HM 4 LESC MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDY

Rep Joy Garratt

Actions: HPREF [2] HEC-HEC [5] DP [16] PASSED/H (70-0) SGND.

Scheduled: Not Scheduled

 House Memorial 4 requests the Legislative Education Study Committee to study and report on middle school education. 

 House Memorial 4 (HM 4) requests the Legislative Education Study Committee (Committee) to study the structure, curriculum, funding and design of middle schools. The Committee will make recommendations to the legislature and the governor on methods and means of enhancing the quality of middle school education in New Mexico that equitably serves all students, including those students described in the Yazzie/Martinez lawsuit. 

The Committee is requested to work with a representative group of youth, including representatives that reflect New Mexico's student demographics and the student groups named in the Yazzie/Martinez lawsuit and other education leaders, counselors, providers and health care professionals, community members and the Public Education Department (PED).

HM 4 request the Committee submit a copy of its research findings and recommendations to the governor and the legislature and publish its report by December 31, 2024. Copies of this be memorial be transmitted to the director of the Committee and the secretary of public education.

HM 4 claims education studies consistently highlight the unique role of middle schools in fostering essential skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and effective communication that are foundational to success in both academic achievement and future career pathways. Evidence-based research emphasizes the role of dedicated and skilled teachers in middle schools, as they contribute significantly to students' academic achievements, character development and overall well-being. Emerging brain research shows early adolescence is the second period of immense brain development, and schools can be better designed to be more developmentally appropriate

HM 4 reports data in New Mexico shows that student achievement in mathematics, reading and science and in school engagement begins to decline in middle school years as chronic absenteeism rises.

Access to mathematics courses in middle school years, and taking algebra 1 by the end of eighth grade, has been found to be key for students to have sufficient time to take more advanced high school courses, particularly courses related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

A positive middle school experience contributes significantly to students' self-esteem, social skills and overall well-being, providing a much more successful transition to high school and beyond.