US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

22-10A-8. Alternative level one license.

A.     The department shall issue an alternative level one license to a person who is at least eighteen years of age and who has:   

(1)     completed a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution of higher education, including completion of a minimum of thirty credit hours at either the undergraduate or graduate level in the subject area of instruction for which he is applying for a license;   

(2)     completed a master's degree at an accredited institution of higher education, including completion of a minimum of twelve graduate credit hours in the subject area of instruction for which he is applying for a license; or   

(3)     completed a doctoral or law degree at an accredited institution of higher education; and   

(4)     passed the New Mexico teacher assessments examination; and   

(5)     completed a minimum of twelve semester hours of instruction in teaching principles in a program approved by the department; or   

(6)     demonstrated to the department, in conjunction with the school district or state agency, that he has met the state board-approved competencies for level one teachers that correspond to the grade level that will be taught.   

B.     A degree referred to in Subsection A of this section shall correspond to the subject area of instruction and the particular grade level that will enable the applicant to teach in a competent manner as determined by the department.   

C.     An alternative level one teacher shall participate in the same mentorship, evaluation and other professional development requirements as other level one teachers.   

D.     A school district or state agency shall not discriminate against a teacher on the basis that he holds an alternative level one license.