This rule was filed as 5 NMAC 5.4.
TITLE 5 POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
CHAPTER 5 POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
PART 4 EXTENDED LEARNING FUND
5.5.4.1 ISSUING AGENCY: State of New Mexico Commission on Higher Education, 1068 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501-4295, (505) 827-7383
[3/16/51, 7/1/94; Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.4.2 SCOPE: All public schools and public post-secondary institutions in New Mexico are qualified to request funding through 5 NMAC 5.4 [now 5.5.4 NMAC].
[9/30/96; Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.4.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Authority for 5 NMAC 5.4 [now 5.5.4 NMAC] is found in NMSA 1978; Sections 21-2A-11 and 21-2A-12.
[6/16/95; Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.4.4 DURATION: Permanent.
[9/30/96; Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.4.5 EFFECTIVE DATE: September 30, 1996 [unless a later date is cited at the end of a section].
[9/30/96; Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.4.6 OBJECTIVE:
A. The objective of 5 NMAC 5.4 [now 5.5.4 NMAC] is to encourage and support the development and operation of extended learning programs that ensure equitable student access to educational opportunities throughout New Mexico.
B. The extended learning fund was created in the state treasury for the purpose of making awards to public schools and public post-secondary institutions to develop and operate extended learning programs throughout the state. Money in this fund is appropriated to the New Mexico commission on higher education, which is charged with making awards for the purpose of establishing pilot programs that focus on:
(1) the creation and operation of community based extended learning centers;
(2) the development of regional resources; and
(3) the expanded use of technology in instruction.
[9/30/96; Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.4.7 DEFINITIONS:
A. "Commission" means the New Mexico commission on higher education.
B. "ELF" means the extended learning fund.
C. "Extended learning" means the full range of available and developing modes for bringing instruction to learners, including live instructor delivery, instructional television, computer conferencing, video conferencing, audio conferencing, etc.
D. "RFP" means request for proposal.
[9/30/96; Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.4.8 ADMINISTRATION:
A. The commission shall assign a separate fund and organization code for the ELF in an interest-bearing account with the New Mexico state treasurer and the New Mexico department of finance and administration.
B. At the beginning of each fiscal year, the commission shall budget funds available in the ELF for expenditure.
C. Upon receipt of a list of proposals approved by the commission for awards, commission staff shall implement the appropriate purchase documents and vouchers to distribute awarded funds to the appropriate institutions.
D. Interest on unexpended and unencumbered balances shall be credited to the ELF, and budgeted in the following fiscal year for expenditure.
E. Institutions shall refund to the commission any balances remaining in project accounts at the end of the fiscal year(s) for which ELF funds were awarded.
[9/30/96; Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.4.9 ELIGIBILITY: All public state-supported colleges, universities, off-campus instructional centers, area-vocational schools, technical-vocational schools, special schools and public schools in New Mexico are eligible to submit proposals for ELF funding.
[9/30/96; Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.4.10 AWARDS:
A. The selection of projects will be based on a competitive process.
B. Priority will be given to proposals from educational institutions for collaborative projects designed to increase educational services to New Mexico residents through resource sharing efforts. It is intended that educational institutions receiving awards shall collaborate with other higher education institutions, public schools, school districts, state agencies community-based organizations, and/or the private sector in the utilization of allocated funds.
C. Acceptable proposals include those requesting support for initial pilot programs, as well as expansion of existing extended learning efforts. Proposals may include requests ranging from support for technical needs (e.g., the purchase of technology and equipment) to non-technical support services (e.g., teacher training or academic support).
D. The criteria below will generally be used in reviewing and ranking program proposals:
(1) extent to which the proposal addresses the objective of the ELF;
(2) demonstration of educational need for the proposal;
(3) congruence of the proposal with institutional mission(s) and strengths;
(4) evidence in the proposal of collaborative planning and support;
(5) capacity of the proposal to interconnect existing educational delivery systems and/or develop technologically compatible educational delivery systems;
(6) evidence in the proposal of institutional commitment and availability of support services;
(7) inclusion in the proposal of a rigorous assessment/evaluation component;
(8) cost of the proposal and extent of matching funds provided; and
(9) staff qualifications.
[9/30/96; Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.4.11 DELIVERABLES:
A. Proposals receiving funding from the ELF must result in a demonstrable product(s) (such as installed equipment, infrastructure connectivity, on-line library databases, faculty training programs, course syllabi, planning documents, etc.).
B. Progress reports from ELF-funded projects will be required semi-annually to the commission.
C. ELF project leaders may be invited to make presentations to the commission or other groups from time to time.
D. Other program products may be determined at the time of reaching agreement on the ELF proposal award.
[9/30/96; Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.4.12 DURATION OF AWARDS: Up to three years of funding may be provided on an annual basis, contingent upon funding being provided by the New Mexico legislature and the governor, and the nature of the project being funded.
[9/30/96; Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.4.13 PROCESS FOR AWARDS:
A. The specific requirements for submitting proposals, and the time line for awards and submission of project reports will be specified annually in a published RFP. This RFP will be developed by commission staff in consultation with the commission.
B. Proposals must be submitted through the chief executive officer of the applicant public school, school district or public post-secondary institution. Collaborative proposals involving more than one party should include evidence of each party's willingness to participate and commitment to share resources. The signature of the chief executive officer of each participating party is required on the proposal.
C. Proposals will be subject to a competitive review process with points assigned to the preceding award criteria (see Section 10.4) [now Subsection D of 5.5.4.10 NMAC].
D. Proposals will be evaluated by commission staff and thence by members of the commission. Funding recommendations will be based on the relative rankings of the proposals determined by the review process. Final awards will be determined by the commission in a public meeting.
[9/30/96; Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.4.14 EVALUATION AND REPORTING ON EXTENDED LEARNING AND THE EXTENDED LEARNING FUND:
A. The commission annually will request information about extended learning activities from each public post-secondary institution.
B. All recipients of awards from the ELF will be required to provide progress and performance reports to the commission on a schedule set by the commission.
C. The commission will periodically evaluate the statewide extended learning initiative, including the performance of the ELF in meeting its stated objectives.
D. A report on the status of the statewide extended learning initiative and the performance of the ELF in meeting its stated objectives will be submitted by the commission to the New Mexico legislature and the governor by October 1 of each year.
[9/30/96; Recompiled 10/31/01]
History OF 5.5.4 NMAC: [RESERVED]