HOUSE MEMORIAL 43

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Hector H. Balderas

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT A LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE STUDY AND RECOMMEND DEFINITIONS AND POLICY REGARDING VIRTUAL SCHOOLS.

     WHEREAS, virtual schools are accredited school programs offered over the internet or by other electronic or digital media; and

     WHEREAS, virtual schools, while being an alternative or supplement to the traditional brick and mortar educational format, often provide the only effective and efficient educational format for students with disabilities and some rural students; and

     WHEREAS, the number of virtual schools is increasing nationwide, as is the number of course and program offerings by virtual schools; and

     WHEREAS, as the concept of virtual schools begins to take hold in the public education system, issues involving the incorporation of virtual schools have arisen, including compulsory attendance laws, who is eligible for virtual schools, funding, staffing, connectivity, uniformity of class material and terminology; and

     WHEREAS, issues involving virtual schools must be deliberated and decided so that virtual schools can become an effective and efficient adjunct to the current educational model and, in the process, create a new model that will improve the educational opportunities for all of New Mexico's students;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative education study committee be requested to study and make recommendations for defining terminology and creating policy regarding virtual schools in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the chair of the legislative education study committee.

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