Senate Memorial 9

SENATE MEMORIAL 9

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

Shannon D. Pinto

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONTINUING AND IMPROVING THE 520 NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM.

 

     WHEREAS, the state recognizes the importance of maintaining and promoting Native American languages and cultures as integral components of education and community identity; and

     WHEREAS, systemic inequities, coupled with cultural and linguistic barriers, contribute to the loss of cultural identity among Native American students; and

     WHEREAS, research indicates that learning one's ancestral language fosters cognitive development, strengthens academic performance and enhances overall well-being by reinforcing cultural identity and community connections; and

     WHEREAS, Section 22-10A-13 NMSA 1978 established the Native American language and culture certificates, allowing the public education department to issue certificates to individuals proficient in a Native American language and culture of a New Mexico Indian nation, tribe or pueblo based on criteria established through a memorandum of agreement between the tribal governments and the public education department; and

     WHEREAS, this certification recognizes tribal sovereignty and the importance of traditional knowledge and values the linguistic proficiency 520 Native American language and culture teachers gain outside of conventional academic pathways; and

     WHEREAS, from 2003 to 2014, sixteen Indian nations, tribes and pueblos have entered into a memorandum of agreement with the public education department granting authority to certify their representatives as 520 Native American language and culture teachers, ensuring that tribal sovereignty and expertise guide the certification process; and

     WHEREAS, in 2022, the legislature amended Section 22-10A-13 NMSA 1978 to establish salary parity between 520-certified Native American language and culture instructors and level 1 licensed teachers, acknowledging the significance of their instructional roles and ensuring equitable compensation; and

     WHEREAS, the public education department's Indian education division awarded one million three hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($1,325,000) in fiscal year 2025 to support 520 Native American language and culture certificates; and

     WHEREAS, according to the public education department's 2023-2024 tribal education status report, there were one hundred thirty-three active 520-certified Native American language and culture instructors, and ninety-nine students earned state seals of bilingualism-biliteracy awards for indigenous languages; and

     WHEREAS, challenges remain regarding the organizational structure, certification process, salary implementation, pathways for advancement and integration into the broader bilingual and multicultural education system, and a comprehensive review of the 520 certification framework is necessary;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that this legislative body hereby acknowledge the significance of 520-certified Native American language and culture instructors and request the legislative education study committee to convene a working group to study and make recommendations concerning the 520 Native American language and culture certificates, including the organizational structure and accountability, advancement and professional development, data collection and transparency and a long-term strategy for system improvement; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group be requested to include representatives from the Indian education division and the licensure bureau of the public education department, school districts and charter schools specializing in Native American language and culture education, organizations focused on 520 certification or bilingual teacher certification, including those providing professional development and training, bilingual and multicultural education programs, higher education institutions, technical assistance centers and 520-certified educators; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group be requested to present its findings and recommendations to the legislative education study committee, the legislature and the Indian education division of the public education department no later than December 31, 2025; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of public education, the assistant secretary of Indian education of the public education department, the director of the legislative education study committee and the respective governing bodies of each New Mexico Indian nation, tribe and pueblo.

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