45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING STATEWIDE ANTI-BULLYING PROGRAMS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WHEREAS, New Mexico faces a challenge in its public schools with the problem of some students engaging in bullying behavior in written, verbal or physical actions toward other students, which when left uncorrected diminishes the sense of self-worth of the student being harassed, intimidated or physically threatened or assaulted; and

WHEREAS, research shows that bullying behavior contributes to a culture of fear in the school where the behavior occurs, affects the achievement of students and increases absenteeism, which can lead to students ultimately dropping out of school; and

WHEREAS, guidelines prohibiting bullying, harassment or intimidation by any student need to be developed for school personnel in dealing with this problem; and

WHEREAS, technical assistance to teachers and other school personnel is necessary to provide effective intervention strategies that will reduce and, if possible, eliminate bullying behavior and provide a safe learning environment for all students; and

WHEREAS, school-wide programs that provide methods for teachers to intervene and prevent bullying and violent acts among students and teach students respect and tolerance toward each other will enhance positive relationships among students and school personnel;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state board of education be requested to study the feasibility of implementing anti-bullying policies and programs in the public schools and developing school-wide programs that intervene and prevent incidents of bullying, harassment and intimidation among students; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state board of education review its disciplinary methods for resolving bullying behavior so that suspension is established as the last resort used in a progressive disciplinary approach; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state board of education report its findings and recommendations to the legislative education study committee by October 1, 2002; and

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