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





SPONSOR: Nava DATE TYPED: 2-7-01 HB
SHORT TITLE: Even Start Family Literacy Program SB 40
ANALYST: Segura


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02
$ 5,000.0

Recurring GF


(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates HB33



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



State Department of Education SDE

LFC Files



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



Senate Bill 40 appropriates $5 million to SDE to establish Even Start Family Literacy Programs that will provide preschool reading readiness and parenting education.



Significant Issues



To apply for these funds, a public school must address specific program elements and have the highest proportion of limited English proficient students, students living in poverty and Native American students. Funds will be distributed on a per unit basis.



According to SDE, the department will develop and administer a program approval process for state-funded Even Start Family Literacy programs based on statutory criteria. If a program does not meet the necessary benchmarks to ensure student success, the public school is notified of the possibility of cessation of program funding for the next school year.





FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



Senate Bill 40 appropriates $5,000.0 from the general fund and is recurring. The appropriation amount is based on using the 2000-2001 unit value of $2,632.32 and the Early Childhood Education weighting factor of 1.44 per full-time student. The $5,000.0 according to SDE calculations would allow for the following per unit allocations:



Full day programs $1,319.07

Half-day programs $2,638.15



As of January 29,2001, the State Superintendent of Public Education raised the 2000-2001 unit value from $2,632.32 to $2,647.56. The appropriation included in the bill will have to be adjusted to reflect the increase.



The Public School Support recommendations being considered includes the Even Start and Native American Family Literacy at $5,500.0.



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



The SDE staff will carry out the programmatic and fiscal responsibilities , including the establishment of : a program approval process, a dissemination system to districts, and technical assistance.



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