DECLARING "ENLACE NEW MEXICO DAY" AT THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, data from the state department of public education, the commission on higher education and the national center for education statistics illustrate an unacceptable achievement gap separating Latino students from the highest achieving groups in New Mexico public schools; and

WHEREAS, forty-five percent of the Latino students in New Mexico do not graduate from high school; and

WHEREAS, in 1999, New Mexico ranked forty-second among states in its ability to graduate students from high school; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico ranks thirty-first among states for college attendance by high school students, although it ranks second per capita in spending on higher education; and

WHEREAS, states that have improved performance for Latino students and reduced the gap between Latino students and other populations have comprehensive articulation between the public schools and institutions of higher education; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico ENLACE, engaging Latino communities for education, is dedicated to the goal of improving Latino student performance and reducing performance gaps;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 6, 2002 be declared "New

Mexico ENLACE Day" at the legislature and that recognition be

extended to New Mexico ENLACE for its service in recognizing

the economic importance of supporting high expectations for

Latino students, parent involvement, stimulating and

culturally oriented curricula, fair and appropriate learning

assessments, rigorous teacher preparation and continuous

professional development and high articulation between public

schools and institutions of higher education in order to

contribute to the academic success and excellence of all

students in New Mexico.