SB480 requires the Public Education Department to produce an annual report of directory information for students who are still in school-age status but have not graduated from high school within four years of entering ninth grade. The report must be created by July 15 after each school year and cover students enrolled in a public school during any of the prior four school years.
The bill also requires the department, upon request, to share that report with a defined set of education and workforce entities, including the Higher Education Department, public post-secondary institutions, school districts, charter schools, legislative education committees, and New Mexico-based adult basic education or workforce development providers. Those recipients are specifically identified as organizations that may use the information to support students in earning a diploma, a high school equivalency credential, or workforce credentials.
Impact
The bill adds a new section to the Public School Code establishing a statewide reporting requirement focused on students who are out of cohort, meaning they have not graduated within four years of entering ninth grade. It does not create a new graduation standard or penalty, but it does require the Public Education Department to compile and distribute student directory information to certain public agencies and service providers. The practical effect is to facilitate outreach, intervention, and program coordination for students at risk of not completing high school on time, while also expanding the flow of student information to education and workforce partners.
Sentiment
The voting record suggests the bill was broadly supported and not controversial in the Legislature. It passed the Senate unanimously, 36-0, and the House by a wide margin, 62-1. With no committee transcripts available, there is no recorded floor or committee debate to indicate significant opposition, and the near-unanimous votes suggest general agreement with the bill’s goal of improving student tracking and support for delayed graduates.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the use and sharing of student directory information, since the bill authorizes the Public Education Department to provide reports to multiple entities outside the K-12 system. Any concerns would likely center on student privacy, data handling, and whether the reporting could be used effectively without stigmatizing students who do not graduate on the traditional timeline. However, the voting history indicates that if such concerns existed, they did not generate substantial legislative opposition.