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SENATE BILL 116
57TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 2025
INTRODUCED BY
Craig W. Brandt
AN ACT
RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; CREATING A MATH LAB PILOT PROJECT;
PROVIDING FOR AWARDS TO PARTICIPATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR
PARTICIPATING PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO ESTABLISH AND CONDUCT MATH LABS
TO IMPROVE MATH PROFICIENCY; 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] MATH LAB PILOT PROJECT CREATED.--
A. As used in this section:
(1) "math lab pilot project" means a
school-based program designed to provide students with support
and practice in mathematics with a focus on hands-on activities
and project-based learning;
(2) "math lab" means a dedicated learning
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environment designed to improve student math skills; and
(3) "school district" includes state- and
locally chartered charter schools.
B. The "math lab pilot project" is created as a
three-year pilot project to demonstrate that students'
participation in math labs improves student outcomes in
kindergarten through sixth grade mathematics and raises the
participating public school's mathematics scores on standards-
based assessments. Participating public schools shall test
students before, during and after the pilot project and follow
those students through the remainder of the students' time in
public school. The data collected during the pilot project and
over time shall be evaluated biennially to help the department
and the school districts determine the efficacy of math labs in
student success and allow the incorporation of methods and
strategies learned from the pilot project into the overall
teaching of mathematics.
C. The department shall administer the math lab
pilot project. Within the limits of appropriation, any school
district is eligible to participate.
D. The math lab pilot project requires
participating school districts to:
(1) establish a math lab in a participating
public school that shall be staffed by at least one teacher who
is knowledgeable about the academic content and performance
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standards for elementary mathematics;
(2) focus on small group instruction,
interactive learning and collaborative learning activities
specific to mathematics instruction and aligned with grade-
specific academic content and performance standards; and
(3) provide professional development
opportunities for teachers who staff math labs.
E. Each school district may decide annually whether
to participate in the math lab pilot project.
F. Interested school districts shall apply to the
department. The department shall develop criteria for
applications, public school participation and disbursement of
grant awards; oversee the implementation of the pilot project;
and provide technical assistance to participating public
schools through the mathematics and science bureau of the
department and the mathematics and science advisory council.
G. Each annual grant award shall be a minimum of
one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for each participating
public school.
H. The department shall provide, at least annually,
notice to each school district that is not participating in the
math lab pilot project information explaining the pilot
project, the amounts of the grant awards and the requirements
and procedures for participating in the pilot project.
I. Each participating school district shall report
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annual disaggregated demographic and proficiency data to the
department, including an evaluation that determines whether
students have gained proficiency. The reports shall include at
least the following information:
(1) the number and name of participating
public schools that year;
(2) the number of students who participated in
each participating public school's math lab;
(3) the total amount awarded to the school
district and the amounts distributed to each participating
public school;
(4) changes in student math proficiency among
participating school districts as measured by standardized
assessments in general and in particular students participating
in math labs; and
(5) narrative or other forms of feedback from
teachers, students and parents regarding the pilot project's
impact.
J. The department shall make school district
reports available to the governor and the legislature through
the legislative education study committee. By November 1,
2028, the department shall prepare a final report for the
governor and the legislature on the efficacy of the pilot
project, including recommendations for potential improvements
or expansion of math labs statewide."
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SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Three million dollars
($3,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the
public education department for expenditure in fiscal years
2026 through 2028 to conduct the math lab pilot project. The
appropriation shall be used exclusively for the purposes
outlined in Section 1 of this act, including school staffing,
instructional and classroom materials, technology, teacher
training or professional development and required reporting.
Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of
fiscal year 2028 shall revert to the general fund.
SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the
provisions of this act is July 1, 2025.
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