HM 4 — LESC MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDY

HOUSE MEMORIAL 4 56TH LEGISLATURE- STATE OF NEWMEXICO - SECOND SESSION, 2024 INTRODUCED BY Joy Garratt and Yanira Gurrola 6 8 10 A MEMORIAL REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE TO STUDY MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATION.

145 WHEREAS, the middle school years represent a crucial and formative period in a student's educational journey, laying the foundation for future academic and career success;

and e t 17 WHEREAS, a wealth of educational research underscores the w l n d 18 significance of the middle school years in shaping a student's = = 19 a l cognitive, social and emotional development, recognizing this i a e r 20 period as a pivotal juncture in a student's development and a t m m 21 academic trajectory;

and d r e 22 WHEREAS, middle school serves as a bridge between the c e s k 23 elementary and high school levels and is a vital transitional e a n b 24 phase when students begin to explore a more diverse and u [ advanced curriculum as they prepare for academic and career .227246.1 pursuits in high school and beyond;

and WHEREAS, middle school is a pivotal time for students to explore a broad range of subjects and extracurricular activities, fostering a well-rounded education that nurtures HM 4 Page 1 diverse talents and interests;

and WHEREAS, emerging brain research shows early adolescence is the second period of immense brain development, and schools e t 17 can be better designed to be more developmentally appropriate;

w l n d 18 and = = 19 a l WHEREAS, data in New Mexico shows that student achievement i a e r 20 in mathematics, reading and science and in school engagement a t m m 21 begins to decline in middle school years as chronic absenteeism d r e 22 begins to rise;

and c e s k 23 WHEREAS, access to mathematics courses in middle school e a n b 24 years, and taking algebra 1 by the end of eighth grade, has u [ been found to be key for students to have sufficient time to .227246.1 - 2 - take more advanced courses in their high school years, particularly courses related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics pathways;

and WHEREAS, recognizing the importance of middle school education is integral to ensuring a strong and vibrant future HM 4 Page 2 for communities and fostering a society with well-prepared, intellectually engaged and socially responsible citizens;

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 the structure, curriculum, funding and design of middle schools and make recommendations to the legislature and the governor on methods e t 17 and means of enhancing the quality of middle school education w l n d 18 in New Mexico that equitably serves all students in New Mexico, = = 19 a l including those students described in the Yazzie/Martinez i a e r 20 lawsuit as students with disabilities, economically a t m m 21 disadvantaged students, English language learners and Native d r e 22 American students;

and c e s k 23 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative education e a n b 24 study committee be requested to work with a representative u [ group of youth, including representatives that reflect New .227246.1 - 3 - Mexico's student demographics and the student groups named in the Yazzie/Martinez lawsuit;

and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative education HM 4 Page 3 study committee be requested to submit a copy of 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 be memorial be transmitted to the director of the legislative education study committee and the secretary of public education.

-HM 4 -Page e4 t9 1725 w l n d 18 = = 19 a l i a e r 20 a t m m 21 d r e 22 c e s k 23 e a n b 24 u [ .227246.1