SANTA FE – The New Mexico House of Representatives is embracing a package of bills designed to improve academic achievement among minority students and revitalize local linguistic and cultural traditions.
The House voted Thursday, Feb. 28 without opposition on two bills in the package of legislation. One would expand training for teachers of English as a second language and bilingual instructors. The other would enlist a network of existing teacher cooperatives to collaborate with local Native American tribes.
A vote also was scheduled late Thursday on a related bill to create new divisions at the Public Education Department to focus on multicultural education and Hispanic education.
Supporters of the bills say they respond to a court order to provide greater resources to the state’s troubled public school system. A district court judge says the state is failing to provide an adequate education to students from low-income and minority communities, especially children who speak Spanish or Native American languages at home.
The package moves to the Senate.