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 a vailable 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 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 1/31/05

HB

SHORT TITLE Gifted Education Program Advisory Committee

SB 185

ANALYST Hanika-Ortiz

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Public Education Department

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

SB 185 amends Section 22-13-6.1 NMSA 1978, Section 1, paragraphs A and B by replacing

“state board” with the term “department” as entity responsible for adopting the educational stan-

dards used to determine a child as “gifted” in the New Mexico public schools.

SB 185 also amends Section 1, paragraph C allowing a school district to form one gifted advi-

sory committee or as many committees as there are high schools. Language is also added para-

graph C clarifying the enrollment of culturally relevant membership reflective of the school or

district the committee advises.

Significant Issues

SB 185 would increase the possibility of having committees formed that is more representative

of the student population allowing for easier identification of students.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

PED maintains SB 185 supports the PED’s initiatives to develop a district wide continuum of

services from Kindergarten through the 12

th

grade.

Senate Bill 185 -- Page 2

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The more children identified as eligible for a “gifted” curriculum, the greater the impact on

school district staff and resources.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The Public Education Department reports that current statute requires every school with a gifted

program form a gifted advisory committee that represents the population of the school.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

The term “gifted” is used when describing a person, such as “gifted student”, whereas a “gifted

education program” is for students who have been identified as “gifted”, under very specific cri-

teria identified by the PED.

In addition, Section 1, paragraph D, has very vague terms used for identification purposes listed

as #’s 1 through 4. More specific criteria such as reading and math achievement scores or other

more descriptive terms would help in clarifying the “departments” standards for gifted determi-

nation.

ALTERNATIVES

The state board will continue to be responsible for adopting and ensuring implementation of the

standards used to determine if a child qualifies for a gifted program.

WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL.

School districts will continue to be expected to form a gifted advisory committee at schools of-

fering a gifted education program.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

How many children in New Mexico are currently labeled as “gifted”.

How many of those children labeled “gifted” are minority or low income.

If a child does not qualify under the district’s assessment, can the family appeal the decision.

If appealed, does an “outside of district” assessment establish “giftedness” for the PED’s pur-

poses of placement.

AHO/lg