Legislation Detail
HB 171/a SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Actions: [2] not prntd-HRC [3] w/drn-prntd-ref- HEC-HEC [5] DP/a [7] PASSED/H (57-1) [6] SEC-SEC- DP [7] PASSED/S (40-0)- SGND BY GOV (Feb. 9) Ch. 2.
Scheduled: Not Scheduled
House Bill 171 (HB 171) amends Public Schools to change graduation requirements for students entering ninth grade in the 2025-2028 school year to prepare students to graduate with a diploma of excellence. HB 171 aligns next-step plans to graduate profiles.Legislation Overview:
House Bill 171 (HB 171) amends Public Schools as follows: HB 171 is amended throughout to insert text, reletter to accommodate the insertions and insert charter schools in the requirements for next-step plans and graduate profiling. SECTION 1 amends Section 22-13-1.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1986, Chapter 33, Section 5, as amended) to add next-step plans to the title of this section and to insert Subsection A and B specifying the purpose of the New Mexico diploma of excellence and to encourage schools to make available courses and programs of study to allow students to pursue a range of post-secondary opportunities and workforce opportunities as determined by the student’s next-step plan and the school’s graduate profiles. Subsection C and Subsection D are amended to insert that each year’s next-step plan be aligned to the graduate profile and shall be completed on a department-approved template. Subsection G is deleted in its entirety. Subsection L is amended to delete a requirement that each school district shall submit a health education implementation plan to the department. Subsection N is deleted in its entirety. Subsections P through W are inserted as follows: P. Beginning with students entering the ninth grade in the 2025-2026 school year, successful completion of a minimum of 24 units aligned to the state academic content and performance standards shall be required for graduation and the award of a diploma of excellence. These units shall be as follows: (1) four units in English; (2) four units in mathematics; (3) three units in science; (4) four units in social science; (5) one unit in physical education; (6) one-half unit in health education;; (7) five and one-half elective units; and (8) two units set by each local school board or governing body of a charter school that meet department academic content and performance standards. Q. If a high school student who has taken one or both units provided in Paragraph (8) of Subsection P of this section moves from one school district or charter school to another, the receiving school district or charter school shall accept those earned units toward the student's graduation. R. For students entering the ninth grade in the 2025-2026 school year, one-half unit of health education is required prior to graduation, which shall meet the criteria specified in this subsection. S. Nothing in the minimum graduation requirements specified in Subsection P affects: (1) a school district's or charter school's authority to require more units for graduation than provided in this section; or (2) a student's opportunity to take advanced placement or honors courses, international baccalaureate courses or distance learning courses offered by the public school or dual credit courses offered in cooperation with institutions of higher education. T. Subject to the department's academic content and performance standards and other provisions of this section, every school district and charter school shall develop a graduate profile as specified in this subsection. U. Units earned in health, algebra 1 and geometry prior to enrolling in high school shall satisfy unit requirements required to earn a New Mexico diploma of excellence. V. The department shall adopt rules to implement graduation requirements by no later than December 31, 2024, which shall meet the specifications of this subsection. W. Two definitions as used in this section are inserted: “capstone course” and “graduate profile”. X. The secretary may establish a policy to provide for administrative interpretations to clarify curricular and testing provisions of the Public School Code. SECTION 2 repeals Section 22-13-1.2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 153, Section 59).Amendments:
House Bill 171 is amended by the House Education Committee as follows: In Section 1 under Graduation Requirements in Subsection M(1), which allows that one of the units in mathematics may comprise a computer science course, after demonstrating competence in mathematics. Text is deleted to remove the requirement to demonstrate competence in mathematics. In Subsection M(2), which allows that one of the units of science may comprise a computer science course, after a student demonstrates competence in science. Text is deleted to remove the requirement to demonstrate competence in science. In Section 1, Subsection O is deleted in its entirety. The deleted material refers to the 2010-2011 school year and is therefore outdated. Section 1 is relettered to reflect the deletion.