HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 39

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Sheryl Williams Stapleton

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING A STUDY OF CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

     WHEREAS, in 1974, the Public School Finance Act included a separate cost differential for vocational education; and

     WHEREAS, in 1976, this separate cost differential for vocational education was amended out of the Public School Finance Act and thereafter accounted for by an increase in the cost differential for grades seven through twelve; and

     WHEREAS, in 1986, the Public School Reform Act increased graduation requirements and reduced the number of electives students could count toward graduation; and

     WHEREAS, since that time, high school student enrollment in career technical education classes has steadily declined; and

     WHEREAS, studies indicate that the nature of work in the twenty-first century will be altered by technological changes, demographic shifts and globalization; and

     WHEREAS, studies also indicate that many of the jobs being created in the economy require highly specific technical knowledge; and

     WHEREAS, the economic development of New Mexico is linked to the existence of a highly trained work force; and

     WHEREAS, state law now requires students to develop a next-step plan for transition from high school to higher education, a trade or vocational program, military service or a job, and for promotion to each successive grade and for graduation; and

     WHEREAS, persons who lack appropriate education or skills training in high school often face an uncertain economic future of low paying jobs or unemployment, which may result in increased burdens being placed on publicly subsidized services such as welfare, health care and correctional facilities; and

     WHEREAS, school districts are not likely to offer a wide array of career technical education courses without incentives related to funding or meeting graduation requirements;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public education department, in cooperation with the legislative education study committee and school district personnel, be requested to study the feasibility of including a weighting factor for career technical education in the public school funding formula; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study include options to increase student enrollment in career technical education programs without increasing funding requirements, such as awarding credit for certain graduation requirements through completion of career technical education courses; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study include a comprehensive review of additional capital expenditures in the form of additional facilities or specialized equipment or materials required to support career technical education curriculum in schools statewide; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public education department report its findings and recommendations for changes to the public school funding formula to the legislative education study committee by November 2004; and

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

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