A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING MARCH 10, 2005 AS "SCHOOLS ON THE RISE DAY" IN THE NEW MEXICO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's standards, assessments and school accountability are now among the best in the country; and

     WHEREAS, the quality counts 2005 report indicates that teacher quality has improved for the second straight year, jumping from thirtieth to seventeenth in the country, demonstrating that educators in New Mexico are raising the bar for all students; and

     WHEREAS, closing the achievement gap in New Mexico's schools should be a matter of concern for all residents of the state; and

     WHEREAS, sixty-eight percent of the state's public schools are meeting or exceeding adequate yearly progress; and

     WHEREAS, through hard work and dedication of faculty and administrators, nineteen public schools have raised themselves to this standard, including Barcelona, Emerson, Kit Carson, Lowell and Whittier elementary schools in Albuquerque; Eva B. Stokley elementary school in Shiprock; Eutimio "Tim" Salazar, III elementary school in Espanola; Jefferson, Lincoln and Thoreau elementary schools and Crownpoint high school in Gallup; Edison elementary school in Hobbs; Lake Arthur middle school in Lake Arthur; Booker T. Washington elementary school in Las Cruces; Kaune elementary school in Santa Fe; Rita A. Marquez elementary school in Santa Rosa; Forrester and Wilferth elementary schools in Springer; and Don Cecillio Martinez elementary school in West Las Vegas;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that March 10, 2005 be designated as "Schools on the Rise Day" to honor and showcase the nineteen schools identified; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the public education department; Barcelona, Emerson, Kit Carson, Lowell and Whittier elementary schools in Albuquerque; Eva B. Stokley elementary school in Shiprock; Eutimio "Tim" Salazar, III elementary school in Espanola; Jefferson, Lincoln and Thoreau elementary schools and Crownpoint high school in Gallup; Edison elementary school in Hobbs; Lake Arthur middle school in Lake Arthur; Booker T. Washington elementary school in Las Cruces; Kaune elementary school in Santa Fe; Rita A. Marquez elementary school in Santa Rosa; Forrester and Wilferth elementary schools in Springer; and Don Cecillio Martinez elementary school in West Las Vegas.