House Memorial 47 requests the Legislative Education Study Committee to conduct a comprehensive study on teacher workloads and the structure of instructional days in New Mexico. The study aims to evaluate current statutory requirements and practices, focusing on how time is allocated to teachers and the impact of state and local requirements on their schedules. The goal is to develop recommendations that support high-quality instruction and enhance teacher effectiveness, particularly for diverse student populations, including those with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students, English learners, and Native American students.
The memorial emphasizes the importance of quality teachers in influencing student achievement and highlights the increasing non-instructional duties that burden teachers, contributing to stress and burnout. It notes the high vacancy rates for teaching positions in New Mexico and the challenges of recruiting and retaining qualified educators, especially in rural areas. The study is to be conducted in collaboration with a diverse group of educational stakeholders, and a report with findings and recommendations is expected to be published by December 31, 2026.