ADDITIONAL SCHOOL PROGRAM UNITS

HB 200 adds two new funding categories to New Mexico's school finance system for teachers certified in bilingual education and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). School districts earn one program unit per bilingual-certified teacher and half a unit per TESOL-certified teacher, calculated using the state's standard funding rate. To qualify, schools must verify teacher credentials and provide salary increases equal to the unit value. This policy directly affects school districts, charter schools, and educators with these specific teaching endorsements by linking additional funding to certified staff.