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

SPONSOR:	Lujan		DATE TYPED:	02/06/02		HB	301
SHORT TITLE:		Professional Development Network for Teachers				SB
					ANALYST:		Segura

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY02

FY03

FY02

FY03

$213.5

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

State Department of Education(SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 301 appropriates $213.5 to the SDE to extend a professional development network of New Mexico English and secondary teachers to improve their students’ reading, literacy and technology skills.

Significant Issues

House Bill 301 specifies that the network shall:

- Build on the infrastructure of the New Mexico Virtual School to allow electronic contact between classrooms;

- Emphasize the use of technology to assist students in reaching their academic potential;

- Provide courses in literature and the teaching of writing, creative writing and theatre arts directly applicable to daily instruction.

According to SDE, the professional development of teachers is critical to the future success of students being prepared for a rapidly expanding information society. This bill not only addresses the

need for teachers to continually update their skills in the language arts area, but also addresses teachers’ need to use digital tools effectively.

The SDE coordinates the Statewide Professional Development Initiative to improve the abilities of teachers and administrators to teach reading and literacy more effectively, principally in elementary schools. This legislation would enhance the Initiative by extending literacy opportunities to high school students and teachers.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The bill appropriates $213.5 in general fund and is recurring.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

According to SDE, current staff are in place to coordinate the implementation of this initiative. The department staff in the Learning Services and Indian Education Division, Curriculum, Instruction and Learning Technologies Unit are currently charged with overseeing public school district professional development plans, funding and implementation.

RS/ar