A. The state board [department] shall make, adopt and keep current a state plan for special education policy, programs and standards.

B. The department of education [public education department] with the approval of the state board [department] shall set standards for diagnosis and screening of and educational offerings for exceptional children in public schools, in private, nonsectarian, nonprofit training centers and in state institutions under the authority of the secretary of health.

C. The state board [department] shall establish and maintain a program of evaluation of the implementation and impact of all programs for exceptional children in the public schools. This program shall be operated with the cooperation of local school districts. Portions of the program may be subcontracted, and periodic reports regarding the efficacy of programs for exceptional children shall be made to the legislative education study committee.

D. The department of education [public education department] shall coordinate programming related to the transition of persons with disabilities from secondary and post-secondary education programs to employment or vocational placement.

History: 1953 Comp., § 77-11-3.2, enacted by Laws 1972, ch. 95, § 3; 1978, ch. 211, § 13; 1990, ch. 94, § 4; 1993, ch. 229, § 1.

Repeals and reenactments. — Laws 1972, ch. 95, § 3, repealed 77-11-3.2, 1953 Comp., as enacted by Laws 1971, ch. 109, § 1, relating to provision of special education services and facilities by localities, and enacted a new 22-13-7 NMSA 1978.

Bracketed material. — The bracketed material was inserted by the compiler and is not part of the law.

Laws 2004, ch. 25, § 27, provided that all references to the superintendent of public instruction shall be deemed references to the secretary of public education and all references to the former state board of education or state department of education shall be deemed references to the public education department. See 9-24-15 NMSA 1978.

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

The 1993 amendment, effective June 18, 1993, deleted "and environment" at the end of Subsection B and added Subsection D.

The 1990 amendment, effective May 16, 1990, substituted "state board" for "state board of education" in Subsections A and B, deleted "department" after "health and environment" at the end of Subsection B, added Subsection C, and made minor stylistic changes in Subsection B.

Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — Requisite conditions and appropriate factors affecting educational placement of handicapped children, 23 A.L.R.4th 740.