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

SPONSOR:	Nava		DATE TYPED:	2/18/03		HB
SHORT TITLE:		Statewide Service Learning Program				SB	467
					ANALYST:		Segura

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY03	FY04	FY03	FY04
	$350.0			Recurring	GF

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

State Department of Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 467 appropriates $350.0 to integrate public service learning opportunities into academic curricula.

Significant Issues

The State Department Education would collaborate with the Commission on Higher Education to ensure involvement of postsecondary educational institutions.

According to SDE, studies have shown that students who have successful service learning experiences are less likely to drop out of school and are more motivated to complete their programs of study.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

Senate Bill 467 appropriates $350.0 from the general fund and is recurring.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

None to SDE or public schools.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The State Department of Education states that the legislation proposes service learning experiences that align with the April 1997 Presidents’ Summit for America’s Future that provided a national call to action to fulfill the Five Promises for children and youth:

· Ongoing relationships with caring adults-parents, mentors, tutors and coaches;

· Safe places with structured activities during nonschool hours;

· Healthy start and future;

· Marketable skills though effective education; and

· Opportunities to give back through community service.

The bill supports the SDE’s performance measures relating to Academic Achievement and an increase in the percent and number of schools with grades 9-12 that have a dropout rate of 3% of less.

RMS/sb