REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE, IN COOPERATION WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION, TO STUDY THE EFFECTS OF EXTENDED DAYS AND AN EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR ON THE ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF NEW MEXICO'S PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN AND THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHERS.

WHEREAS, research indicates that continual, comprehensive and uninterrupted time spent on instruction by certified school instructors is a major influence on student academic success; and

WHEREAS, current statute, Section 22-8-9 NMSA 1978, requires that no budget for a school district shall be approved by the state department of public education that does not provide for a school year consisting of at least one hundred eighty full instructional days or the equivalent; and

WHEREAS, current statute, Section 22-2-8.1 NMSA 1978, establishes the minimum school day lengths for kindergarten and grades one through twelve; and

WHEREAS, there is a perception by the public that some school districts may not be providing the statutory mandate of one hundred eighty days of instruction; and

WHEREAS, maximizing and strengthening direct student instruction and learning by well-qualified teachers is essential to increasing student achievement;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative education study committee, in cooperation with the state department of public education, study the effects of extended days and an extended school year on the academic success of New Mexico's public school children and the professional development of teachers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study examine how the mandates of one hundred eighty instructional days and the length of the school day are currently implemented by New Mexico school districts and examine instructional time on task and time for teacher collaboration for school planning and improvement of instruction; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study include a review of successful national practices with regard to the feasibility of extending the school day and school year for New Mexico public schools; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the findings and recommendations be presented to the appropriate legislative interim committee by November 2000; and

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