SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 52

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Cynthia Nava

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO COLLABORATE WITH OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES IN EXPLORING OPTIONS TO SUPPORT MORE TEACHERS IN GETTING CERTIFIED BY THE NATIONAL BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL TEACHING STANDARDS.

     WHEREAS, research shows that the national board for professional teaching standards improves teaching and student learning and that national board-certified teachers are highly accomplished educators who meet high and rigorous standards; and

     WHEREAS, in a congressionally mandated study by the national research council of the national academies, national board certification was recently recognized as having a positive impact on student achievement, teacher retention and professional development; and

     WHEREAS, according to the report, Assessing Accomplished Teaching: Advanced-Level Certification Programs, the standards and certification process of the national board for professional teaching standards have taken the culture of teaching to a higher level by creating national standards for the profession; and

     WHEREAS, the national research council of the national academies found that students taught by board-certified teachers make higher gains on achievement tests than those taught by teachers who have not applied for and those who did not achieve certification; and

     WHEREAS, the president of the national board for professional teaching standards noted that "working together, we can provide support for national board certified teachers to become leaders in schools, reach more high-need schools, forge closer relationships with school and district leaders and become agents of positive change";

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public education department, in collaboration with the higher education department, school district and charter school leaders, New Mexico colleges of education faculty, professional development providers and New Mexico board-certified teachers, explore options to support more teachers in getting their national board for professional teaching standards certification; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department and its study partners consider options for incentives to encourage board-certified teachers to teach in underperforming schools, including providing state support for teachers in securing board certification; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department report its findings and recommendations to the legislative education study committee by November 15, 2010; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretaries of public education and higher education for appropriate distribution and to the director of the legislative education study committee.

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