[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.

 

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

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Tsosie

 

DATE TYPED:

01/28/02

 

HB

 

 

SHORT TITLE:

Native American Language Teacher Certification

 

SB

126

 

 

ANALYST:

Baca

 

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY02

FY03

FY02

FY03

 

 

 

 

NFI

 

 

 

(Parenthesis) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

State Department of Education (SDE)

Commission on Higher Education  (CHE)

Economic Development Department (EDD)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

Senate Bill 126 amends the Public School Code so that the State Board of Education (SBE) may issue alternative, substandard, substitute and Native American language and culture educator certificates  to non-degreed indivisuals who meet SBE approved teaching competencies.  A baccalaureate degree is not required of a person appylying for this cetificate.

 

     Significant Issues

 

The CHE and the SBE have adopted the concept of improving teacher supply, diversity, and quality.  SB 126 aligns with this concept by formally creating alternative pathways for persons qualified to receive alternative educator certificates.

 

According to the SDE, all substandard certificates issued will be effective for one school year.  An alternative certificate may be effective for up to three years.   With the provision that after the individual has satisfactorily completed a minimum of one year and up to three years of teaching under the supervision of a mentor or clinical supervisor, the State Board shall issue a standard certificate to that person.  No person under the age of  eighteen  years  shall hold a valid certificate, whether a standard, alternative or substandard.

 

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

 

1.  Do the provisions of this bill allow a non-degreed person to be awarded a standar teaching certificate ?

 

2.  Which school districts are most likely to benefit from the provisions of this bill ?

 

3.     How likely is it that persons with the language skills and teaching competencies will be

 available ?

 

4.  How have school district personnel reacted to this proposal ? 

 

Lb/njw:ar

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