SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 74

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Cynthia Nava

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO ADDRESS ISSUES THAT IMPEDE THE FULL DEVELOPMENT OF A DUAL CREDIT PROGRAM IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, an effective secondary and post-secondary dual credit program can benefit high school students by offering advanced educational options, saving time and money, creating enrichment opportunities and engaging students; and

     WHEREAS, an effective dual credit program would create closer ties and collaborations between colleges and their communities; and

     WHEREAS, problems have arisen from New Mexico's dual credit program, presently known as the "Concurrent Enrollment Program", relating to program definition and full and consistent implementation of the program; and

     WHEREAS, successful dual credit programs in other states have addressed barriers to the programs by ensuring that students pay minimal or no tuition and fees, that both secondary and post-secondary credit is earned for post-secondary courses, that few course restrictions exist and that information about the availability and requirements of the program are well-known by students, parents, school districts, colleges and policymakers; and

     WHEREAS, presently, the dual credit program is inconsistently implemented in areas such as the transfer of tuition and fees and the receipt of high school credit for post-secondary coursework; and

     WHEREAS, it is difficult to assess the program's effectiveness due to unclear definitions of the program, incompatible databases at the commission on higher education and public education department and lack of clear data on student participation and success;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the commission on higher education be requested to coordinate efforts with the public education department and representatives from colleges and public schools to conduct a study to examine the problems in implementation of the dual credit program and address issues relating to compliance, communication and oversight of the program; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission on higher education and the public education department make recommendations for any change in laws, policies or regulations in order to ensure successful implementation of the dual credit program and to remove barriers, create opportunities, ensure accountability and assess student participation and success; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission on higher education and the public education department report the results of their study and make their recommendations to the legislative education study committee no later than November 15, 2004; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the commission on higher education, the secretary of public education and the legislative education study committee.

- 3 -