SM 9
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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 SM 9
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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 SM 9
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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 SM 9
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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.