders, and teacher preparation program representatives. The task force is required to hold at least three meetings during the legislative interim, study high-performing education systems, review the Martinez and Yazzie lawsuit (a significant educational equity case in New Mexico), and examine how state and federal funding is being used to close achievement gaps. Key focus areas include ensuring equitable access to high-quality curriculum, developing a competent and culturally representative school workforce, creating whole-child support systems, and fostering collaboration among various educational stakeholders. The task force will submit annual interim reports and a final report by July 1, 2029, and is funded through a newly created "equity and excellence in education fund" with an initial appropriation of $250,000 from the public education reform fund. The bill aims to comprehensively address educational inequities and improve educational outcomes for all students in New Mexico.

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legtype=B&legno=461&year=25