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

SPONSOR:	Zanetti		DATE TYPED:	227/03		HB	856
SHORT TITLE:		Accelerated Reader Program				SB
					ANALYST:		L. Baca

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY03	FY04	FY03	FY04
	$30.0			Recurring	GF

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Responses Received From

State Department of Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 556 appropriates $30.0 from the general fund to the State Department of Public Education (SDE) to purchase an accelerated reader program and additional materials for Taylor Middle School in the Albuquerque Public School district.

Significant Issues

SDE reports that Accelerated Reader (AR) is one of the most widely used reading incentives programs. It uses a list of books with assigned point values and computer software to encourage students read challenging material. Taylor Middle School implemented an experimental AR program during 2002, and additional funds are needed to purchase additional books, computers, software for record keeping and assessment and other materials and supplies required for implementation of the program. Administrators at Taylor Middle School cite increased interest in reading and dramatic increases in student reading abilities as proof that the program is an effective instructional tool.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $30.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2004 shall revert to the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The legislation requires the SDE to award the funds or issue a Request for Proposal to secure an accelerated mathematics program for Taylor Middle School.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

According to SDE, direct appropriations for operational purposes may lead to disequalizing revenues and skewing the expenditures reported by SDE to the National Center for Education Statistics.

LRB/yr