SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 47

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

INTRODUCED BY

Cynthia Nava

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE ENLACE IN NEW MEXICO PROGRAM BE INCLUDED IN

THE MEMBERSHIP OF COMMUNITY INPUT BODIES ESTABLISHED BY THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's Latino students and communities contribute to the multicultural heritage of the state, representing significant promise for the economic future of the state with improved educational attainment; and

     WHEREAS, data from the public education department, the commission on higher education and the national center for education statistics illustrate a significant achievement gap between Latino students and other student groups in New Mexico public schools; and

     WHEREAS, this achievement gap results in considerable economic and social costs to New Mexico as a result of the high Latino student dropout rates and low graduation rates that limit opportunities for future educational participation and economic success; and

     WHEREAS, ENLACE in New Mexico, engaging Latino communities for education, was established with the assistance of a grant awarded by the W. K. Kellogg foundation as part of a national initiative to improve the educational participation and graduation rates of Latino students through enhanced community involvement; and

     WHEREAS, ENLACE in New Mexico has created a framework for success that outlines effective educational methods in classes, schools and communities where Latino students are succeeding in their educational endeavors and increasing educational success; and

     WHEREAS, state law requires the public education department to collaborate with the commission on higher education in aligning high school curricula and end-of-course tests with the placement tests administered by two- and four-year public institutions of higher education in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the public education department seeks to close the achievement gap through a variety of strategies, programs and activities, many of which include the establishment of community input entities such as local and statewide task forces, councils and advisory bodies;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the ENLACE in New Mexico program be accorded representation on public education department task forces, councils and advisory groups that are established in order to participate fully in the public education department's decision-making and program implementation process and to contribute to increasing educational attainment and eliminating the achievement gap among all of New Mexico's students; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public education department report on its inclusion of ENLACE in New Mexico representatives to the legislative education study committee by November 1, 2004; and

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

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