SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 19

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Phil A. Griego

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE TO STUDY TEACHER ATTENDANCE AND THE USE OF SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

     WHEREAS, the legislative and the executive branches have made a commitment to public school reform by, for example, eliminating most social promotion; requiring more formalized assistance for students who are failing; increasing grade-level and graduation requirements; and instituting the three-tier licensure system for teachers and school administrators to raise teacher qualifications and salaries; and

     WHEREAS, teachers and schools are now held accountable for student achievement; and

     WHEREAS, the state expects teachers to improve their teaching skills through professional development; however, because most teacher contracts have not been extended beyond the instructional year, professional development often causes teacher absences from the classroom; and

     WHEREAS, studies show that students who have teachers with fewer absences have significantly larger improvements in test scores and other achievement indicators; and

     WHEREAS, the use of substitute teachers is disruptive to students and, over time, can affect the academic structure of a class, compromise the teacher's role as an educational leader in the classroom and impede students' educational development; and

     WHEREAS, substitute teachers may have no knowledge of the subject matter being taught in the classroom in which they are substituting or may be unable to correctly follow or interpret the lesson plans left by the absent teacher; and

     WHEREAS, the pressures of the state's accountability system and the requirements for adequate yearly progress make untenable the use of substitutes who end up serving merely as an adult presence in the classroom; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's requirements for substitute teacher certification are less than rigorous, but, even so, school districts often find it difficult to attract and retain an adequate pool of substitute teachers; and

     WHEREAS, it is difficult to attract and retain knowledgeable substitute teachers when pay is low and benefits are nonexistent; and

     WHEREAS, the use of substitute teachers has budgetary implications, and an unanticipated need for substitute teachers can adversely affect a school district's budget;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative education study committee be requested to study the issue of substitute teachers, including qualifications, availability, salary and benefits, frequency of use across the state, length of duty and parental notification; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee study options for keeping teachers in the classroom during student attendance hours and improving teacher attendance in order to improve student achievement; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the legislative education study committee.

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