46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003
REQUESTING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THE LABOR DEPARTMENT TO COLLABORATE ON DEVELOPING A WORKPLACE LITERACY PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, the state board of education has recognized that "literacy is a national priority and must become the priority of all New Mexico citizens, parents and educators" and that "literacy impacts every person's future success and his or her ability to function academically, in the world of work and as an effective citizen"; and
WHEREAS, studies confirm that the better educated a person is, the less likely that person will become a recipient of welfare; and
WHEREAS, more than two hundred thirty thousand adults in New Mexico do not have a high school diploma or a general equivalency degree and more than one hundred sixty thousand adults in New Mexico do not speak English with the ability to be understood, according to United States census data; and
WHEREAS, adult basic education programs currently serve more than thirty thousand students in New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, the national adult literacy survey found that a person's potential earnings decrease as literacy levels decrease; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico does not have a statewide workplace literacy program;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state department of public education and the labor department be requested to collaborate on developing a workplace literacy program and a plan to deploy the program during fiscal year 2005; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state department of public education and the labor department be requested to involve adult basic education providers, the human services department, business and industry representatives, the commission on higher education, the economic development department and literacy experts in developing the program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state department of public education and the labor department be requested to present the plan to the legislative education study committee no later than December 1, 2003; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the superintendent of public instruction and the secretary of labor.