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.
SPONSOR: |
Taylor, J.G. |
DATE TYPED: |
3/2/03 |
HB |
672/aHEC |
||
SHORT TITLE: |
Rio Grande HS Cluster Dropout Prevention Program |
SB |
|
||||
|
ANALYST: |
L. Baca |
|||||
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation
Contained |
Estimated
Additional Impact |
Recurring or
Non-Rec |
Fund Affected |
||
FY03 |
FY04 |
FY03 |
FY04 |
|
|
$350.0 |
|
|
|
Recurring |
GF |
(Parenthesis
( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
Relates to:
HB 246, CYFD Truancy Prevention Program
SB 404, Dropout Prevention in Certain
Counties
SB 606, At-Risk Youth Drug Demand
Reduction Program
SB 758, OCA Dropout Prevention and
Education Program
Relates
to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act
Responses
Received From
State
Department of Education (SDE)
Rio
Grande Education Collaborative (RGEC)
SUMMARY
Synopsis
of HEC Amendment
The amendments adopted by the House Education
Committee make the appropriation for fiscal years 2003 and 2004, add an
emergency clause, and “four-stage student re-engagement efforts” included in
the list of authorized activities.
Synopsis
of Original Bill
House Bill 672
appropriates $350.0 from the general fund to the State Department of Education
to support the Rio Grande High School cluster dropout prevention programs,
including mentorship and student leadership programs.
Significant
Issues
This bill addresses the need to establish and
sustain a highly successful high school dropout prevention program. The bill’s intent is consistent with
multi-year efforts across the state to reduce the number of students leaving
high school without earning a high school diploma.
The Rio Grande Educational Collaborative (RGEC)
is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is the improvement of public
education in New Mexico through:
1) Direct
services to students,
2) Professional
Development for Educators, and
3) Community
Development.
This is a public/private partnership whose
first-year was funded primarily through private donations from foundations and
private corporations, such as Public Service Company of New Mexico. This “pilot project” is unique and is
gaining success in reforming and improving the delivery of educational services
in Albuquerque’s South Valley schools.
The program cannot continue without state funding due to economic
conditions that have reduced the ability of the private sector to continue to
fund these activities.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of
$350.0 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.
The RGEC analysis reports that:
“The Rio Grande High School has seen its dropout rate plunge from 17.2% annual dropout in the FY 2000-2001 to 6.8% annual dropout in FY 2001-2002 due primarily through an innovative partnership with a non-profit organization, the Rio Grande Educational Collaborative (RGEC). RGEC utilized its 4-stage fourteen week intervention program entitled Student Reengagement Program to help students recover lost credits, engage parents in developing individual success plans and meaningful dialogue, family counseling, “hand’s-on” experiential learning, computer-based instruction, and working with school counselors to transition students back into the traditional high school setting. Additionally, using quality tools, Rio Grande High School (RGHS) with guidance by RGEC “re-designed” its approach to serving those children “at-risk” of dropping out by establishing a process whereby students who meet certain indicators are transferred to RGEC before dropping out.”
POSSIBLE QUESTIONS