Digital Equity in Education

NMSA 1978 ch. 22, art. 15A

in effect

NMSA 1978, § 22-15A-1 Short title

22-15A-1. Short title Chapter 22, Article 15A NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "Digital Equity in Education Act". Laws 1994, ch. 96, § 1; 2005, ch. 222, § 1; 2023, ch. 161, § 1.

NMSA 1978, § 22-15A-2 Definitions

22-15A-2. Definitions As used in the Digital Equity in Education Act: A. "council" means the council on technology in education; B. "digital citizenship" means the safe, ethical, responsible and informed use of technology and encompasses a range of skills and literacies, including internet safety, privacy and security; recognition and reporting of cyberbullying; online reputation management; communication skills; information literacy; and creative credit and copyright; C. "digital equity" means a condition in which every learner has the information, support and skills to equitably access affordable, reliable and high-speed internet; adequate internet-enabled devices; digital literacy training; quality technical support; and evidence-based applications and content designed to facilitate both self-sufficient and collaborative learning; D. "educational technology" means all applications of technology in the learning process, including internet connectivity, digital information, electronic devices and evidence-based software applications used to facilitate and enhance teaching and learning; E. "large school district" means a school district with a membership of twelve thousand or more students, using an average of the membership on the second and third reporting dates of the prior year; and F. "small school district" means a school district with a membership of fewer than twelve thousand students, using an average of the membership on the second and third reporting dates of the prior year. Laws 1994, ch. 96, § 2; 2023, ch. 161, § 2.

NMSA 1978, § 22-15A-4 Department duties

22-15A-4. Department duties The department shall: A. administer the provisions of the Digital Equity in Education Act; B. require school districts and charter schools to develop, implement and submit to the department educational technology plans for utilizing educational technology in the school system, which shall include descriptions of: (1) how digital equity is being addressed for students; (2) the replacement and repair process for devices issued to students, teachers and families; (3) internet service connectivity support, including access to internet services for at-risk students; (4) information technology support available to students, teachers and parents; (5) professional development provided to teachers regarding digital citizenship; (6) cybersecurity protection provided for the devices and applications issued to teachers and students; and (7) identity protection provided to teachers and students; and C. promulgate rules to establish parameters and procedures for distributions from the educational technology fund. Laws 1994, ch. 96, § 4; 2023, ch. 161, § 3.

NMSA 1978, § 22-15A-5 Council on technology in education; created; purpose

22-15A-5. Council on technology in education; created; purpose The "council on technology in education" is created. The council shall advise the department regarding the establishment of appropriate educational technology standards, technology-enhanced curricula, instruction, appropriations for educational technology and methods for addressing digital equity in public schools. Laws 1994, ch. 96, § 5; 2023, ch. 161, § 4.

NMSA 1978, § 22-15A-6 Council membership

22-15A-6. Council membership A. The council shall be composed of thirteen members. Members shall be appointed by the department for terms of four years. As designated by the department at the time of initial appointment, the terms of four members shall expire at the end of two years, the terms of four members shall expire at the end of three years and the terms of five members shall expire at the end of four years. B. When appointing members, the department shall appoint: (1) one member from state government who shall have expertise in information technology; (2) the director of the office of broadband access and expansion of the department of information technology or the director's designee; (3) two members who shall have expertise in school district administration, one member who shall be from a large school district and one member who shall be from a small school district; (4) two members who shall have expertise in providing technology-based instruction in elementary or secondary schools; (5) one member from a large school district who shall have expertise in the education of Native American, English language learner, low-income or special education students; (6) one member from a small school district who shall have expertise in the education of Native American, English language learner, low-income or special education students; (7) one member who shall be a parent of a school-age child; (8) two members who shall be public school secondary students, one member who shall be from a large school district and one member from a small school district; and (9) two members at large. C. In making appointments to the council, the department shall give due consideration to gender and ethnicity to achieve a membership representative of the geographic and cultural diversity of New Mexico. D. Members of the council shall elect a chair from among the membership. The council shall meet at the call of the chair not less than quarterly. E. Members of the council shall receive per diem and mileage pursuant to the provisions of the Per Diem and Mileage Act [10-8-1 to 10-8-8 NMSA 1978], but shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance. Laws 1994, ch. 96, § 6; 2023, ch. 161, § 5.

NMSA 1978, § 22-15A-7 Council duties

22-15A-7. Council duties The council shall: A. advise the department on implementation of the provisions of the Digital Equity in Education Act; B. work with the department to conduct periodic assessments of the need for educational technology in the public school system to support on-site and distance learning and make recommendations to the department on how to meet those needs; and C. promote the collaborative development and implementation of educational technologies, projects and practices to enhance on-site and distance learning instruction capabilities. Laws 1994, ch. 96, § 7; 2007, ch. 292, § 8; 2023, ch. 161, § 6.

NMSA 1978, § 22-15A-8 Educational technology fund; created

22-15A-8. Educational technology fund; created The "educational technology fund" is created in the state treasury. Money in the fund is appropriated to the department for the purpose of implementing the provisions of the Digital Equity in Education Act. Money in the fund shall be distributed by the department for the purposes stated in the Digital Equity in Education Act to school districts and charter schools for educational technology. Money in the fund shall only be expended pursuant to warrants issued by the department of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers signed by the secretary. Money in the fund shall not revert at the end of the fiscal year. Laws 1994, ch. 96, § 8; 2023, ch. 161, § 7.

Source: New Mexico Compilation Commission (nmonesource.com)URL: https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa-unanno/en/item/18522/index.doFetched: 10/20/2026