Merit Institute Merit

The New Mexico Merit-Based Education & Workforce Reform Act (NM-MEWRA)

New Mexico state companion to MEWRA. Uses the Charter Schools Act (NMSA 1978 Sec. 22-8B-1 et seq.) and dual-credit programs (NMSA 1978 Sec. 21-1-1.2). New Mexico does not operate an ESA.

THE NEW MEXICO MERIT-BASED EDUCATION & WORKFORCE REFORM ACT (NM-MEWRA)

Vehicle: State passage. New Mexico Legislature, regular session. Primary referral to House / Senate Education.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the “New Mexico Merit-Based Education & Workforce Reform Act (NM-MEWRA).”

SECTION 2. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT

The Legislature finds that New Mexico authorizes public charter schools under the Charter Schools Act, NMSA 1978 Sec. 22-8B-1 et seq.; that dual-credit is authorized under NMSA 1978 Sec. 21-1-1.2; that the Public Education Department publishes school performance data; that the State Workforce Development Board operates under NMSA 1978 Sec. 50-14-1 et seq.; and that New Mexico does not operate an ESA. This Act extends these frameworks consistent with New Mexico’s public-school framework.

TITLE I — DEFINITIONS & COORDINATION WITH NEW MEXICO LAW

Sec. 101. Definitions

  1. (a) “New Mexico outcome-based school” means a public charter school authorized under Title II by the New Mexico Outcome-Based School Authorizer (“NM-OBSA”) under the Charter Schools Act.
  2. (b) “Workforce Board” means the State Workforce Development Board.
  3. (c) “Dual-credit pathway” has the meaning given in NMSA 1978 Sec. 21-1-1.2.

Sec. 102. Coordination with Existing New Mexico Law

  1. (a) Consistent with:
  • NMSA 1978 Sec. 22-8B-1 et seq. (Charter Schools Act).
  • NMSA 1978 Sec. 21-1-1.2 (dual credit).
  • NMSA 1978 Sec. 50-14-1 et seq. (Workforce Board).

TITLE II — NEW MEXICO OUTCOME-BASED SCHOOL AUTHORIZER

Sec. 201. Establishment of NM-OBSA

  1. (a) The Public Education Commission, in coordination with the Public Education Department, shall designate a New Mexico Outcome-Based School Authorizer (“NM-OBSA”) under the Charter Schools Act.
  2. (b) NM-OBSA shall authorize provisional public charter schools without requiring regional-accreditor accreditation.

Sec. 202. Outcome-Based Authorization Standard

  1. (a) Authorization requires publication of outcome metrics under Sec. 401.
  2. (b) Facilities, safety, and background-check standards applicable under NMSA 1978 Sec. 22-8B-1 et seq.
  3. (c) Four-year term, renewable on thresholds.

TITLE III — EDUCATION-FUND PORTABILITY (Charter & Dual-Credit Rewire)

Sec. 301. Charter and Dual-Credit Funding

  1. (a) A Title II-authorized school operating as a public charter under the Charter Schools Act is entitled to state equalization guarantee distributions on the same terms as other public charters.
  2. (b) NM-OBSA schools may participate in dual-credit programs under NMSA 1978 Sec. 21-1-1.2.

Sec. 302. Workforce Disbursements

  1. (a) The State Workforce Development Board shall ensure that within 24 months, at least 50 percent of WIOA-aligned workforce-program disbursements flow to providers publishing outcome data in the NM-OBSA Registry or Federal NLMF.

TITLE IV — PUBLISHED OUTCOME METRICS

Sec. 401. New Mexico Outcome-Metrics Registry

  1. (a) NM-OBSA shall publish completion rate; one- and three-year earnings medians; licensure/NMRMC/FRAC attainment.
  2. (b) Data sources: Public Education Department and Department of Workforce Solutions wage records.

Sec. 402. Coordination with the Federal NLMF

  1. (a) Crosswalked to the Federal NLMF.
  2. (b) Nothing authorizes disclosure of PII except as permitted under the Inspection of Public Records Act (NMSA 1978 Sec. 14-2-1 et seq.) and FERPA.

TITLE V — ENFORCEMENT & REMEDIES

Sec. 501. Non-Compliant Provider Remedies

  1. (a) Suspension of NM-OBSA authorization; Registry suspension; administrative penalty up to $500,000 per willful violation.
  2. (b) No private right of action.

TITLE VI — IMPLEMENTATION & GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 601. Severability

If any provision is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect the remainder.

Sec. 602. Effective Date

This Act shall take effect on July 1 of the year following enactment.

Canonical federal version: MEWRA. Other New Mexico bills: NM-ACSA, NM-GT&P, NM-AI-Workforce.