Education (K-12 Education)

HB 161 adjusts how New Mexico school districts calculate funding for "K-12 plus schools" - those offering more than 1,140 instructional hours annually (1,195+ hours for extended calendars). It modifies the formula to award higher funding rates (16 thousandths vs. 12 thousandths) for schools exceeding 1,195 instructional hours, based on actual hours and days taught. This directly affects school districts operating extended-calendar programs, changing how they receive state funding for those schools. The bill requires districts to submit student participation data by October 15 annually for the next school year’s funding calculations.

HB 116 amends New Mexico's Bilingual Multicultural Education Act to change how eligible public school programs must deliver instruction. It requires programs serving culturally and linguistically diverse students (especially in kindergarten through third grade) to either use a home or heritage language as the primary instruction medium or adopt a state-approved language revitalization model. The bill also mandates programs to include heritage language history/culture instruction, use qualified bilingual teachers, and provide clear parental notice about program placement. These changes apply to all state-funded bilingual programs seeking financial support under the updated law.