HOUSE MEMORIAL 22

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Debra M. Sariñana and Eliseo Lee Alcon and Harry Garcia and Alan T. Martinez and Harold Pope

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ASSESS THE PROGRESS OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE PURPLE STAR PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROGRAM AND REPORT ON THE STATUS AND EFFECTIVENESS WHERE THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN NEW MEXICO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

     WHEREAS, the children of military families serving in the state are highly valued and deeply respected by the people of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, in 2021, the legislature passed, and the governor signed, a law directing the public education department to develop a "purple star public schools program" to provide a mechanism for public schools to ease the transition of students of military families into new schools by providing academic, social and emotional support to those students; and

     WHEREAS, the public education department was further directed to develop a related program for public schools not located near a military installation and for those schools that want to recognize and celebrate military service and the accomplishments of active military and veterans; and

     WHEREAS, questions have arisen about the progress and implementation of the program as directed by the 2021 law; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature, the bill's sponsors, community advocates and military families with children in public schools in New Mexico seek answers to those questions;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public education department be requested to assess and report the status, oversight, implementation and effectiveness of the purple star public schools program in New Mexico public schools to the legislative education study committee by November 1, 2023; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of public education, the chair and vice chair of the military and veterans' affairs committee and the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council for distribution to the appropriate interim committees.

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