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





SPONSOR: Altamirano DATE TYPED: 03/1/01 HB
SHORT TITLE: Magdalena Schools Special Reading Program SB 436
ANALYST: Gilbert


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
 Recurring

or Non-Rec

 Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02
$ 313.5



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Relates to Appropriation in The General Appropriation Act: HB24, HB33, HB74, HB82, House Joint Memorial 5, and SB4, SB10, SB31, SB40, SB138, SB307



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



LFC Files

State Department of Education (SDE)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



Senate Bill 436 appropriates $313.5 to the State Department of Education (SDE) for expenditure in FY02 and FY03 to provide an intensive reading support program for students in all grades of the Magdalena municipal schools. The goal is to bring English language reading and writing skills up to the New Mexico content standards for core academic subjects.



Significant Issues



The Magdalena school district has a large number of (Navajo) limited English proficient students. According to the SDE, part of this appropriation will be used to employ a district literacy coordinator who will provide professional development to all staff.



The Magdalena school district has been placed on SDE's probationary list. Additional funds will allow the district to explore strategies and methodologies that will improve the educational status of students.

This appropriation will also allow the district to implement a literacy center at the mid-high school which will provide intensive literacy support for those students most in need.





PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS



Senate Bill 436 addresses the SBE's strategic issue: to establish clear and high standards in all academic and vocational subjects and ensure that assessments are aligned with content standards, benchmarks and performance standards.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The appropriation of $313.5 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY03 shall revert to the general fund.



CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP



The following bills relate to improving reading and literacy programs in New Mexico:



HB24 Statewide Early Childhood Programs

HB33 Even Start Family Literacy Program

HJM-5 Monitor Statewide Reading Initiative

SB4 Family literacy services

SB10 Reading Proficiency by third grade

SB31 At-risk student outreach program

SB40 Family literacy services

SB138 Reading Proficiency by third grade



SB307 and HB82 - makes student improvement appropriations.- $4.0 million is appropriated from the general fund to the state department of education for expenditure in fiscal year 2002 to pay teachers to teach intensive summer education programs for students in need of assistance.

LG/prr