HOUSE MEMORIAL 24

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2021

INTRODUCED BY

Rebecca Dow

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO STUDY AND DEVELOP A NEW AT-RISK INDEX FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA.

     WHEREAS, the at-risk index is a critical component of the state equalization guarantee distribution; and

     WHEREAS, the at-risk index is meant to target funds toward the education of the most vulnerable students; and

     WHEREAS, the at-risk index is currently calculated at the school district level and does not account for the wide intra-district variances in demographics and enrollment at the public school level; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature has prioritized at-risk students by tripling the at-risk factor over the last three years, but there is no way to ensure that the at-risk funds are being delivered to the public schools that the intended beneficiaries attend;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public education department, with the assistance of outside experts, be requested to study and develop a new at-risk index in the public school funding formula that provides for its calculation at the public school level and takes into account demographic data for subgroups associated with the district court's ruling in Martinez and Yazzie v. State of New Mexico; and

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

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