SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 25

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

INTRODUCED BY

Mark Boitano

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF CHARTER SCHOOL INNOVATIONS AND PROVIDE A REPORT ON SUCH INNOVATIONS.

     WHEREAS, the statutory purpose of charter schools is to encourage innovative curricula, teaching methods and forms of student learning; and

     WHEREAS, the purpose of charter schools is also to encourage innovative forms of measuring student achievement; and

     WHEREAS, the purpose of charter schools includes addressing the needs of students determined to be at-risk while creating new professional opportunities for teachers; and

     WHEREAS, the purpose of charter schools includes providing parents and students with an educational alternative within the public school system; and

     WHEREAS, charter schools have been designed to encourage governance innovation and parental and community involvement in the public school system; to develop and use site-based budgeting; and to be held accountable for meeting and exceeding public education department minimum educational standards and fiscal requirements; and

     WHEREAS, charter schools in New Mexico have now had a period of years in which to test new ideas and methods in these and other areas;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public education department be requested to conduct a study of charter school innovations and report to the legislative education study committee, the state school boards association and the state superintendents association on such innovations; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of public education.

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