HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 17

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014

INTRODUCED BY

Elizabeth "Liz" Thomson

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE, IN COOPERATION WITH THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT AND THE LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE, TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF USING SENIOR CITIZENS TO ASSIST WITH PROVIDING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR PRESCHOOLERS.

     WHEREAS, the challenges facing New Mexico, from school dropout rates, to crime, to rising health care costs, to competing globally, can only be met by a focus on the development of all children, beginning at birth; and

     WHEREAS, from birth on, young children grow, develop and learn skills to serve them in the primary grades; and

     WHEREAS, ninety percent of a child's brain development occurs in the first three years of life; and

     WHEREAS, relationships with family members, caregivers and teachers provide important learning tools for children; and

     WHEREAS, children gain verbal and nonverbal communication skills from interactions with others; and

     WHEREAS, early childhood education provides a strong start and a firm foundation for school success; and

     WHEREAS, early childhood education is important because far too many children enter school not prepared, and unprepared children tend to fall further and further behind once school begins; and

     WHEREAS, there is growing recognition that the key to better student development and achievement is the prevention of problems before children begin attendance at school; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's even start family literacy program, full-day kindergarten literacy readiness program and pre-kindergarten programs all provide valuable early childhood educational opportunities; and

     WHEREAS, expanding access to early childhood education is among one of the smartest investments that the state can make; and

     WHEREAS, additional funding for early childhood programs needs to be complemented by creative approaches that engage and use community resources; and

     WHEREAS, United States census bureau statistics show that the population age sixty-five and older is growing faster than the total population; and

     WHEREAS, senior citizens have the time to volunteer and be engaged in their communities; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's senior citizens represent a huge reserve of knowledge, experience and skills that could be harnessed to assist in the provision of early childhood programs; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico would gain by tapping into this vast resource if senior citizens volunteer to assist as preschool caregivers or in an educational setting;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative education study committee, in cooperation with the public education department, the children, youth and families department and the legislative finance committee, be requested to study the feasibility of using senior citizens to assist with providing early childhood education for preschoolers; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative education study committee be requested to report its findings and conclusions to the legislature and the governor prior to the 2015 legislative session; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the legislative education study committee; the public education department; the children, youth and families department; the American association of retired persons; the aging and long-term services department; and the legislative finance committee.

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