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

REQUESTING THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION DEVELOP A MODEL FOR A COMPACT AMONG PARENTS, STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.

WHEREAS, research shows that a vital key to educational excellence is strong parental involvement with a commitment to support student success; and

WHEREAS, research suggests that parents' decisions to become involved in the education of their children are based upon parents' beliefs about the positive influence they can have on their children's education and upon their beliefs about what is important, necessary and permissible for them to do on behalf of their children; and

WHEREAS, public schools are responsible for providing meaningful roles for parents to participate actively in their children's education and for providing coordination, technical assistance and other necessary support to engage parents successfully; and

WHEREAS, compacts involve parents, students and teachers agreeing to collaborate as partners in the educational process; and

WHEREAS, parents agree to share in their children's education by participating in school decisions and governance, volunteering to support and strengthen school programs, creating home conditions that support learning and helping to foster better communication among students and teachers; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of creating a compact among parents, students and teachers is to form a committed community partnership that helps students succeed in school and later in life and that assists parents, students and teachers to understand the responsibilities and expectations of each party;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state department of public education develop, in coordination with the legislative education study committee, a model for a parent, student and teacher compact to involve parents, students and teachers in the education of children; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the parent, student and teacher compact model specify the duties, responsibilities and expectations of each party and recommend a mechanism to address the failure of one party to meet its obligations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state department of public education report its findings and recommendations for addressing this issue to the legislative education study committee by October 29, 1999; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the state department of public education, the state board of education and the legislative education study committee.