NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

State Department of Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of HEC Amendment

The House Education Committee amendment clarifies that language immersion models, as opposed to language models, will be examined. Also, the amendment removes an unnecessary and vague clause.

Synopsis of Original Bill

This memorial requests that the State Department of Education (SDE) assess and evaluate language immersion models, dual language models, English as a second language models and current bilingual programs, and report its findings to the superintendents of local school districts and to the Superintendent of Public Instruction

Significant Issues

The information to be provided by this study will assist districts in the appropriate selection of language learning models for their programs. This memorial would also facilitate implementation of the SDE's goal to ensure that all students graduate both bilingual and biliterate (New Mexico State Board of Education, 2000).

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

There are no fiscal implications to this bill. The SDE has, however, suggested that additional support would be needed to provide technical assistance to assess, evaluate, select, and promote appropriate language-learning models.

RJM/ar:njw