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 SFl
DATE TYPED 03/09/05 HB
SHORT TITLE High School Graduation Exam Standards
SB 647/SFlS
ANALYST Chabot
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY05
FY06
FY05
FY06
See Narrative
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)
Public Education Department (DFA)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Bill 647 amends Section 22-13-1.1 NMSA 1978 (Graduation Requirements) to qualify
for high school graduation beginning in 2009-10 school year, the eleventh grade standards-based
academic performance test required by Section 22-2C-4 NMSA 1978 (Assessment and Account-
ability) will be used as the state graduation examination. Students not passing the test, shall re-
ceive a certificate indicating the credits earned and the grade completed. However, if the student
passes the 11
th
grade test within 5 years of leaving school, the student may receive a high school
diploma. The local school board must develop a next step plan to each high school student that
includes the requirements for receiving a high school diploma. Minor editing to align the statute
with PED are also included.
Significant Issues
DFA assesses “a growing number of state as requiring students to pass exit examinations in order
to receive high school diplomas. As of 2004, twenty states had mandatory exit exams in place
with another five phasing in such exams by 2009.” In addition, in the next several years, the
federal No Child Left Behind may require mandatory testing in 10
th
and 11
th
grades. However,