44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

REQUESTING THAT THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE, THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS TO ACCOMPLISH SPANISH PROFICIENCY AMONG TEACHERS IN NEW MEXICO.

WHEREAS, the constitution of New Mexico directs the legislature to provide training for teachers to accomplish Spanish proficiency in the public schools and educational institutions across the state; and

WHEREAS, many students enrolled in the public schools and in educational institutions in New Mexico are Spanish speakers who would benefit from teachers who could provide the proper means and methods to facilitate the teaching of the English language; and

WHEREAS, other students who are not Spanish speakers would also benefit from teachers who could provide the proper means and methods to facilitate the teaching of the Spanish language; and

WHEREAS, providing students throughout the state with a bilingual education would lead to better communication among New Mexico's diverse population;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative education study committee, the commission on higher education and the state department of public education develop a plan and budget to implement and honor the provisions of Article 12, Section 8 of the constitution of New Mexico; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative education study committee, the commission on higher education and the state department of public education include in the plan and budget a method for also providing students who are not Spanish speakers the opportunity to enhance their education by learning to speak Spanish; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the plan and its recommendations be submitted to the legislature by December 1999; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the director of the legislative education study committee, the director of the commission on higher education and to the superintendent of public instruction.