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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,
pg_0002
Senate Bill 647/SFlS -- Page 2
exit exams can have negative impacts on student motivation and persistence if they fail possibly
leading to increase dropouts. Proponents show that exit exams aligned to curriculum and state
standards with remedial assistance when needed can lead systematic improvement in student
achievement.
The substitute bill addresses PED’s concern about courts generally have held that three to five
years’ notice is required to meet due process requirements for changing graduation requirements
by implementing the change in 2009-2010.
PED is also concerned the bill could have an adverse impact of high school graduation rates as
happened when the passing score for the High School Competency Examination was raised by
25 points in 2000-2001.
PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS
The testing requirement may lead to better performance in student proficiency on criterion-
reference tests.
PED has a plan for the 11
th
grade assessment to replace the High School Competency Exam as
the state’s exit exam in Spring 2008.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The bill has no appropriation; some administrative expenses may result from the testing require-
ment. PED assesses these costs will be substantial particularly if students are allowed multiple
retests until they pass. Costs are estimated at $60-80 per student and 55 percent of students sta-
tistically will score below proficiency in at least one area and will need to retest. The department
estimates 18,000 extra tests may be required at an additional cost of $1.3 million plus additional
costs for test administration. PED estimates its costs for contract administration at $70 thousand.
Without funding for this new requirement, districts will have to shift funding from other educa-
tional priorities.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
DFA points out test scores must be accurately recorded and results received in sufficient time to
allow remedial assistance if needed by a student.
WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL.
The High School Competency Examination will remain the exit exam for high school students.
POSSIBLE QUESTIONS
1.
If only the 11
th
grade test is used to determine graduation, will it be a disincentive to 12
th
grade students.
GAC/njw