HOUSE MEMORIAL 20

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2024

INTRODUCED BY

G. Andr s Romero and Yanira Gurrola and Raymundo Lara

and Tara Jaramillo and Cristina Paraj n

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE TO STUDY CLASS SIZE REDUCTIONS FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE CLASSES.

 

     WHEREAS, fewer than one in four students in New Mexico scored "proficient" in reading and math on the national assessment of educational progress tests in 2022, ranking New Mexico the lowest in the nation for student reading and math proficiency; and

     WHEREAS, a large proportion of kindergarten through twelfth grade students in New Mexico are at-risk, with one in four children living in poverty and higher than national averages of students identified as English language learners or students with disabilities; and

     WHEREAS, the percentages of kindergarten through twelfth grade economically disadvantaged students, English language learners, Native American students and students with disabilities scoring "proficient" on statewide assessment tests in New Mexico continue to fall below statewide proficiency averages; and

     WHEREAS, kindergarten through twelfth grade teachers in New Mexico and across the nation report a marked impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on students' social, emotional and behavioral development, resulting in increased disruptions of instructional time and demands on teachers and support staff; and

     WHEREAS, a finding in the consolidated Yazzie/Martinez v. State of New Mexico lawsuit pointed out the critical need for highly effective educators to serve kindergarten through twelfth grade students with disabilities, Native American students, economically disadvantaged students and English language learners; and

     WHEREAS, national research indicates that reducing kindergarten through twelfth grade class sizes can be an effective means to improve educational outcomes, increase student engagement and improve classroom behavior, particularly in early elementary grades, among at-risk students and in classes with less experienced or effective teachers; and

     WHEREAS, the turnover rate for kindergarten through twelfth grade teachers in New Mexico has increased over the past three years, and more kindergarten through twelfth grade teacher candidates are completing alternative licensure pathways than traditional licensure pathways, with little or no classroom experience prior to teaching; and

     WHEREAS, reducing kindergarten through twelfth grade class size maximums would require hiring additional teachers and administrative assistants while New Mexico continues to face shortages in those areas;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative education study committee be requested to study kindergarten through twelfth grade class size reductions, including the potential effects on student outcomes, staffing and funding; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative education study committee be requested to work with representatives from the public education department, the higher education department, the legislative finance committee, the early childhood education and care department, school district and charter school leadership, teachers' unions and educator preparation programs; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative education study committee be requested to submit its research findings and recommendations to the governor and the legislature and to publish its report by December 31, 2024; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the director of the legislative education study committee, the secretary of public education, the secretary of higher education and the secretary of early childhood education and care.

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