HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 36

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Karen E. Giannini

A JOINT MEMORIAL

HONORING PARENTS AND EDUCATORS OF GIFTED CHILDREN AND DECLARING FEBRUARY 11, 2010 "GIFTED EDUCATION DAY AT THE LEGISLATURE".

     WHEREAS, there are many gifted children in New Mexico who demonstrate outstanding performance in the areas of intelligence, achievement, creativity and critical thinking; and

     WHEREAS, Section 22-13-6.1 NMSA 1978 requires the public education department to make a determination of who is a gifted child and to establish standards to address gifted children; and

     WHEREAS, these standards have been established in regulations defining specific parameters of giftedness in the areas of intellectual ability, subject matter aptitude, creative or divergent thinking and problem-solving or critical thinking, all of which are found to be exceptional in a gifted child; and

     WHEREAS, the concept of "gifted" has been included in special education in New Mexico since 1972; and

     WHEREAS, through the years, numerous bills and memorials have been introduced to enhance the educational environment for gifted children in New Mexico, resulting in steady progress in the nature and character of special education and standard programming for students identified as gifted; and

     WHEREAS, in 1972, the United States congress affirmed in P.L. 95-561, Title IX, Part A, Section 901 that the nation's greatest resource for solving critical national problems in areas of national concern is its gifted and talented children, and the congress exhorted the nation to give special attention to developing the abilities of gifted and talented children to ensure that their special potential for assisting the nation is not lost; and

     WHEREAS, in August 2008, the public education department released the Technical Assistance for Gifted Education manual, a resource guide to all educators developed by a dedicated group of individuals, including university professors, teachers of gifted children, program coordinators and school liaisons for the gifted and talented; and

     WHEREAS, all students, including gifted students in New Mexico, are deserving of an appropriate educational experience that matches their abilities and potential in an environment where intellectual challenge and growth is supported; and

     WHEREAS, a broad coalition of the public education department, teachers, parents and community members has been working diligently to ensure that legislative and regulatory activities continue to support the development of an educational structure that will allow gifted children to meet their full potential in the public school setting; and

     WHEREAS, the efforts, diligence and commitment of these dedicated individuals is worthy of the recognition of the legislature;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that parents and educators of gifted children be honored, and that February 11, 2010 be declared "Gifted Education Day at the Legislature"; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of public education, the New Mexico association for the gifted, the Albuquerque association for gifted and talented students, the parent association for gifted education, the Roswell association for gifted students, the Hispano chamber of commerce and the advancing African American achievement organization.

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