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

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Stewart , M.

 

DATE TYPED:

3/3/03

 

HB

68

 

SHORT TITLE:

Home Visits and Conferences

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

Segura

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

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