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 Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

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

SPONSOR:	Salazar		DATE TYPED:	2/25/03		HB	484/aHEC
SHORT TITLE:		Middle School Teachers Science and Math Training				SB
					ANALYST:		L. Baca

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY03	FY04	FY03	FY04
	$260.0			Recurring	GF

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

HB 484 is identical to SB 196

Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC files

Responses Received From

State Department of Education (SDE)

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of HEC Amendment

The amendment adopted by the House Education Committee adds an evaluation component as recommended by the CHE:

“The institution receiving the appropriation in this bill shall submit a program evaluation to the Legislative Finance Committee and the Commission on Higher Education by June 30, 2005 detailing the benefits to the State of New Mexico from having this program implemented for a three-year period.”

Synopsis of Original Bill

House Bill 484 appropriates $260.0 from the general fund to the Commission on Higher Education (CHE) for expenditure in fiscal year 2004 to provide a professional development program for middle school teachers to improve their skills, knowledge and teaching techniques in mathematics, science and technology.

Significant Issues

Statistics reported by SDE and the National Assessment for Education Project (NAEP) show New Mexico middle school students scoring low on math and science tests. This suggests a need for expanded and continued professional development in science and mathematics for middle school teachers. It is expected that these activities will be aligned with professional development plans developed by school districts and the districts’ Plans for Student Success (EPSS).

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $260.0 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 CHE reports this bill will have an unknown impact of the CHE.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

The SDE suggests the bill’s sponsor consider including language that encourages alignment between this effort and those currently administered by SDE. SDE also recommends that the bill include language that requires close collaboration between SDE and CHE.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

This proposal was not presented to the CHE for review, consequently, it is not in the funding

recommendations submitted by CHE to the legislature.

The CHE suggests the following language for all new recurring higher education programs and expansion of current programs (assuming that funding will continue beyond 2002-2003):

“The institution receiving the appropriation in this bill submit a program evaluation to the Legislative Finance Committee and the Commission on higher Education by August 2005 detailing the benefits to the State of New Mexico from having implemented this program over a three period.”

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

1. Should this proposal have been submitted to the CHE for review?

2. Which groups are the primary supporters of this proposal?

LRB/njw:sb