44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2000

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION TO ASSESS THE COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAW AND RECOMMEND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EDUCATION INITIATIVES AND ACCOUNTABILITY TASK FORCE.

WHEREAS, the Compulsory School Attendance Law was enacted in 1967 for conditions existing then, but in the thirty intervening years, conditions have changed and a different set of problems faces educators and educational institutions; and

WHEREAS, truancy has a detrimental impact on the educational experience, and legal decisions about student conduct and discipline in the schools present new dilemmas for teachers and their institutions; and

WHEREAS, the mechanics of implementing the Compulsory School Attendance Law are fraught with limitations;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative education study committee and the state department of public education be requested to cooperate in an assessment of the effectiveness and the efficacy of the Compulsory School Attendance Law and recommend changes in the law to the education initiatives and accountability task force by November 2000; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the members of the legislative education study committee and the superintendent of public instruction.