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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Pinto DATE TYPED: 02-14-00 HB
SHORT TITLE: Teacher Licnesure Requirements SB SM 36
ANALYST: Baca


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY00 FY01 FY00 FY01
NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates HJM 32



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



LFC Files

State Department of Education (SDE)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill

Senate Memorial 36 proposes that all who seek licnesure or licensure renewal (certification or re-certification) in New Mexico, complete two courses in cultural diversity, one of which is New Mexico History.

Significant Issues



The analysis prepared by SDE staff states the SBE is in the 3rd year of a 5-year project to revise all lincensure and endorsement competencies. According to the SDE analysis, "the study called for in HJM 32 should assist institutions of higher education in designing the courses to deliver the competencies."



The SDE analysis points out the SBE does not "prescribe" courses for licnesure renewal or the content of individual professional development plans. SDE suggests that the memorial's proposal be aligned with current SBE policies.



While not addressed in its analysis, it is presumed that SDE is involving "diverse educators" in its process to revise licnesure requirements - as is the practice usually utilized by the agency in its review and development of policies and regulations.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



None. SDE is currently involved in the process.



POSSIBLE QUESTIONS



Has the SBE ever required specific courses for licensure renewal, e.g., reading courses in the teaching of reading? Reading for secondary school teachers?



LB/gm