46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

SUPPORTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ALIGNING A UNIVERSAL SYSTEM OF PRESCHOOL EDUCATION FOR THREE- AND FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN STATEWIDE WITH HEAD START PROGRAMS.

WHEREAS, the head start program began in 1965 as a federal program to prepare children from low-income backgrounds for academic success through skills development and human services; and

WHEREAS, head start has served millions of children and currently more than nine hundred thousand children each year participate in head start programs across the country; and

WHEREAS, the head start program has proven to be an effective means of reaching thousands of low-income New Mexico families in need of health and educational services;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative education study committee conduct a study during the 2003 interim to determine how early care education programs could be aligned to establish a universal system of preschool education for three- and four-year-old children, including how the head start program could be effectively placed under the auspices of the state board of education and the state department of public education; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the president of the state board of education, the superintendent of public instruction, the chair of the legislative education study committee and the governor.