New Mexico Statutes Chapter 22. Public Schools § 22-1-1.1. Legislative findings and purpose

A. The legislature finds that, although New Mexico has been in the forefront of educational reforms in many areas, additional improvements are necessary to enhance and upgrade the delivery of quality education in New Mexico.

B. The legislature further finds that enhancement of the educational system in New Mexico requires a renewed emphasis on the primary grades, recognizing especially the importance of the first grade to a child's future educational career.

C. The legislature further finds that teachers and administrators play a key role in any reform efforts and acknowledges their importance in the educational process.

D. The legislature further finds that the smorgasbord curriculum offered in many schools fails to provide students with the basic educational background necessary to provide them with indispensable life skills.

E. The legislature further finds that discipline in the schools is essential to provide an atmosphere conducive to effective learning.

F. It is the purpose of this reform legislation, among other things, to stress the importance of substantive academic subjects, provide for a greater emphasis on the primary grades, upgrade curriculum and graduation requirements, systematically evaluate instructional improvement and student progress, increase parental involvement in the public schools and recognize that teachers should be treated like other professionals.