NM HM53

Requests the New Mexico Public Education Department to study creating a "gifted in-field" endorsement for secondary school gifted education teachers who have advanced content knowledge in specific subject areas

Requires collaboration with public post-secondary educational institutions and gifted education organizations to identify courses and criteria for establishing the endorsement

Addresses a current shortage of gifted education teachers, which has led to special education teachers without gifted endorsements teaching gifted classes

Recognizes that secondary gifted students have different needs than elementary gifted students, requiring teachers with both subject-matter expertise and knowledge of gifted learner needs

Directs the department to evaluate criteria for determining necessary expertise levels across various subject areas to build a qualified gifted in-field teacher workforce