REQUESTING THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH STATEWIDE STANDARDS FOR THE LEVEL OF COLLEGE CREDIT RECEIVED BY STUDENTS WHO PERFORM AT AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL ON THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMS.

WHEREAS, the advanced placement courses are offered in more than one-half of the nation's high schools, but with fewer than fifty percent of New Mexico's high schools participating; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico is the lowest ranked state for advanced placement participation in the southwestern region that includes Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas; and

WHEREAS, advanced placement courses can lower college costs for students through college credit recognition for advanced test scores; and

WHEREAS, advanced placement raises academic standards by offering rigorous courses and tests; and

WHEREAS, the advanced placement New Mexico program allows for eligible students enrolled in advanced placement courses to receive test fee reduction benefits; and

WHEREAS, the advanced placement New Mexico program increases public outreach and training for high school teachers, counselors and administrators in curriculum and material development; and

WHEREAS, the advanced placement New Mexico program has helped to increase the number of students taking and passing advanced placement courses and tests, as well as increasing the number of courses offered;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state department of public education and the commission on higher education make recommendations to the second session of the forty-fourth legislature on how to expand the advanced placement program so that it will be available to students and staff in every public school district; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state department of public education and the commission on higher education, including representatives of the state's public schools and post-secondary educational institutions, be requested to work collaboratively through the interim, reporting at the beginning of the second session of the forty-fourth legislature, to establish statewide standards for the level of college credit received by students who perform at an acceptable level on the advanced placement exam as well as recommending a permanent agency responsible for oversight and program evaluation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state department of public education and the commission on higher education report their findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 31, 1999; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the state department of public education and the commission on higher education.