Bills that have actually passed, part deux

Yesterday, I provided a thrilling round-up of education bills that have passed both chambers of the legislature and are on the governor’s desk for signature. I also wrote this story for today’s paper about legislation related to community schools. Since APS is on spring break and I have some time, I’ve decided to continue providing this valuable service. Since yesterday, nine more bills have made it through both chambers to the governor’s desk, according to the legislature’s website. Here are the ones related to K-12 education:

HB522: This bill, sponsored by Rep. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, requires charter schools to verify with their chartering authority that they meet the requirements to receive federal grants. That’s all it does. I don’t know if this was an issue somewhere, but there you go.

SB183: I am unabashedly stoked about this bill, sponsored by Sen. Gay Kernan, R-Hobbs. It changes all GED-related language in state law to “high school equivalency diploma.” Variously throughout state law, such diplomas are currently called “general education diplomas,” “general equivalency diplomas,” “general educational development certificates” and “GEDs.” Writing about education in New Mexico, I’ve frequently been stumped as to just what GED stands for in New Mexico, and what the right term is. If this bill is signed, I would have a definitive answer and a consistent style.

I’m working on an actual story about HB481, which deals with teacher competency and the three-tier licensure system. I’m still learning about this bill, so keep an eye on the paper to see what I find out.

Oh, and the Governor has signed HJM38, which made Feb. 13 “Community Schools Day” at the Legislature. That makes it the first and only education-related bill to receive the governor’s signature so far this session.