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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 2/20/05

HB 676

SHORT TITLE Albuquerque Art-Based At-Risk Mentoring

SB

ANALYST Baca

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$100.0

Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

Relates to SB836 and SB926

Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Public Education Department (PED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 676 appropriates $100 thousand from the general fund to the Public Education De-

partment (PED) for expenditure in FY06 for the provision of art-based mentoring to students at-

risk of dropping our within the Albuquerque Public School district.

Significant Issues

According to the PED website, the Albuquerque Public Schools district (APS) covers, 1,178

square miles and provides instruction to an estimated 93,338 students during the 2004-04 school

year. Approximately 16.3 percent of these students, or 15,200, are classified as being at the pov-

erty level. Numerous studies suggest a direct relationship between a student’s socio-economic

status and being at-risk of dropping out. Admittedly, students of all socio-economic levels can be

classified as at-risk students, and they all need incentives to stay in school. These incentives may

include activities that generate student interest in activities such as art with these activities being

reinforced by a role model, or mentor, to whom students can relate.

House Bill 676 -- Page 2

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

The activities proposed by this bill can contribute to the PED’s goal of decreasing student drop-

out rates and to providing more activities that can contribute to a student’s success in school.

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 FY06 shall revert to the

general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The art-based monitoring program will be administered by PED with existing staff and may con-

tract with APS for the implementation of the program.

RELATIONSHIP

HB676 relates to SB836, Grant County Youth Mentoring Program and to SB926, Youth Mentor-

ing Program.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The PED analysis notes:

• According to a 2002 U.S. Department of Education publication, New Mexico had the

5th-highest high school dropout rate in the nation at 6.0% (the national rate at that time

was 4.8%). The PED’s last published dropout rate for New Mexico is 4.5% from school

year 2002-2003. New Mexico’s dropout rate has been steadily decreasing from high rates

such as 8.7% in 1994-1995.

• According to the 2002-2003 Dropout Report, APS had a 4.1% dropout rate.

• Factors contributing to high school dropout are complex and multi-faceted. They include

teenage pregnancy, poor academic performance, poor attendance, history of changing

schools frequently, history of discipline referrals and low educational and occupational

aspirations. Truancy is a major risk factor for dropouts. One national study indicates that

80% of dropouts were chronically truant before dropping out. Additionally, Hispanic, Na-

tive American and male students are more likely to dropout of school.

WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL.

If this bill is not enacted, the art-based mentoring activities will no be available to students in

with the APS district.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

1.

What activities are currently available within the APS district for at-risk youth.

2.

What is the estimated number of at-risk youth with whom this program will work.

3.

Will this program’s activities be confined to any particular area within the district.

LB/yr