SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 37

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

INTRODUCED BY

Cynthia Nava

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE AND THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO STUDY THE PROVISION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DELAYED CHILDREN AND EVALUATE HOW WELL THESE PROGRAMS COORDINATE WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

     WHEREAS, the state provides early childhood educational services for three- and four-year-old developmentally delayed children; and

     WHEREAS, developmentally delayed children are identified and eligible to receive speech and language and other services in publicly funded state programs; and

     WHEREAS, a number of children identified for early intervention services are transitioned into special education programs in public school; and

     WHEREAS, many children who have speech and language challenges are provided targeted interventions to remediate these challenges, but it is not well understood how many of these children do not need further services in public schools;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative education study committee and the public education department be requested to conduct a study to:

          A. determine the current status of the early identification of young children for early childhood education programs and the continuum of special education services in the state;

          B. identify research-based strategies that are having a positive impact on enrolled students;

          C. examine guidelines and current practices regarding placement in least restrictive environments in the pre-kindergarten setting;

          D. examine how data that relate to the number of students referred to special education in public school from early childhood speech and language programs are collected, analyzed and reported; and

          E. make recommendations on the best approach to ensuring that students do not stay in the system longer than necessary; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative education study committee and the public education department shall report their findings and recommendations by November 30, 2011; and

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

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