SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 51

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Cynthia Nava

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO STUDY THE BENEFITS OF IMPLEMENTING A SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM WITH ACADEMIC CREDIT.

     WHEREAS, service learning has been defined as an instructional method that lends relevance to academic content by engaging students in meaningful service that is linked to curriculum; and

     WHEREAS, the benefits of service learning include a positive impact on the personal development of public school students, reduced risk of potentially negative behavior, enhanced civic responsibility and citizenship skills, better attendance and increased engagement in academic studies; and

     WHEREAS, service learning activities may occur during or after school, and there may be benefits to allowing students in the eighth grade to begin service learning before their freshman year; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico and New Mexico high school students might realize some of the benefits of service learning through the introduction of a structured service learning program with academic credit;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public education department and the children, youth and families department be requested to study the benefits of implementing a service learning program that grants academic credit to high school students and students in the eighth grade entering high school; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the departments be requested to report their findings and recommendations, if any, to the legislative education study committee prior to the second session of the forty-eighth legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretaries of public education and children, youth and families and the director of the legislative education study committee.

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