A. The higher education department shall establish two American Indian education technical assistance centers to provide technical assistance and support for tribal education departments and tribal communities, with a primary focus on American Indian students’ education and success, while also working in partnership with the higher education department, the public education department and the early childhood education and care department to support:

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(1)     the development of culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate curriculum and instructional materials;

(2)     career pathways for American Indian educators;

(3)     professional development opportunities for licensed school employees and school administrators in culturally and linguistically relevant pedagogy;

(4)     education policy developments and capacity building for tribal communities;

(5)     collaboration with state education agencies on tribal-related programs to help agencies with outreach, recommend indigenous educators, scholars and professionals as consultants to tribal programs and participate in funding applications to support the technical assistance centers and other statewide indigenous education efforts;

(6)     collaboration with institutions serving American Indian students, including school districts, charter schools, early childhood centers and programs, bureau of Indian education schools and public and tribal higher education institutions; and

(7)     additional responsibilities or duties related to American Indian education or vocational support determined by consultation among the various stakeholders.

B. Two American Indian education technical assistance centers in geographically distinct regions of the state shall serve all American Indian students and federally recognized Indian nations, tribes and pueblos located wholly or partially in New Mexico. The higher education department shall seek tribal input and feedback from the public education department and the early childhood education and care department for the preparation of a request for proposals to operate a center and provide the services specified in the request for proposals, including the:

(1)     types of technical assistance provided to institutions serving American Indian students, including school districts, charter schools, early childhood centers, homes and programs, bureau of Indian education schools, public and tribal higher education institutions, tribally operated departments and tribal governments; and

(2)     partnerships the centers propose to develop, including with state agencies, school districts, charter schools, early education centers, homes and programs, bureau of Indian education schools, federally recognized Indian nations, tribes and pueblos and public and tribal higher education institutions.

C. The higher education department’s request for proposals shall prioritize applications from tribal colleges and universities in New Mexico, American Indian programs at New Mexico public higher education institutions and tribally controlled institutions and entities with demonstrated experience and knowledge of working with American Indian students and federally recognized Indian nations, tribes and pueblos located wholly or partially in New Mexico and include how a center is expected to:

(1)     set goals, objectives and benchmarks;

(2)     provide annual reports on the progress and status of projects undertaken to be made available to the higher education department, which will then distribute the reports to appropriate agencies, the governor’s office and the legislature; and

(3)     report contracting and financial accounting information to the department in the form required by the higher education department.