SENATE MEMORIAL 86

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

INTRODUCED BY

Michael S. Sanchez

A MEMORIAL

ENCOURAGING THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH AND PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR SCHOOLWIDE POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

     WHEREAS, every child comes to school with different strengths, interests and needs; and

     WHEREAS, the success of every student should be the goal of everyone in the public school system; and

     WHEREAS, supporting optimal student outcomes should be the focus of teachers, school leaders and parents; and

     WHEREAS, evidence-based schoolwide positive behavior intervention support systems improve student outcomes and student engagement; and

     WHEREAS, public schools that implement schoolwide positive behavior intervention support systems have teaching and learning environments that are less reactive, dangerous and exclusionary and more engaging, responsive and productive; and

     WHEREAS, public schools that implement schoolwide positive behavior intervention support systems improve interactions with students whose behaviors require more specialized assistance; and

     WHEREAS, one middle school in the state that implemented schoolwide positive behavior intervention support systems experienced a fifty percent reduction in office referrals over a three-year period and an increase by fifty percent of students who had a 3.5 or higher grade point average;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public education department be encouraged to establish schoolwide positive behavior intervention support systems in public schools; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public education department be encouraged to provide professional development to teachers and principals to optimally implement schoolwide positive behavior intervention support systems in public schools; and

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

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