SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 29

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

INTRODUCED BY

Cynthia Nava

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO WORK TO CREATE A CULTURE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT AND STATEWIDE THAT EMBRACES A KINDERGARTEN-THROUGH-COLLEGE APPROACH TO PUBLIC EDUCATION AND TO SHIFT THE FOCUS FROM GRADUATING STUDENTS FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO GRADUATING STUDENTS FROM POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

     WHEREAS, post-secondary education is no longer a goal for only an elite group of students who will attend a college or university; and

     WHEREAS, qualifying for most jobs in today's economy requires some type of training at the post-secondary level; and     WHEREAS, currently almost all students who graduate from high school eventually attend or participate in some form of post-secondary education; and

     WHEREAS, many disconnects currently exist that complicate student transitions between high schools and post-secondary educational institutions; and

     WHEREAS, these disconnects contribute to inequalities among those who are able to attend and graduate from post-secondary educational institutions; and

     WHEREAS, a logical continuum of services that extends through all levels of the education system, including elementary, secondary and post-secondary, would facilitate the transition from one level to the next; and

     WHEREAS, creating stronger connections between kindergarten-through-grade-twelve and post-secondary systems can increase students' participation in, and readiness for, post-secondary education;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public education department be requested to work to create a culture in the department and statewide that embraces a kindergarten-through-college approach to public education rather than the current kindergarten-through-grade-twelve approach, thereby shifting the focus from graduating students from high school to graduating students from post-secondary educational institutions; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public education department work to create incentives, opportunities and venues for kindergarten-through-grade-twelve and post-secondary education collaboration; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public education department be requested to report yearly to the legislative education study committee on the progress of its efforts to establish and support kindergarten-through-college connections; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the public education department and the legislative education study committee.

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