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	Martinez		DATE TYPED	01/27/04		HB
SHORT TITLE		Baccalaureate Program in Teacher Education				SB	312
					ANALYST		Baca

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY04	FY05	FY04	FY05
	$100.0			Recurring	General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

Relates to HB 31, HB 95, HB 121, SB 163 & SB 182

Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Commission on Higher Education (CHE) Funding Recommendations for FY05

Responses Received From

CHE

New Mexico Public Education Department (PED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 312 appropriates $100 thousand to the Board of Regents of Northern New Mexico State School (NNMCC) and authorizes the regents to develop, implement and seek accreditation for a baccalaureate degree in teacher education for the Espanola campus.

Significant Issues

The PED reports there are thirteen teacher education programs in New Mexico, and, while a teacher shortage still exists, it is no longer severe. However, a teacher shortage continues in selected areas, such as science, math, special education and bilingual education.

NNMCC has for seven years successfully conducted an alternative teacher education program for persons already holding a bachelor’s degree. Implementing a baccalaureate program will expand opportunities in the region. The PED is responsible for certifying programs leading to teacher licensure and would be involved in approving this program so its graduate can become licensed teachers.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $100 thousand contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY05 shall revert to the general fund.

HB 33 relates to:

HB 31, Mid School Science and Math Teacher Training

HB 95, Math and Science Teacher Development,

HB 120, “Student” in Teacher Loan for Service Act,

SB 163, Northern NM State School Teacher Program

SB 182, Mid School Science and Math Teacher Training

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

This proposal is not among the program expansion items submitted to the CHE by the NNMCC Board of Regents. Consequently the Commission did not consider the request.

AMENDMENTS

The following language is suggested for all new recurring higher education programs and expansion of current programs (assuming that funding will continue beyond FY05):

“The institution receiving the appropriation in this bill shall submit a program evaluation to the Legislative Finance Committee, the Public Education Department and the Commission on Higher Education by August 2007 detailing the benefits to the State of New Mexico from having implemented this program over a three period.”

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

1. How was the need for this program determined?

2. Does NNMCC currently have staff qualified to provide all or part of the curriculum?

3. Will attempts be made to train teachers for critical areas such as math, science, special education and\bilingual education?

LB/yr