2009 Enlace Legislative Agenda

Why is ENLACE interested in public policy? The ENLACE collaborative began its work with public policy in 2001 to improve the educational system in New Mexico. Public policies, within the educational context, are the rules that shape how students and families are served by schools. Moving institutions to change their policies and practices is challenging work. With regard to policy change, ENLACE successes come from making connections between institutions, communities and families and then problem-solving together. ENLACE seeks to be recognized as a leader in involving communities with the legislative process on issues relating to educational reform. As a collaborative we influence decisions concerning important issues by working with elected officials in our communities, our state capital and Washington, D.C. How are legislative issues and priorities identified? Our goal is a policy agenda which reflects the issues, concerns and priorities of ENLACE stakeholders, including students, families, and other community members in promoting educational equity for all students and to improve academic performance throughout the P-20 pipeline in New Mexico. Defining policy issues and priorities is an evolving process which began in 2001; annual retreats allow us to update and polish our policy agenda. In 2008-2009, five strategic planning community forums convened ENLACE partners within their respective regions to discuss strategic planning and policy initiatives. The ENLACE Policy Development & Legislative Planning Committee embraced the priorities that emerged, listed inside. How can I get involved? It is your right and responsibility to connect with state legislators and members of congress. For information regarding specific legislation, please contact Diana Montoya-Boyer, ENLACE Community Relations Manager, at [email protected]. To find out how to become more involved or to sign up for regular legislative updates, please visit: http://enlacenm.unm.edu

ENLACE New Mexico 2009 Legislative Agenda

ENLACE NM Statewide Collaborative ENgaging LAtino Communities for Education (ENLACE) New Mexico is a statewide collaboration of gente who represent the voices of underrepresented children and families – people who have historically not had a say in policy initiatives that directly impact them and their communities. Therefore, both partners and community members are at the forefront of this initiative. This collaborative is based on a process that empowers communities to find their voice in the pursuit of social justice and educational access and success.

ENLACE & Public Policy Our partners live and work in every senate and representative district in New Mexico. The ENLACE collaborative is a diverse population of universities, community colleges, public school districts, businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, students, families and community members. The principles that we promote unify us, our partners and our communities. ENLACE stakeholders believe that by working collaboratively with our elected officials, we can promote policy that enables us to provide educational opportunities and support for students throughout the State of New Mexico.

INSPIRE

INNOVATE

EMPOWER

2009 ENLACE Legislative Agenda ENLACE NM Statewide Collaborative

The ENLACE Statewide Collaborative seeks to maintain current funding in order to sustain programmatic levels across the state, providing continuity of services to students, families and communities. Representative Rick Miera will be sponsoring the bill on the House side. Senator Bernadette Sanchez will carry the bill through the Senate. Both legislators have been ENLACE champions for the past several years.

ENLACE Mentoring & Tutoring Initiatives ENLACE’s culturally relevant mentoring and tutoring programs promote academic and personal success among middle and high school students. Programs focus particularly on students from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds. Without the leadership and support of Representative Janice Arnold-Jones and Senator Cisco McSorley, these initiatives would not have such high rates of success.

Improved Student Advisement Plan During the 2008 legislative session, ENLACE worked closely with Senator Cynthia Nava to create a task force charged with studying issues regarding the student to counselor ratio. This remains a policy priority as ENLACE leads the task force to develop policy recommendations for 2010 that lower the ratio and improve student achievement rates using Next Step Plans and other innovative strategies.

Think New Mexico: Small School Initiative Think New Mexico will be championing legislation to cap the size of future public schools built in New Mexico and establish smaller learning communities in the state’s existing large schools by 2011. New Mexico’s graduation rate ranks second from the bottom of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Only 54.1% of New Mexico’s children graduate from high school, compared with a national average of 70.6%. Decades of research have shown that smaller schools have higher graduation rates, high student achievement, lower levels of student alienation and violence, and higher levels of satisfaction among students, parents, principals and teachers. Small schools also dramatically improve the performance of lowincome children, which helps to narrow the achievement gap. The following general areas within educational policy will continue to remain a focus throughout the 2009 legislative session. ENLACE will track and provide updates on legislation pertaining to: • • • • •

Bilingual Education Curriculum Financial Literacy Health & Law Career Pipeline Programs Lottery Scholarship

• • • • •

Parental Involvement Professional & Leadership Development Public School Funding Formula Service Learning Youth Entrepreneurship

• • • •

Over 80% of ENLACE high school graduates go to college. An increase in number of participants in ENLACE programs, which demonstrates a strengthening in support provided for students. Currently, more than 9,400 families and 5,200 students are active in ENLACE programs. ENLACE continues to have a 97% retention rate of students in the educational pipeline. ENLACE was recognized by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans as a model for effectively working with parents and communities.

Tell me, and I’ll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I’ll understand. ~ Native American Proverb

2009 ENLACE Legislative Agenda

2008 ENLACE NM Achievements • • • •

Over 80% of ENLACE high school graduates go to college. An increase in number of participants in ENLACE programs, which demonstrates a strengthening in support provided for students. Currently, more than 9,400 families and 5,200 students are active in ENLACE programs. ENLACE continues to have a 97% retention rate of students in the educational pipeline. ENLACE was recognized by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans as a model for effectively working with parents and communities.

ENLACE Regional Highlights

• • • • •

Bilingual Education Curriculum Financial Literacy Health & Law Career Pipeline Programs Lottery Scholarship

• • • • •

Parental Involvement Professional & Leadership Development Public School Funding Formula Service Learning Youth Entrepreneurship

Central Region • A total of 615 students are enrolled in the Los Compañeros program, with a total of 25 mentors. The number of students currently enrolled has increased by 118 since last year. • ENLACE is engaged in truancy and dropout prevention work through the Family Center Knock and Talk model, where Parent Ambassadors and volunteers go to communities to resolve challenges. To date, over 2,300 Knock and Talks have been conducted. Eastern Region • The Family Leadership Institute is a multi-faceted educational program focused on providing knowledge and inspiration to families. Over 560 families have graduated from this Institute and many have continued involvement in our programs. • Roswell is the newest site in the eastern region. Currently, a family center has been established. Activities include assistance to GED and ESL classes for family members, the distribution of school uniforms, as well as a Family Liaison position. Northeastern Region • Over 750 students are enrolled in AVID, a college preparatory elective program which uses college students as tutors to support student success in Advanced Placement (AP) coursework. ENLACE also provides test preparation, financial aid information, and college and career exploration services. Over 140 content area teachers have been trained in AVID and are implementing best practices in their classrooms. • The ENLACE Youth Leadership Program trained 148 high school and college students to serve as leaders, facilitators, mentors, and entrepreneurs with a goal of creating positive social change in their communities. Northwestern Region • In October 2008, the ENLACE Family Center was established, complete with two classrooms and a computer lab to serve municipal school students, adult GED and ESL students, as well as the larger community. • ENLACE collaborates with the San Juan College Enrollment Task Force to increase enrollment of underrepresented groups in higher education. Southern Region • Utilizing culturally relevant and academic skill-building approaches, students are better prepared to enter college, averaging above 90% transition and first-year retention rates. • Through strong collaboration in three school districts, 25 family centers have been established to help empower parents and families to become engaged in their child’s education.

Why is ENLACE interested in public policy? The ENLACE collaborative began its work with public policy in 2001 to improve the educational system in New Mexico. Public policies, within the educational context, are the rules that shape how students and families are served by schools. Moving institutions to change their policies and practices is challenging work. With regard to policy change, ENLACE successes come from making connections between institutions, communities and families and then problem-solving together. ENLACE seeks to be recognized as a leader in involving communities with the legislative process on issues relating to educational reform. As a collaborative we influence decisions concerning important issues by working with elected officials in our communities, our state capital and Washington, D.C. How are legislative issues and priorities identified? Our goal is a policy agenda which reflects the issues, concerns and priorities of ENLACE stakeholders, including students, families, and other community members in promoting educational equity for all students and to improve academic performance throughout the P-20 pipeline in New Mexico. Defining policy issues and priorities is an evolving process which began in 2001; annual retreats allow us to update and polish our policy agenda. In 2008-2009, five strategic planning community forums convened ENLACE partners within their respective regions to discuss strategic planning and policy initiatives. The ENLACE Policy Development & Legislative Planning Committee embraced the priorities that emerged, listed inside. How can I get involved? It is your right and responsibility to connect with state legislators and members of congress. For information regarding specific legislation, please contact Diana Montoya-Boyer, ENLACE Community Relations Manager, at [email protected]. To find out how to become more involved or to sign up for regular legislative updates, please visit: http://enlacenm.unm.edu ENLACE New Mexico Directorship  Lawrence Roybal Executive Director MSC06 3700 1 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-0001 Phone: 505.277.1804 Fax: 505.277.4376 [email protected]

Ron Martinez Northeastern New Mexico 705 La Joya Suite C Espanola, New Mexico 87532 Phone: 505.747.7238 Fax: 505.747.7258 [email protected] ____________________________

Central New Mexico MSC11 6070 1 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-0001 Phone: 505.277.5481 Fax: 505.277.0068 ____________________________

Mabel González Northwestern New Mexico 1930 San Juan Boulevard, Suite H Farmington, NM 87401 Phone: 505.325.1055 Fax: 505.325.9189 [email protected] ____________________________

Sylvia Montaño Eastern New Mexico P.O. Box 19000 Clovis Municipal Schools Clovis, New Mexico 88130 Phone: 575.749.6323 Fax: 575.769.4454 [email protected]

Freddy Marquez Southern New Mexico P.O. Box 30001, MSC ENLACE Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003 Phone: 575.646.7927 Fax: 575.646.3073 [email protected]

ENLACE NM Statewide Collaborative ENgaging LAtino Communities for Education (ENLACE) New Mexico is a statewide collaboration of gente who represent the voices of underrepresented children and families – people who have historically not had a say in policy initiatives that directly impact them and their communities. Therefore, both partners and community members are at the forefront of this initiative. This collaborative is based on a process that empowers communities to find their voice in the pursuit of social justice and educational access and success.

ENLACE & Public Policy Our partners live and work in every senate and representative district in New Mexico. The ENLACE collaborative is a diverse population of universities, community colleges, public school districts, businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, students, families and community members. The principles that we promote unify us, our partners and our communities. ENLACE stakeholders believe that by working collaboratively with our elected officials, we can promote policy that enables us to provide educational opportunities and support for students throughout the State of New Mexico.