REQUESTING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION TO ASSESS AND EVALUATE LANGUAGE IMMERSION MODELS, ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE MODELS, DUAL LANGUAGE MODELS AND CURRENT BILINGUAL PROGRAMS AND REPORT ITS FINDINGS TO THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

WHEREAS, the legislature desires for students in the state to achieve multilingual proficiency by becoming proficient in English and other languages; and

WHEREAS, the legislature recognizes that there are numerous language immersion models, English as a second language models, dual language models and bilingual programs; and

WHEREAS, the legislature also recognizes that the local school districts may not be proficient in the various language immersion models, dual language models, English as a second language models and bilingual programs with respect to student proficiencies in core curriculum; and

WHEREAS, in order to provide students with the opportunity to become multilingually proficient, the local school districts need to be aware of the various language immersion models, English as a second language models, dual language models and bilingual programs;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state department of public education be requested to assess and evaluate language immersion models, dual language models, English as a second language models and current bilingual programs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state department of public education report its findings to the superintendents of the local school districts for appropriate distribution to the local schools; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the superintendent of public instruction and the various local school superintendents.