0001|                          A JOINT MEMORIAL
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0002| REQUESTING THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION BE REQUESTED
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0003| TO STUDY THE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE, FUNDING STREAMS, PROGRAM
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0004| DELIVERY AND DATA COLLECTION METHODS OF ADULT BASIC EDUCATION
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0005| PROGRAMS.
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0006| 
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0007|      WHEREAS, New Mexico's adult basic education programs are
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0008| important for addressing the state's illiteracy problems; and
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0009|      WHEREAS, New Mexico's adult basic education programs serve almost
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0010| thirty-seven thousand of our citizens, but the estimated need is in
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0011| excess of two hundred seventy thousand; and  
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0012|      WHEREAS, New Mexico's adult basic education classes are offered
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0013| primarily through the state's system of community colleges at two
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0014| hundred sixty-six sites statewide, but there still remains unequal
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0015| access to rural populations; and
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0016|      WHEREAS, New Mexico's adult basic education program is expected
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0017| to play an increasing role in the transition of our citizens from
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0018| welfare and the transition of special needs students into the
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0019| workplace or post-secondary education, creating additional demands on
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0020| services; and
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0021|      WHEREAS, a new, more equitable funding formula for distribution
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0022| has been developed as a result of the adult basic education working
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0023| group, comprised of institutional fiscal agents, but state dollars may
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0024| not be available for full implementation; and
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0025|      WHEREAS, the continued success of New Mexico's adult basic
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0001| education program is linked to program expansion, instructional and
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0002| program innovations, development of measurable and meaningful
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0003| outcomes, strong working relationships with other agencies that serve
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0004| adult basic education clients and increased meaningful linkages with
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0005| employers;
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0006|      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF
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0007| NEW MEXICO that the state department of public education be requested
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0008| to study the administrative structure, funding streams, program
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0009| delivery and data collection methods of the adult basic education
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0010| program with participation of the commission on higher education,
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0011| community colleges and other administrative sites and other agencies
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0012| involved in the administration of adult basic education and literacy
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0013| programs; and
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0014|      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state department of public
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0015| education make recommendations about expanded service, serving needs
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0016| of rural and special populations, increased instructional quality,
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0017| development of data collection strategies and accountability measures,
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0018| efficient management and coordination of services and identification
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0019| of funding support and needs and report to the appropriate interim
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0020| committee of the legislature by December 1, 1997; and 
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0021|      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
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0022| transmitted to the superintendent of public instruction and the
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0023| commission on higher education.                             
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