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

Nava

DATE TYPED

02/5/04

HB

 

 

SHORT TITLE

Continue NMSU Saber y Hacer Curriculum

SB

400

 

 

ANALYST

Baca

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY04

FY05

FY04

FY05

 

$30.0

 

 

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

 

Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Commission on Higher Education Funding Recommendations for FY05 (CHE)

 

Responses Received From

New Mexico Department of Public Education (PED)

NMSU, College of Education

 

SUMMARY

 

Synopsis of Bill

 

Senate Bill 400 appropriates $30 thousand from the general fund to the Board of Regents of NMSU to continue development of the Saber y Hacer curriculum to provide college preparatory training statewide for Hispanic students.

 

Significant Issues

 

Academic achievement data show a significant achievement gap between Hispanic students and other student groups in New Mexico’s public schools, and this lack of achievement may well be related to the high dropout rate among Hispanic students.  Educational research has shown that, in order to reduce this gap, efforts must come from different educational entities, parents and community groups.  The ENLACE Saber y Hacer Curriculum addresses the Hispanic dropout rate by creating a 6th-12th college preparation curriculum to be taught during the school years in the classroom. This curriculum will be integrated into the regular curriculum and used statewide by teachers serving Hispanic students.

NMSU reports that continuing the development and eventual implementation of the ENLACE Saber y Hacer Curriculum will make a significant impact on Hispanic students in New Mexico’s public schools by:

 

    • Improving academic achievement and as a consequence reducing the achievement gap;
    • Decreasing the dropout rate;
    • Improving the attendance rate and reducing discipline problems;
    • Increasing the student attendance rate at institutions of higher education;
    • Involving parents and community in their children’s education; and

Improving student self-esteem and identity.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $30 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.

 

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUE

 

In the interest of accountability and in accordance with established CHE practices, the institution receiving the appropriation in this bill shall submit a program evaluation to the Legislative Finance Committee and the Commission on Higher Education at a time specified by the Commission detailing the benefits to the State of New Mexico from having implemented this program.

 

This program was not among the requests for FY05 funding submitted by the NMSU Board of Regents to the CHE.  Consequently, the Commission did not review the request.

 

RLG/prr