Dear Editor,
Members of the Senate Education Committee considered three bills Feb. 7 that could have impact on colleges of education and educator preparatory programs in the areas of reading and math, and a piece of legislation which increases the cap on return-to-work earnings.
First, the easy bill – Senate Bill 133 raises the earnings cap for educators returning to work from $15,000 to $25,000 for those who are returning to work without suspending their ERB benefits.
We support that this legislation may decrease the number of vacancies, however we should continue to monitor the impacts SB 133 may have on the pension fund, as this policy may have a negative impact of up to $1.2 million per year.
AFT New Mexico is neutral on SB 133; however, we will continue to monitor the legislation’s progress. SB 133 received unanimous support from Committee members.
SB 242 would amend the Public School Code and create the Advancing the Science of Reading Act to ensure educator preparation programs use only structured literacy practices, and future educators are trained in scientifically based reading instruction.
Additionally, SB 242:
- Bans the use of balanced literacy in New Mexico public schools, state agencies, or by anyone who receives state funding.
- Requires all reading instruction in prekindergarten through 12th grade public schools to use high-quality instructional materials that must meet specified parameters, including being grounded in evidence-based research, among others.
- Require all EPPs to use the science of reading as the basis for reading instruction coursework, and for EPP candidates to use structured literacy practices within their field experience.
- Require EPP reading instruction coursework and field experience for prekindergarten through 12th grade to only to use HQIM reviewed by the Public Education Department and included on PED’s ELA core instructional materials multiple lists and recognized for structured literacy.
- Stipulate EPPs require six credit hours in SBRI for prekindergarten through third grade, kindergarten through eighth grade, fifth through ninth grade, sixth through 12th grade, and prekindergarten through 12th grade special education candidates seeking standard or alternative licensure.
- Create a “literacy coordinator” position at each EPP to oversee the implementation of SBRI and ensure compliance with the proposed act.
- Require EPPs to ensure teacher candidates are trained to identify when students are not reading at grade level and to provide appropriate interventions.
