[1] NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only 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 (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative Website. The Adobe PDF version includes all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC’s office in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

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

SPONSOR:	Stewart		DATE TYPED:	02/05/02		HB	87
SHORT TITLE:		Public School Accreditation				SB
					ANALYST:		Baca

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

Or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY02

FY03

FY02

FY03

NFI

(Parenthesis) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to SB 78

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

State Department of Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 87 amends Section 22-2-2 NMSA 1978 of the Public School Code to authorize the State Board of Education (SBE) to accredit public schools in accordance with the state accountability program, to approve education curricula and programs offered in any two-year public post-secondary institution, and requires that the SBE withhold program approval from a college of education or teacher preparation program that fails to offer a reading course that was not designed with input from experts in the field.

Significant Issues

This bill repeals the requirement that the SBE accredit one-third of the state’s school districts yearly following on site visits by SDE staff and allows the SBE to accredit public schools in accordance with the state accountability plan. The change in the accreditation cycle is consistent with an LFC audit team recommendation and allows SDE and SBE greater flexibility in determining where the SDE should concentrate its technical assistance efforts.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

This change will allow SDE greater flexibility in the deployment of to render technical assistance to the districts most in need,

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

House Bill 87 related to Senate Bill 78, Public School Accreditation.

LB/ar