A. The "even start family literacy program" is created in the department to provide funding for preschool reading readiness and parenting education. The purpose of the program is to support the educational and developmental needs of students in preschool; address cultural diversity; and provide family support that leads to improved literacy, improved ability for students to succeed in school and economic self-sufficiency. Priority for funding shall be provided to those public schools that have the highest proportion of limited English proficient students, students living in poverty and Native American students.

B. The department shall develop even start family literacy program benchmarks and performance standards, guidelines for program approval and funding approval criteria. The department shall disseminate the program information in all public schools and shall provide technical assistance to public schools in developing proposals.

C. The department shall distribute money to public schools with approved even start family literacy programs that meet the specified criteria based upon actual program costs to ensure the implementation of performance based budgeting measures.

History: Laws 2001, ch. 168, § 1; 2017, ch. 65, § 3.

Cross references. — For the legislative education study committee, see 2-10-1 NMSA 1978.

The 2017 amendment, effective June 16, 2017, removed the requirement that public schools that receive even start family literacy program funds report to the public education department the results of the program, and removed certain duties of the public education department related to the even start family literacy program; after each occurrence of "department", deleted "of education"; and deleted Subsections D through F.