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 for
other purposes.
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 in
|
SPONSOR: |
Garcia, M.J. |
DATE TYPED: |
|
HB |
|
||
|
SHORT TITLE: |
Family Literacy Program |
SB |
138 |
||||
|
|
ANALYST: |
L. Baca |
|||||
APPROPRIATION
|
Appropriation
Contained |
Estimated
Additional Impact |
Recurring or
Non-Rec |
Fund Affected |
||
|
FY03 |
FY04 |
FY03 |
FY04 |
|
|
|
|
$1,500.0 |
|
|
Recurring |
GF |
(Parenthesis
( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
Relates
to for the State Department of Education Appropriation in the General Appropriation
Act
Responses
Received From
SUMMARY
Synopsis
of Bill
Senate Bill 138
appropriates $1,500.0 from the general fund to the SDE for the Even Start Family
Literacy program to support the educational and developmental needs of students
in preschool.
Significant
Issues
This bill provides opportunities to expand the
successful Even Start Literacy Program.
According to SDE, the program has produced the following results:
· 81%
of the preschool children demonstrated gains in developmental skills;
· 71%
of parents engaged in language-rich parent/child interactions;
· 65%
of parents are better prepared to assist their children with developing
literacy readiness skills; and
· two-thirds
of parents reported that family literacy participation has increased their
child’s self-confidence and interest in reading readiness and improved their
child’s communication and social skills.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of
$1,500.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any
unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year shall
revert to the general fund.
OTHER SUBSTANTIVE
ISSUES
In its legislative
package, the LESC recommends $1,500.0 funding for the program, and the SBE
recommends a $2,500.0 funding level.
POSSIBLE QUESIONS
1.
How is the program currently funded?
2.
How long has the program been in
existence?
3.
How many school districts are
participating in the program?
4.
How many schools and how many school
children participate in the program?