The Coalition for the Majority
Legislative Platform 2013-14

The Constitution of the State of New Mexico calls for equal education
rights for “children of Spanish descent,” the preparation of a
bilingual teaching force, and professional development for all
teachers to promote learning and language development for this
population. (New Mexico Constitution, Article XIX, Sections 8 and 10).
Two statutes -- the Bilingual Multicultural Education Act (22-23-1 to
22-23- 6 NMSA 1978) and the Indian Education Act (22-23A-1 to 22-23A-8
NMSA 1978) -- set important goals for bilingualism, education equity
and academic advancement, and, in the latter legislation, for
increasing tribal involvement and control over schools and the
education of Native American students.
At the present time, 71% of the students in public and charter schools
come from linguistically and/or culturally diverse backgrounds and
many are English language learners. Thus, New Mexico has a
“majority-minority” student population.

 New Mexico has a rich history of bilingualism and Bilingual
Education, and the state continues to benefit from its diverse
languages and cultures. The Coalition for the Majority’s proposal
would provide the Bilingual Multicultural Education Act with several
missing components, including:

1. An advisory council to ensure fulfillment of the purposes of the
Act and to guarantee that any new statewide initiatives consider New
Mexico’s entire student population;

2. A means to ensure that all students of the state can be recognized
for attainment of bilingualism/biliteracy; and

3. Statewide technical assistance agencies supported to help districts
ensure the implementation of the most effective, high-quality programs
possible, while they also work hand-in-hand with NMPED and LEAS to
achieve new statewide initiatives. This is a relatively small
investment to make, considering the potential academic and linguistic
outcomes for our state’s minority-majority student population.

To read the Legislative Platform in its entirety click here to
download.  We ask that you consider endorsing as an individual or as
an organization and make a difference in the education of New Mexico’s
“majority-minority” student population.  Together we will stand in
strengthening language and cultural education in New Mexico.