HOUSE MEMORIAL 32

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2022

INTRODUCED BY

Pamelya Herndon and Christine Trujillo

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION, THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION-NEW MEXICO AND CERTAIN EDUCATORS, TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO ENHANCE TEACHING OF MULTICULTURAL HISTORICAL EVENTS.

 

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is a multicultural state that is rich with history; and

     WHEREAS, effective school leadership includes providing a learning environment that enhances a student's learning of the many diverse cultures that permeate New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, there are a number of incidents that occur within the state where victims are targeted because of their religion, ethnic origin or race; and

     WHEREAS, classroom teachers are in the best position to help students address and understand issues that arise out of hatred, bigotry and intolerance; and

     WHEREAS, classroom teachers are looking for ways to appropriately teach lessons that delve into human behavior and examine basic human issues; and

     WHEREAS, advancing student learning and equitable outcomes requires educational leaders to have standards to guide their preparation for developing and expanding their skills, as well as a foundational knowledge of historical events and a comprehensive understanding of the awareness of the complexity of these historical events that could result in improvements in a climate of understanding, tolerance and appreciation of various cultures;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative education study committee, in collaboration with the public education department, the department of finance and administration and the national education association-New Mexico, be requested to convene a task force, including educators chosen by the task force, to develop a comprehensive plan to enhance teaching of multicultural historical events; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to develop standards on teaching courses that involve human rights issues with particular attention to the study of genocide, slavery and the Holocaust; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to include in the comprehensive plan recommendations on how to incorporate the standards developed into existing courses currently in middle school and high school curricula; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to design instructional materials that:

          A. prepare students to confront and understand acts of mass violence and to reflect on the causes of related historical events;

          B. develop students' respect for cultural diversity and help students gain insight into the importance of the protection of international human rights for all people;

          C. communicate the impact of personal responsibility, civic engagement and societal responses;

          D. stimulate students' reflection on the roles and responsibilities of citizens in democratic societies to combat misinformation, indifference and discrimination through development of critical thinking skills and through tools of resistance such as the historical use of protest, petition, reform and celebration;

          E. provide students with opportunities to put into context and analyze patterns of human behavior by individuals and groups;

          F. enable students to understand the ramifications of prejudice, racism and stereotyping;

          G. provide students with a foundation for examining the history of discrimination in New Mexico; and

          H. explore the various mechanisms of transitional and restorative justice that help humanity move forward in the aftermath of genocide; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that school entities be encouraged to use any appropriate public or private materials, personnel and other resources in developing and implementing the program of instruction; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that up to ten schools from throughout New Mexico be requested to participate in a pilot program to determine the effectiveness of the teaching methods used in implementing the recommendations of the task force; and      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the task force be requested to include Holocaust and social justice education leaders from New Mexico to work with trainers from the echoes and reflections organization; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the task force be requested to provide options to design the pilot program and to oversee its implementation and effectiveness in the pilot classrooms; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative education study committee be requested to report task force findings, recommendations and pilot program options by December 31, 2022; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the chair of the legislative education study committee, the secretary of public education, the secretary of finance and administration and the president of the national education association-New Mexico.

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