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SPONSOR: |
Duran, Dianna J. |
DATE TYPED: |
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HB |
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SHORT TITLE: |
Develop Workplace Literacy Plan |
SB |
SJM-69 |
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ANALYST: |
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APPROPRIATION
Appropriation
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Estimated
Additional Impact |
Recurring or
Non-Rec |
Fund Affected |
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FY03 |
FY04 |
FY03 |
FY04 |
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Please refer to Fiscal Impact Summary
State
Department of Education (SDE)
SUMMARY
Synopsis
of Bill
Senate Joint Memorial
69 requests the State Department of Education and Labor Department to
collaborate in developing a workplace literacy program and a plan to implement
the program during fiscal year 2005.
Significant
Issues
The memorial proposes to involve Adult Basic
Education providers, the Human Services Department, business and industry
representatives, the Commission on Higher Education, the Economic Development
Department, and literacy experts in developing the program, and they are to
present the plan to the Legislative Education Study Committee by
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
No appropriation is contained in the memorial. According to SDE the cost of convening a broadly representative group of stakeholders over a six month time period to develop both a statewide program and an implementation plan may be significant.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
Both the Department of
Labor and Department of Education will provide the staff to complete the plan
and provide the results to the LESC.
OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES
According to SDE, the
need and demand for literacy services have been rising annually. The 2000 US
Census indicates 22.3 % of New Mexicans age 18 or older have not graduated from
high school compared to 20.3% nationwide. In addition, 11.8 % of the
While the term
“literacy” is generally understood to mean ability to read and write, the term
“workplace literacy” has a somewhat broader interpretation, including upgrading
worker skills to meet the specific requirements of an employer or industry.