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

SPONSOR Feldman

DATE TYPED 2/26/05

HB

SHORT TITLE Public School Human Rights Education

SB 907

ANALYST Hadwiger/Wilson

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$150.0

Recurring General Fund

Duplicates HB728.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)

Public Education Department (PED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 907 appropriates $150 thousand from the general fund to DFA for the Bernalillo

County Sheriff's Department (BCSD) to contract with a program already developed and success-

fully field-tested to present human rights education programs in the public schools that integrate

the social and emotional development of the student while meeting state-mandated educational

achievement goals, state standards and benchmarks.

The BCSD has partnered with the New Mexico Foundation for Human Rights Projects

(NMFHRP) in the past to conduct the pilot program.

Significant Issues

This appropriation will support the BCSD’s initiatives in reducing juvenile violence. This initia-

tive will establish partnerships with law enforcement, criminal justice agencies, schools and

youth service providers. The program hopes to impact more than 30,000 students in Bernalillo

County. The proposed program will work with targeted audiences: teachers, counselors, social

Senate Bill 907-- Page 2

workers, parents and students in middle, high school and alternative students in Bernalillo

County.

The goal of the program is to challenge youths to think critically about their own behavior, as-

sume greater personal responsibility for their actions, recognize and reject all forms of prejudice

and violence and to deal more sensitively with others.

The pilot program was designed for a human rights school education program to reduce youth

violence through partnerships with law enforcement agencies, criminal justice agencies, schools,

and youth service providers. A Violence Impact Forum was held in 2003 and 2004 and was at-

tended by more than 4,000 students. 1,000 were turned away due to space limitations. A ran-

dom sample of these students in a pre, post, and 45-day post event survey shows that students

reported learning that violence is wrong, the importance of making good and positive choices

and avoiding risky behaviors, of the need to choose their friends carefully, and to not seek re-

venge. Data also showed a long term understanding of the negative consequences of gang mem-

bership.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $150 thousand 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.

This appropriation will provide for program development and implementation, salaries for a pro-

gram director, part time program assistant, and a part time program evaluator.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

BCSD partners with agencies that in turn contract with independent contractors. NMFHRP con-

tracted with Davis Innovations, a public health and human service consulting firm to conduct

independent evaluations of their programs and events. The evaluations determine program satis-

faction, curriculum effectiveness, socioeconomic factors, and violence prevention indicators.

Information gathered is utilized to improve programs and to assist in identifying future program

needs.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The New Mexico Content Standards and Benchmarks, and especially the Civics and Government

Strand were written to support students’ understanding of the importance of each person as an

individual, the importance of respect for the human and civil rights of all people and our shared

heritage.

Under Benchmark III of Civics and Government (K-12), students are expected to be able to:

• Examine issues of human rights (Grade 4)

• Understand the multiplicity and complexity of human rights issues (Grade 8)

• Evaluate standards, conflicts and issues related to universal human rights and their impact

on public policy (Grades 9-12)

DW/njw:yr