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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Picraux
DATE TYPED 2/20/05
HB 728
SHORT TITLE Human Rights School Education Program
SB
ANALYST Wilson
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY05
FY06
FY05
FY06
$150.0
Recurring
GF
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)
Public Education Department (PED)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
House Bill 728 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 Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department’s initiatives in reduc-
ing juvenile violence. This initiative 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 workers, parents and students in middle, high school and alternative
students in Bernalillo County.
pg_0002
House Bill 728-- Page 2
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 was taken. The data
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 revenge. Data also showed a long term understanding of the negative consequences
of gang member-ship.
Teachers are continually looking for good resources by which to better prepare their students in a
changing world.
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 our 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