SENATE MEMORIAL 85

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

Michael S. Sanchez

A MEMORIAL

ENCOURAGING LICENSURE AND EVALUATION PRACTICES THAT ENSURE HIGHLY QUALIFIED PUBLIC SCHOOL LEADERS.

     WHEREAS, good schools are led by good leaders, individuals who can ensure that highly complex educational environments operate smoothly; and

     WHEREAS, school leaders are charged with maintaining children's learning environments as safe, cohesive systems conducive to students' educational and social development; and

     WHEREAS, school leaders must be skilled in engaging staff, students and families to achieve institutional goals and priorities; and

     WHEREAS, school leaders must serve as informed intermediaries among school districts, teachers, parents and students; and

     WHEREAS, school leaders must be effective managers who maximize the potential of students and teachers; and

     WHEREAS, school leaders are charged with tracking educational best practices to optimize teacher and student performance; and

     WHEREAS, school leaders must be knowledgeable about administrative best practices to ensure the satisfactory operation of public schools; and

     WHEREAS, school leaders who have the skills to accomplish these many tasks are necessarily highly trained and highly qualified individuals; and

     WHEREAS, ascertaining who those individuals are with the high qualifications needed to accomplish effective school leadership requires that school districts set high standards in licensing and evaluating potential school leaders;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public education department be encouraged to evaluate school leaders using a highly objective uniform state standard of evaluation; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public education department be encouraged to include feedback from families as one of the criterion for the evaluation of school leaders; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public education department be encouraged to include in school leader evaluation criteria measurements of:

          A. the ability to understand and implement schoolwide positive behavior intervention and supports;

          B. the ability to listen to stakeholders and build and lead teams to improve public schools;

          C. the ability to plan and use data for the continuous improvement of the public school;

          D. competency according to all applicable laws and national standards;

          E. supervisory, management and fiscal skills;

          F. having a vision to create a positive school environment that supports student success and facilitates quality instruction;

          G. ethics in leadership practices to set a tone for excellence at the public school; and

          H. a working knowledge of applicable state and federal laws; and

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

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