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

REQUESTING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION TO STUDY THE METHODS CURRENTLY USED TO TEACH READING AND TO ENCOURAGE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO USE PHONICS IN THE TEACHING OF READING.

WHEREAS, research has established the importance of early reading success and learning to read is an essential foundation for success in school, employment and life; and

WHEREAS, studies indicate that children who are not reading at grade level by third grade are unlikely to catch up to their peers in reading skills; and

WHEREAS, according to one reading researcher, reading is a learned skill that involves developing phonological awareness, which is the understanding that sounds heard in spoken words correspond to letters seen in print, linking sounds with specific letters, becoming a faster reader by automatically associating symbols and sounds and concentrating on the meanings of words; and

WHEREAS, studies conducted over past years indicate that children who have the hardest time learning to read are those least able to connect letters with sounds; and

WHEREAS, young readers must develop accurate work recognition, and research verifies that they are much more likely to do so if they receive reading instruction that includes phonics; and

WHEREAS, research indicates that strong phonological skills lead children to demonstrate effective reading comprehension and expanded vocabulary skills in third grade and beyond; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary for teacher preparation programs to focus on preparing pre-service teachers with knowledge and skills necessary to work with children in primary grades so they can learn to read;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state department of public education study the methods and approaches currently being used to teach children to read in primary grades and encourage school districts to use a balance of strategies that develop more phonological skills and phonemic awareness in the early grades; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state department of public education study the level of knowledge of first-year teachers of primary grades to teach phonemic awareness, concepts of print and the letter-sound relationships through a systematic sequential approach; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the state department of public education and the teacher preparation programs.