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

REQUESTING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE TO WORK JOINTLY WITH THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AT ALL NEW MEXICO HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO PREPARE LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHERS IN THE AREAS OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND NEW MEXICO HISTORY.

WHEREAS, there is a need in New Mexico to promote cultural diversity and New Mexico history in our teacher curriculum and classroom curriculum; and

WHEREAS, the majority of New Mexico institutions of higher education already include at least one course in cultural diversity in their education programs; and

WHEREAS, courses in cultural diversity should be required for teacher certification and re-certification; and

WHEREAS, all education licensure, new and renewal, should include multicultural competency; and

WHEREAS, developing licensure and re-licensure requirements for teachers who have completed appropriate educational training in cultural diversity, including New Mexico history and culture, would ensure that students are also acquiring knowledge in cultural diversity and New Mexico history;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state department of public education and the legislative education study committee work jointly with the colleges of education at all higher educational institutions and with representatives from New Mexico's diverse populations to prepare licensure requirements for teachers in the areas of cultural diversity and New Mexico history; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that once all higher educational institutions offer courses in cultural diversity and New Mexico history that include training in diverse learning styles and appropriate teaching strategies, all teacher applicants for renewal of teacher certification by the state board of education shall be required to demonstrate that they have taken a minimum of two courses in cultural diversity, one of which shall be a course in New Mexico cultural history, and that these courses shall include the content and competencies recommended by diverse educators and shall be approved by the state board of education; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the state department of public education, the commission or higher education and the boards of regents of all higher educational institutions that provide a college of education.