New Mexico § 21-1-50 - American Indian education technical assistance centers; higher education department to establish; procurement for centers' operations; powers and duties

§ 21-1-50. American Indian education technical assistance centers; higher education department to establish; procurement for centers' operations; powers and duties

A. The higher education department shall establish two American Indian education technical

assistance centers to provide technical assistance and support for tribal education

departments and tribal communities, with a primary focus on American Indian students'

education and success, while also working in partnership with the higher education

department, the public education department and the early childhood education and

care department to support: (1) the development of culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate curriculum

and instructional materials; (2) career pathways for American Indian educators; (3) professional development opportunities for licensed school employees and school

administrators in culturally and linguistically relevant pedagogy; (4) education policy developments and capacity building for tribal communities; (5) collaboration with state education agencies on tribal-related programs to help

agencies with outreach, recommend indigenous educators, scholars and professionals

as consultants to tribal programs and participate in funding applications to support

the technical assistance centers and other statewide indigenous education efforts; (6) collaboration with institutions serving American Indian students, including school

districts, charter schools, early childhood centers and programs, bureau of Indian

education schools and public and tribal higher education institutions; and (7) additional responsibilities or duties related to American Indian education or

vocational support determined by consultation among the various stakeholders. B. Two American Indian education technical assistance centers in geographically distinct

regions of the state shall serve all American Indian students and federally recognized

Indian nations, tribes and pueblos located wholly or partially in New Mexico. The higher education department shall seek tribal input and feedback from the public

education department and the early childhood education and care department for the

preparation of a request for proposals to operate a center and provide the services

specified in the request for proposals, including the: (1) types of technical assistance provided to institutions serving American Indian

students, including school districts, charter schools, early childhood centers, homes

and programs, bureau of Indian education schools, public and tribal higher education

institutions, tribally operated departments and tribal governments; and (2) partnerships the centers propose to develop, including with state agencies, school

districts, charter schools, early education centers, homes and programs, bureau of

Indian education schools, federally recognized Indian nations, tribes and pueblos

and public and tribal higher education institutions. C. The higher education department's request for proposals shall prioritize applications

from tribal colleges and universities in New Mexico, American Indian programs at New

Mexico public higher education institutions and tribally controlled institutions and

entities with demonstrated experience and knowledge of working with American Indian

students and federally recognized Indian nations, tribes and pueblos located wholly

or partially in New Mexico and include how a center is expected to: (1) set goals, objectives and benchmarks; (2) provide annual reports on the progress and status of projects undertaken to be

made available to the higher education department, which will then distribute the

reports to appropriate agencies, the governor's office and the legislature; and (3) report contracting and financial accounting information to the department in the

form required by the higher education department.