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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Nava
DATE TYPED 2/12/05
HB
SHORT TITLE Strengthening Quality in Schools Initiative
SB 833
ANALYST Chabot
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY05
FY06
FY05
FY06
$1,000.0
Recurring General Fund
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
Duplicates SB 298 except for title
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)
Response Not Received From
Public Education Department (PED)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Bill 833 appropriates $1 million from the general fund to PED for the purpose of
strengthening the quality in schools (SQS) initiative.
Significant Issues
According to DFA, SQS is a Governor’s initiative to provide the expertise needed to develop a
world-class quality education system for New Mexico. It uses a variety of aspects of education
using Total Quality Management principles. The project includes training, tools and support
necessary for improving student performance. For the past year PED has been involved in a
partnership with the Governor’s Business Executives for Education (GBEE) primarily for those
schools in need of improvement (SINOI) and specifically for the schools in Restructuring II.
PED has developed the “No Excuses” School Improvement Framework (SIF) to address specific
pg_0002
Senate Bill 833 -- Page 2
needs and provide an intervention by PED as required by the federal No Child Left Behind
(NCLB) act. SIF consists of three components: identification of a priority school; diagnostic
assessment; and technical assistance. SIF is based upon the continuous improvement model of
SQS. PED has contracted with Jim Shipley and Associates to implement the SIF.
According to DFA, there are 19 priority schools but the number is expected to increase to 50-55
schools in school year 2005-06. PED has indicated without the funding, it will be unable to meet
NCLB requirements or existing staff will have to be reassigned.
However, according to DFA, the request for SQS funds was not included in the Executive Rec-
ommendation.
PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS
Specific, measurable objectives should be developed for this initiative to evaluate the program’s
effectiveness.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of $1 million contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund.
Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2006 shall revert
to the general fund.
The LFC FY06 appropriation recommendation is balanced between revenues and expenditures
and any increase in recurring funding must be offset by reductions in other areas of the recom-
mendation. The Legislature must consider all priorities and funding requirements to find reve-
nue to support this legislation.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
Section 22-2A-7I NMSA 1978 has four options to be taken if a school in restructuring II fails to
make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for two consecutive school years. These are reopen the
school as a charter school, replace all or most of the staff as required by law, turn over manage-
ment of the school to PED; or make other governance changes. Section 22-2A-7K NMSA 1978
restricts the state or school from entering to agreements with private entities for the management
of a school or district subject to corrective action. To prevent these statutes from governing
schools, PED and the districts need to ensure schools in restructuring II get the needed assistance
to meet AYP.
ALTERNATIVES
PED could develop the capacity to provide the required services to school districts with existing
staff.
pg_0003
Senate Bill 833 -- Page 3
WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL.
Restructuring II schools may not get the services needed to make AYP.
POSSIBLE QUESTIONS
1.
How will this appropriation be used to assist school districts.
2.
How will success be determined.
3.
Why is the number of priority schools expected to increase from 19 to over 50.
4.
What is being done currently to assist schools that are likely to become priority schools.
GAC/rs