Bilingual Multicultural Education Programs (BMEPs)

Developing proficiency in two or more languages for New Mexico students has been the commitment of New Mexico educators, legislators, and other government leaders since the state constitution was approved in 1911. Since that time, our state has been and continues to be, a leader in the nation. New Mexico is the first state in the US to have a bilingual multicultural education law, passing the Bilingual Multicultural Education Act of 1973. The law was expanded in 2004 and stands as an exceptional national model for state legislation. This law and many other initiatives have truly made New Mexico an “English Plus” state in policy and practice (the New Mexico English Plus Resolution was adopted in 1989).

Bilingual Multicultural Education Act
New Mexico State Statute: 22-23-1