Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports if they are used for other purposes.

Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are available on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us). Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may also 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	Miera		DATE TYPED	2/6/04		HB	162
SHORT TITLE		Certificates As Adequate Yearly Progress				SB
					ANALYST		Baca

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY04	FY05	FY04	FY05
	NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

New Mexico Department of Public Education (PED)

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 162 adds a new section to the Assessment and Accountability Act to read that a person who earns a general education development (GED) certificate within one year of leaving public school without graduating shall be reported in the graduation rate of the last public high school attended by that person.

Significant Issues

For the purpose of reporting annual yearly progress, the graduation rate for public high schools is currently reported in accordance with the New Mexico Accountability Workbook’s definition of graduation rates. The Workbook represents the approved agreement between the PED and the

U. S. Department of Education with respect to the State of New Mexico’s accountability system, and provides that “Students who drop out of school or enter a GED Program or receive a GED diploma will not be … included in the number of graduating students.” (See Conflicts section.)

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

There is no appropriation in this bill, but implementing the provisions of this bill will result in increased costs for the administration of the GED program.

CONFLICT

According to the PED, the provisions of this bill are in conflict with the requirements of 34 Code of Federal Regulations §200.19, which provides that “each State must use the following other academic indicators to determine AYP (annual yearly progress): …The percentage of students, measured from the beginning of high school, who graduate from high school with a regular diploma (not including an alternative degree that is not fully aligned with the State’s academic standards, such as a certificate or GED), in the standard number of years.”

RS/yr