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.

Only the most recent FIR version, excluding attachments, is available on the Intranet. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC office in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to: House Bills 20, 21, 82, 269, 398, 428, 530 and Senate Bills 4, 31, 38, 54, 307, 312, 336, 46, 543, 604, 647

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

State Department of Education (SDE)

Legislative Education Study Committee (SESC)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 312 appropriates $1.0 million to the State Department of Education (SDE) to contract with a private nonprofit organization to establish dropout prevention programs for students from Valley, Los Lunas, Rio Grande and West Mesa high schools, Santa Fe and Valencia counties, and Santa Fe Indian School in Bernalillo.

Significant Issues

According to the SDE, the public schools dropout rate declined from 8.7% in 1994-95 to 7.1% in 1997-98. However, dropout rates in the targeted public schools are above the state rate.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $1.0 million contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY02 shall revert to the general fund.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

The following bills relate to SB312:

House Bill 530 appropriates $750.0 from the general fund to the State Department of Education (SDE) to establish high school dropout prevention programs in Bernalillo, Sandoval, and Valencia counties.

Senate Bill 307 and House Bill 82 - section 7A of these bills appropriates $4.1 million from the general fund to pay teachers to teach intensive summer education programs for students in need of assistance.

House Bill 398 require the SDE to establish a "dropout prevention pilot program" at ten public high schools with the highest dropout rates.

Senate Bill 543 $250.0 appropriation to implement a leadership and motivational training program for New Mexican Latino youth, particularly for students from rural and disadvantaged environments.

Senate Bill 647 & Senate Bill 604 appropriate $250.0 to continue the Rio Grande Educational Collaborative program to provide Albuquerque public school students with mentorship and leadership programs.

Senate Bill 461 appropriation to support Hispanic leadership programs.

House Bill 20 and Senate Bill 38 appropriates $500.0 to NMSU to develop math & science skills for border region students.

Senate Bill 336 appropriates $230.0 to the Commission on Higher Education to help high school students develop math, science and engineering expertise.

House Bill 21 appropriates $100.0 to New Mexico State University to increase participation in the programs of two organizations New Mexico Alliance for Minority Participation (NMAMP) and the Regional Alliance for Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology for Students with Disabilities (RASEM). These programs are committed to improving student preparation for successful post-secondary math, science, engineering, and technology study.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The following is provided for information only. It is not intended as a commentary on the merits of the program/project:

The Legislative Education Study Committee (SESC) did not recommend funding this program. The SDE, however, recommended to the LESC that local school districts be allowed to develop and implement dropout intervention and enforcement plans that involve parents and the local community and to shift consequences or sanctions to the students.

LG/ar