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

SPONSOR Stapleton

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2/4/2006

HB 479

SHORT TITLE UNM Web-Based Math & Science Curriculum

SB

ANALYST Earp

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY06

FY07

$150.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Higher Education Department (HED)

Public Education Department (PED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 479 appropriates $150,000 from the general fund to the Board of Regents of the Uni-

versity of New Mexico for the Charlie Morrisey Research Hall to provide a distance learning,

web-based mathematics and science curriculum using the cyberquest web-based learning pro-

gram and robotic teacher software.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $150,000 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund.

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2007 shall revert

to the general fund.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

This proposal was not included among the special program funding requests submitted by the

University of New Mexico to the Higher Education Department (HED) for review. Conse-

quently, this proposal has not been included in the HED fiscal year 2007 funding recommenda-

House Bill 479 – Page

2

tions to the Legislature.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

PED reports that this proposal aligns to the Public School Support measures to raise student

achievement on the criterion-referenced assessments in mathematics and science.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

UNM would bear administrative responsibility for the requested funds.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

HED provided information indicating that the program is a web-based math-science curriculum

offered in collaboration with the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS). Currently, APS receives

support from UNM to carry out the distance learning curriculum. The funding requested in this

bill is for teacher stipends and software support. There are about 10 teachers involved with ap-

proximately 100 students. The computerized learning system will target middle and high school

students with an emphasis on core mathematic concepts and skills. Algebra is recognized as the

“gate-keeper” course for successful completion of high school and post-secondary education.

Students having difficulties with algebra are generally not able to enter and/or complete either a

two- or four-year college program.

The Cyber Quest computerized learning system provides supplemental materials that engage

students in individualized learning in pre-algebra, algebra I, algebra II, advanced placement

physics, and physical science. Developed at MIT, the program has been available since 2002 to

increase student understanding in challenging math content that prepares them for entering the

nation’s top universities. The software provides web-based courses that use customized interac-

tive assignments with embedded assessments, adaptive tools to help students understand missed

questions, and management tools with the ability to create, deliver, and grade customized as-

signments and tests.

DKE/nt