USE OF LANGUAGE FOR BILINGUAL EDUCATION

HB 488 requires New Mexico's public schools to use students' home or heritage language as the primary medium of instruction in bilingual education programs for grades K-12, with priority for kindergarten through third grade. The bill mandates that programs must develop both English and home language proficiency, use home language for curriculum portions where needed, and include parent committees representing students' cultures. It directly affects linguistically diverse students, including Native American children, by changing eligibility requirements for state funding. The policy shifts program design to center home languages while building English skills, as specified in amended Section 22-23-6 of the state education code.