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

SPONSOR:	Stewart		DATE TYPED:	2/1/04		HB	HJM 10
SHORT TITLE:		Study Statewide Pre-Kindergarten Programs				SB
					ANALYST:		L. Baca

APPROPRIATION

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

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates SJM 14

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC files

SUMMARY

New Mexico Public Education Department (PED)

Synopsis of Bill

House Joint Memorial requests that the PED and the Child Development Board (CDB) study:

· the program currently offered by licensed preschools to four year old children and amend and align the standards of those programs to ensure that the children served will be prepared for kindergarten,

· the feasibility of phasing in voluntary statewide pre-kindergarten programs, and

· include a review of the methods and results of the kindergarten pilot program for possible implementation statewide.

The results of the study and recommendations are to be reported to the Legislative Education Study Committee.

Significant Issues

The PED reports that the agency has for many years implemented and advocated for the implementation of early childhood education programs. Among these programs are included Reading First, Kindergarten Plus, Title I preschool and the Even Start Family Literacy Program. The PED also reports that the New Mexico Department of Health is developing a statewide strategic plan for early childhood and family support, and that the Department of Children, Family and Youth Department continue to develop an infrastructure to support system of high quality early care education to prepare children for success in school.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

HJM 10 does not carry an appropriation but the study requested is comprehensive and will require that resources of the PED and CDB be utilized. The costs for conducting this study should be developed so the agencies involved can determine whether the study can be conducted within available resources.

LB/lg