SENATE MEMORIAL 109

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

Jacob R. Candelaria

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE, THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO, CENTRAL NEW MEXICO COMMUNITY COLLEGE, THE ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE UNIDOS PROJECT TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A TWELVE-MONTH PILOT PROGRAM THAT WOULD USE A BUS AND A FACILITY TO PROMOTE FREE EDUCATIONAL AND COLLEGE RESOURCES THAT PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER PATHWAYS AND OPTIONS TO NEW MEXICO STUDENTS.

     WHEREAS, the unemployment rate for New Mexico's youth was twenty-three and seven-tenths percent in 2014, the eighth-highest among states and well above the national average of nineteen and five-tenths percent, according to the workforce solutions department; and

     WHEREAS, enrollment in New Mexico higher education institutions has recently begun to decline; and

     WHEREAS, possessing a college degree is important for accessing economic opportunities and for the improvement of the economy in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, understanding the application process, financial aid and the options for study provided by universities and colleges is integral to the educational decision-making process of students; and

     WHEREAS, providing a one-stop-shop concept for college access, advice, guidance and workshops for students in middle school, high school and college and for adults and other interested persons would be beneficial, and its feasibility should be studied; and

     WHEREAS, a feasibility study could specifically include exploration of the possibility of implementing a twelve-month pilot program to provide free educational and college resources from a bus that would have access to school sites, events and fairs; and

     WHEREAS, a pilot program could promote:

          A. exploration of post-secondary educational options and admissions to post-secondary educational institutions;

          B. setting goals for college study or the completion of post-secondary educational certificates;

          C. career exploration and development;

          D. financial aid awareness, planning and coaching;

          E. transitional support for students moving from high school to post-secondary educational institutions and for students transferring from two-year to four-year post-secondary institutions;

          F. re-engagement of students who have dropped out of high school or stopped attending college classes; and

          G. support for families to assist students toward success in high school or at the college level; and

     WHEREAS, a study could further consider the allocation of space and support for overall management for the program; acquisition of a bus for the program; acquisition and location of a facility for the program; staffing; training; outreach; and other issues pertinent to the program's implementation;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the city of Albuquerque, the university of New Mexico, central New Mexico community college, the Albuquerque public school district and the unidos project be requested to study the feasibility of the implementation of a twelve-month pilot program that would use a bus and a facility to promote free access to educational and college resources that provide educational and career pathways and options to New Mexico students; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study group be requested to report its findings and conclusions to the legislative education study committee by November 1, 2016; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the mayor of the city of Albuquerque, the president of the university of New Mexico, the president of central New Mexico community college, the secretary of public education, the project director of the unidos project and the chair and vice chair of the legislative education study committee.

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