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

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO APPOINT A TASK FORCE OF EDUCATION EXPERTS TO REVIEW AND RECODIFY THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE.

WHEREAS, the legislature of the state of New Mexico is resolved to improve lifelong learning and to provide the children of this state with a quality education so that they may be prepared for higher education and productive careers and to be productive citizens of this state; and

WHEREAS, the legislature's overarching goal is to increase student achievement and to ensure that all students achieve at their full potential so that they will be able to compete in post-secondary education and in the world market; and

WHEREAS, educators and educational and business organizations have informed the legislature that the Public School Code impedes innovation in education and hinders the implementation of educational initiatives that have the potential of improving our current educational system; and

WHEREAS, the legislature believes that all students must be provided the opportunity to graduate from high school and be prepared for higher education and productive careers; and

WHEREAS, in order for all students to graduate from high school and be prepared for higher education and productive careers, it is imperative that the Public School Code be assessed in light of reform initiatives, such as accountability, full-day kindergarten and the statewide reading initiative, which have been implemented by the legislature;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council appoint a task force of education experts to identify any statutes that may impede innovation and the overarching goal of improving student achievement and to make recommendations to recodify the Public School Code to enable the progress of public schools and the achievement of students; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislative council consider involving the state board of education, the state department of public education, the commission on higher education, public school personnel, educational and business organizations and other interested parties in gathering input regarding the Public School Code and recommendations regarding recodification of the Public School Code to enhance the progress of schools and the achievement of students; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff of the legislative education study committee and the state department of public education assist the legislative council service in staffing this task force; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force of educational experts report to the legislature regarding its recommendations for recodifying the Public School Code prior to the first session of the forty-sixth legislature; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council, the director of the legislative education study committee and the superintendent of public instruction.