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.

 

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

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Nunez

 

DATE TYPED:

2/20/03

 

HB

474/aHEC

 

SHORT TITLE:

Border Region Math and Science Education

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

L. Baca

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

$400.0

 

 

Recurring

GF

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

Relates to Appropriation for New Mexico State University n the General Appropriation Act

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

 

State Department of Education (SDE)

New Mexico State University (NMSU)

 

SUMMARY

  

  Synopsis of HEC Amendments

 

The amendment adopted by the House Education Committee adds a program evaluation requirement:

 

“A plan for a program evaluation, including specific program goals and criteria for assessing program effectiveness, shall be submitted to the Legislative Finance Committee and the Commission on Higher Education by October 1, 2004.  An assessment of the program will be completed prior to June 30, 2005, and submitted to the Legislative Finance Committee and the Commission on Higher Education.”

 

     Synopsis of Original Bill

 

House Bill 474 appropriates $400.0 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of New Mexico State University for an initiative that partners with kindergarten through twelfth grade students in Southern New Mexico to significantly increase math and science achievement for all students in rural counties in proximity to the Mexican border.

 

     Significant Issues

 

New Mexico students consistently score low on math and science tests.  According to the NMSU analysis, border area children score lower than the rest of the state, are not meeting learning expectations in science and math and, consequently, many are not successfully completing high school or pursuing a college education.

 

This bill addresses some of the causes for the under-achievement in these two subjects, such as:

 

  • lack of alignment between taught curriculum and state content standards, 
  • low performance on math and science tests by all New Mexico students,
  • inadequate preparation of seniors entering post-secondary institutions, and
  • need for professional training for instructional and administrative staff.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $400.0 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

 

NMSU reports it will absorb the additional responsibilities and costs (about $40.0) associated with implementing the provisions of the bill.  The appropriation requested will be used to support costs associated with staffing.  Also, NMSU will use matching grant funds from the federal government and private industry to promote the goals of the Border Initiative. 

 

POSSIBLE QUESTONS

 

1.                  What activities are currently underway to strengthen instruction in science and math in school districts that would participate in the border Initiative?

2.                  If any, how successful have they been?

3.                  Even though scores in math and science tests are consistently low, are students making any “progress”?

 

LRB/sb