As used in the Teacher Preparation Affordability Act:
- A. "department" means the higher education department;
- B. "eligible student" means a New Mexico resident who is enrolled or enrolling in an accredited public education department-approved teacher preparation program at a New Mexico public post-secondary educational institution or tribal college at any time later than one hundred twenty days following high school graduation or the award of a high school equivalency credential and who is pursuing a teaching degree or is a licensed teacher and is pursuing a graduate degree in education or related to their teaching speciality;
- C. "scholarship" means a teacher preparation affordability scholarship; and
- D. "tribal college" means a tribally, federally or congressionally chartered tribal post-secondary educational institution located in New Mexico that is accredited by the higher learning commission.
History: Laws 2019, ch. 193, § 8; 2023, ch. 201, § 2.
ANNOTATIONS
The 2023 amendment, effective July 1, 2023, revised the definition of "eligible student" and "tribal college" as used in the Teacher Preparation Affordability Act; in Subsection B, after "enrolled or enrolling", deleted "at least half-time", and after "teaching degree", added "or is a licensed teacher and is pursuing a graduate degree in education or related to their teaching specialty"; and in Subsection D, after "accredited by the", deleted "north central association of colleges and schools" and added "higher learning commission".