A. As part of their duties pursuant to the Black Education Act, the liaison and the council shall study and prepare white papers on current research on methods and practices that will improve educational outcomes and school experiences for Black students by:

Terms Used In New Mexico Statutes 22-23C-6

  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts

(1)     identifying best practices for strengthening educational outcomes for Black students;

(2)     addressing the Black student achievement gap in a holistic and systemic manner that includes clearly articulated measures to improve public education for Black students that result in substantially improved graduation rates, college or career readiness and higher education completion rates at the undergraduate and graduate levels;

(3)     combating discrimination and racism in the public school system, including creating and sustaining equitable and culturally responsive learning environments;

(4)     recommending curricula and instructional materials that include the history and culture of Black people in New Mexico, America and the world; and

(5)     providing mechanisms for parents, community and business organizations, public schools, public post-secondary educational institutions and state and local policymakers to work together to improve educational opportunities for Black students.

B. The liaison and advisory council shall develop or recommend anti-racism and cultural sensitivity training and professional development programs for all school personnel.

C. The department, through the liaison and advisory council, shall establish a formal cooperative relationship with the higher education department and public post- secondary educational institutions in the state to help:

(1)     improve the education of Black students in the kindergarten through sixteen educational system in New Mexico, including the recruitment and retention of Black teachers, educational support providers, faculty and educational and administrative leaders in the system; and

(2)     improve teacher preparation programs by recruiting Black students and including curricula that demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity to matters of race and promote anti-racism.

D. White papers shall be submitted to the secretary, the council, the governor, the legislature, school districts, charter schools, the higher education department, public post-secondary educational institutions and interested persons.