underscored material = new
[bracketed material] = delete
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
HOUSE BILL 560
57
TH LEGISLATURE
-
STATE
OF
NEW
MEXICO
-
FIRST SESSION
,
2025
INTRODUCED BY
Jack Chatfield
AN ACT
RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION; ENACTING THE WORKFORCE READINESS
AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT ACT; REQUIRING ESTABLISHMENT OF
WORKFORCE READINESS PROGRAMS; REQUIRING EVALUATION AND REPORTS;
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
SECTION 1. A new section of the Public School Code is
enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the
"Workforce Readiness and Student Engagement Act"."
SECTION 2. A new section of the Public School Code is
enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Workforce
Readiness and Student Engagement Act:
A. "apprenticeship" means a structured, work-based
.231031.1ms underscored material = new
[bracketed material] = delete
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
learning program for a student that combines classroom
instruction with hands-on training in a specific trade or
profession;
B. "certification" means industry-recognized
credentials awarded to a student upon successful completion of
a workforce preparation program;
C. "dual credit" means college-level courses in
which a high school student is enrolled and for which the
student earns high school and college credits;
D. "on-the-job training and mentorship" means a
program that offers a student practical and direct work
experience with ongoing guidance from a mentor or supervisor
during the program;
E. "student" means a public school student in pre-
kindergarten through twelfth grade; and
F. "workforce readiness" means that a student
possesses a set of skills, a certification or experiences or a
combination of those that has prepared the student for direct
entry into the workforce."
SECTION 3. A new section of the Public School Code is
enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS--WORKFORCE
READINESS PATHWAY--SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES.--
A. A student may choose a workforce readiness
pathway as part of the student's graduation requirements.
.231031.1ms
- 2 - underscored material = new
[bracketed material] = delete
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Workforce readiness pathway options include:
(1) a certification program aligned with the
state's workforce needs through which a student may earn a
certification in a professional field with high workforce
demand, including health care, technology, skilled trades and
renewable energy;
(2) enrollment in dual credit courses through
an institution of higher education in the state;
(3) an apprenticeship or employment with a
local employer that has established a partnership with the
student's school for the purposes described in this section;
and
(4) on-the-job training and mentorship that
offers an opportunity for a high school student to learn
directly from professionals in various professional fields.
B. Every school that serves students in grades nine
through twelve shall develop an apprenticeship program.
C. Every school that will offer a workforce
readiness program shall develop the program in collaboration
with the workforce solutions department to ensure that the
program aligns industries with high labor demands and local
labor market needs."
SECTION 4. A new section of the Public School Code is
enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND ATTENDANCE
.231031.1ms
- 3 - underscored material = new
[bracketed material] = delete
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
IMPROVEMENT.--
A. To improve student engagement, schools shall
implement engagement strategies, including:
(1) programs to expose students to career
pathways through career fairs, internships and visits to work
sites in various industries;
(2) development of individualized student
learning plans that incorporate students' career interests and
goals; and
(3) recognition of students through rewards,
public acknowledgment, honors and incentives for participation
and achievement in workforce readiness programs.
B. The department shall develop a comprehensive
plan to monitor and improve attendance rates. The plan shall
include:
(1) early intervention programs that identify
students who are at risk of chronic absenteeism and provide
them with targeted support, including tutoring, mentorship and
family engagement strategies;
(2) flexible scheduling and virtual learning
options for students who participate in workforce readiness
pathways; and
(3) engagement of employers and community
organizations to assist with providing incentives and
supporting students in workforce-related learning activities."
.231031.1ms
- 4 - underscored material = new
[bracketed material] = delete
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
SECTION 5. A new section of the Public School Code is
enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] PROGRAM EVALUATION--ACCOUNTABILITY.--
A. Each year, the department, in collaboration with
the workforce solutions department, shall evaluate the
effectiveness of the workforce readiness programs provided for
in the Workforce Readiness and Student Engagement Act. The
evaluation shall include documentation of:
(1) the number of students who completed a
certification, dual credit course or apprenticeship;
(2) the post-graduation employment rate of
students who previously participated in workforce readiness
programs; and
(3) the impact on student attendance and
engagement rates.
B. The department shall submit an annual report to
the legislature on workforce readiness programs provided for
under the Workforce Readiness and Student Engagement Act. The
annual report shall describe the progress of workforce
readiness programs, attendance improvement strategies
implemented through the programs and the effectiveness of the
programs."
SECTION 6. APPROPRIATION.--Twenty million dollars
($20,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the
public education department for expenditure in fiscal year 2026
.231031.1ms
- 5 - underscored material = new
[bracketed material] = delete
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
and subsequent fiscal years to support workforce readiness
programs created pursuant to the Workforce Readiness and
Student Engagement Act. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance
remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the
general fund.
- 6 -
.231031.1ms