(Santa Fe, NM)-The New Mexico State Board of Education (SBE) will consider the methodology for rating schools in 2003-2004 at its April regular board meeting, to be held on Tuesday, April 8, beginning at 2:30 p.m., and Wednesday, April 9, beginning at 8:00 a.m., at the New Mexico State Department of Education (SDE), Mabry Hall, located at 300 Don Gaspar Street in Santa Fe.

On Wednesday, the SBE will consider changes to the ratings methodology based on the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. The SDE proposes to disaggregate student achievement data per the following: Caucasian/Whites not of Hispanic origin, Blacks not of Hispanic origin, Hispanics, Asian/Pacific Islanders and American Indian/Alaskan natives, English Language Learners (ELL) and free and reduced-price lunch.

A key change is that if a school lacks 95 percent participation, it will not be able to rate above "meets standards." Student achievement data will be combined across grade level by subject and status and growth points will continue to be assigned. This technique will ensure the minimum number of students acceptable within a subgroup to rate the subgroups.

"Our goal is to continue rating schools and providing the necessary support for school improvement and corrective action schools while we continue the transition processes for the state's accountability program already underway," said Dr. Mel Morgan, assistant superintendent for Accountability and Information Services.

Also on Wednesday, the SBE will elect officers for 2003, honor MacArthur Elementary in Las Cruces as a "School on the Rise," hear an update on the Cuba schools settlement plan and consider a rating change for Valle Vista Elementary in Albuquerque for the 2003-2003 school year. The SBE will also hear a report on the status of public school-related legislation from the 2003 Legislature.

On Tuesday, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., the SDE will hold an appeal hearing for La Academia de Idiomas Y Cultura Charter School, denied by the Las Cruces Public Schools in January 2003.

The SBE's six standing committees will hold meetings on Monday and Tuesday in Mabry Hall. Committees act in an advisory capacity to the SBE, referring items for action. Committee discussions will include:

• Legislation and Safe Schools. The SBE's Executive Committee will meet on Monday, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., to hear a review of the 2003 legislative session and a report on efforts to ensure safe schools in light of national and world events.
• Licensure. The SBE's Educator Quality Committee will meet on Monday from 9:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. to consider the proposed Native American Language and Culture license and an update on three-tiered licensure.
• Accountability. The SBE's Accountability Committee will meet on Monday from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. to hear an update on the state's plan to the federal government to comply with the accountability requirements of the NCLB Act, consider the methodology for rating schools in 2003-2004, consider a rating change for Valle Vista Elementary in Albuquerque, review the School Safety 2000-2001 Report (formerly the Violence & Vandalism Report) and hear a report on corrective action. The school safety report will be released to the media during the meeting.
• High School Reform. The SBE's Vocational Rehabilitation, Career Education & Adult Services Committee will meet on Monday from 4:15 to 6:00 p.m. to hear an update on workshops being held statewide to receive input on options for high school reform.
• Standards. The SBE's Instructional Services Committee will meet on Tuesday from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. to consider draft science standards.
• Financial Issues. The SBE's Finance, Transportation and Administration Committee will meet on Tuesday from 10:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A report on school district and school financial issues will be considered for the Cuba, Hatch, Maxwell and Vaughn school districts and Public Academy Performing Arts Charter School and Robert F. Kennedy Charter School in Albuquerque.

The next regular meeting of the SBE will be held on June 18-20 in Santa Fe.

The SBE's April agenda is available at the following web address:
http://ped.state.nm.us/sbe.desktop/brditems/agenda.items/docs/agenda.apr.7.9.03.pdf.