N.M. Stat. § 22-1-9.1
New Mexico diploma of excellence; state seal for bilingual
and biliterate graduates.
A. The state seal of bilingualism-biliteracy on a New Mexico diploma of excellence
certifies that the recipient is proficient for meaningful use in college, a career or to meet
a local community language need in a world language other than English. The
graduate's high school transcript shall also indicate that the graduate received the state
seal on the graduate's New Mexico diploma of excellence.
B. The department shall adopt rules to establish the criteria for students to earn a
seal of bilingualism-biliteracy, to include:
(1)
the number of units of credit in a language other than English, including
content courses taught in a language other than English, English language arts or
English as a second language for English language learners;
(2)
passage of state assessments in a world language other than English or
English language arts for English language learners;
(3)
in the case of tribal languages, certification of tribal language proficiency in
consultation with individual tribes and adherence to processes and criteria defined by
that tribe as appropriate for determining proficiency in its language;
(4)
demonstrated proficiency in one or more languages other than English
through one of the following methods:
(a) score three or higher on an advanced placement examination for a
language other than English;
(b) score four or higher on an international baccalaureate examination for a
higher-level language other than English course;
(c) score proficient on a national assessment of language proficiency in a
language other than English; or
(d) provide presentations, interviews, essays, portfolios and other alternative
processes that demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English.
C. In establishing the criteria for awarding the state seal of bilingualism-biliteracy,
the department shall establish and consult with a task force of stakeholders that
represent language experts, including:
(1)
Indian nations, tribes and pueblos;
(2)
teachers of world languages;
(3)
endorsed teachers of bilingual multicultural education;
(4)
directors of bilingual education;
(5)
statewide organizations representing language educators, bilingual
education, dual language education and teachers of English as a second language;
(6)
university professors of world languages, heritage languages, Indian
languages and bilingual education; and
(7)
representatives of the state bilingual advisory council, the Indian education
advisory council and the Hispanic education advisory council.