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SPONSOR: |
Stewart , M. |
DATE TYPED: |
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HB |
68 |
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SHORT TITLE: |
Home Visits and Conferences |
SB |
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ANALYST: |
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APPROPRIATION
Appropriation
Contained |
Estimated
Additional Impact |
Recurring or
Non-Rec |
Fund Affected |
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FY03 |
FY04 |
FY03 |
FY04 |
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N/A |
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(Parenthesis
( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
State Department of Education (SDE)
SUMMARY
House Bill 68 provides additional time for
teachers to conduct home visits and parent –teacher conferences in kindergarten
through grade five.
Synopsis
of Bill
The bill proposes
thirty-three hours within the full –day kindergarten program may be used for
home visits or parent-teacher conferences; and twenty-two hours of grades one
through five.
According to SDE,
currently, the State Board of Education Regulation 6.30.210.H (1) Length of
School Day and Year requires the district to be in compliance with the length of
school day and year requirements as defined in Section 22-2-8.1 NMSA 1978.
Currently, the local board may designate a prescribed number of hours within
the school year for parent conferences and home visits up to the following
maximum hours:
Kindergarten-22 hours; Grades 1
through 6-18 hours; and Grades 7 through 12-12 hours.
Significant
Issues
The SDE indicates that home visits are an
important part of the kindergarten process because they can help children make
a smooth transition from the home setting to school. Programs serving young
children, such as Head Start and the Even Start Family Literacy Program,
recognize the benefits for children, families and schools, when parents and
family members become participants in their children’s education and their
lives.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
House bill 68 does not
contain an appropriation.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
None Noted.
OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES
The State Department
of Public Education raises the issue that with increased time for home visits,
the amount of instructional time in the classroom would be diminished. The
development of instructional programs and timelines would need to consider the
increased time for home visits and make modifications.
RMS/sb:njw