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

SPONSOR Nava

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2/6/06

HB

SHORT TITLE

State Agency Shared Student Data Systems

SJM 40

ANALYST Hoffmann

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Public Education Department (PED)

No Response From

Higher Education Department (HED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Senate Joint Memorial

Senate Joint Memorial 40 notes that the Higher Education Department, the Public Education De-

partment, the Children, Youth and Families Department and the Office of Workforce Training

and Development each have separate data tracking systems for New Mexicans. The Senate Joint

Memorial further notes that a seamless data system that tracks students from pre-kindergarten to

the workforce is a necessary component in determining if state education policies are working.

Senate Joint Resolution 40 recommends that these agencies work together to establish a com-

mon, shared student data system from pre-kindergarten to post-secondary levels of education in-

cluding adult basic education and training. It also requests that they report to the governor and

the legislature on their efforts to establish common, shared student data systems by November 1,

2007.

FISCAL IMPACT

The development of a common, shared data system serving the specified agencies would likely

be a large-scale information technology project. Such projects have historically cost millions of

dollars and carried high risks to their successful completion.

The Public Education Department states that if they were to use the student ID, the additional

cost of the effort would require approximately 10 hours of a Computer Specialist AOA ($48.55

plus 30% benefits) to attend meetings and work collaboratively with HED to develop a data shar-

ing system. The total is $.5. However, if not, the PED would need to expand the data model and

create separate data extraction software, which could cost close to $2,500.0. This should be part

of the November report. Further, building a new system would cost the millions.

Senate Joint Memorial 40 - Page

2

There would possibly be an impact on the involved agencies’ operating budgets as the complex-

ity of the data system and its administration could be greater than what each agency has now.

Maintenance of the single data system, including changes resulting from regulations or federal or

state legislation could present problems for sharing the costs among the agencies.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

The Senate Joint Memorial does not describe what kind of data would be captured on students. It

implies that the agencies involved would have joint custody and control of the data system, along

with joint responsibility for funding the operation and maintenance of the system.

The Public Education Department states that issues addressed by this legislation include:

•

Tracking our students after graduation is an important piece of program evaluation and

funding through a PreK-20 system;

•

In the past, we have not been able to track postsecondary graduates with accuracy;

•

Students with constant ID’s will be able to make a seamless transition through the sys-

tem; and

•

Duplication of services will be limited.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

The Public Education Department states that this bill does not impact the PED Performance

Measures but that it does support the PreK-20 Initiative of the state.

RELATIONSHIP

Senate Joint Memorial 40 is related to House Bill 91, which would require post-secondary insti-

tutions in New Mexico to use the student identifier issued by the Public Education Department.

CH/yr