45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

REQUESTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MODEL FOR THE RECRUITMENT, PREPARATION, MENTORING, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND RETENTION OF TEACHERS WITH THE INTENT OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF TEACHERS AND THE EDUCATION SYSTEM AND ADDRESSING THE CURRENT TEACHER SHORTAGE.

WHEREAS, current research demonstrates that teacher quality is one of the most significant factors affecting student achievement; and

WHEREAS, all of New Mexico's children can achieve high standards if they have access to a high-quality education system; and

WHEREAS, a high-quality teacher in every classroom is a central strategy for improving student performance in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, national research predicts that approximately two million new teachers will be needed in public school classrooms over the next ten years; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico faces the same critical issue of teacher shortages in its teaching force, predicting that approximately eighteen thousand new teachers will be needed over the next ten years; and

WHEREAS, solving the issues of developing and maintaining an adequate supply of high-quality teachers requires a well-planned, multi-year and multi-phased effort on the part of all the stakeholders;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state department of public education, in cooperation with additional organizations that are currently focusing on teacher quality, be requested to create a model for the recruitment, preparation, mentoring, professional development and retention of teachers with the intent of improving the quality of teachers and the education system and addressing the current teacher shortage; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the model provide guidelines for seeking federal funding for the recruitment, preparation, mentoring, professional development and retention of teachers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a report of the findings and recommendations of this study be provided to the legislative education study committee by November 1, 2002; and

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