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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

HB

SHORT TITLE NMSU Science and Math Outreach Programs

SB 144

ANALYST Escudero

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY08

FY09

$450.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

New Mexico State University - Science and Math

Outreach Programs (NMSU)

Public Education Department (PED)

Higher Education Department (HED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 144 appropriates $450,000 from the General Fund to the Board of Regents of New

Mexico State University (NMSU) for expenditure in FY09 to pay for coordination and expansion

of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational outreach programs.

The requested funds will support the establishment and initial operation of a statewide STEM

Success Center, to be located on the main campus of NMSU.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $450.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any

unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2009 shall revert to the

general fund.

This request was submitted by NMSU to the New Mexico Higher Education Department for

review, but is not included in the Departments funding recommendation for FY09.

Senate Bill 144 – Page

2

The HED’s evaluation table of FY09 Research and Public Service Projects provided to the LFC

classifies this project as a “supports state priorities" project. Reasons for this classification

decision are not provided. (LFC Report 07-20, Higher Education Department Review of

Selected Research and Public Service Projects, January 12, 2008, Table 4, p74.)

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

As stated by HED, according to NMSU, there are currently many successful STEM educational

outreach initiatives at work in different locations throughout New Mexico and sponsored by

various institutions. There are also government and private sector initiatives to promote success

in STEM subjects. The purpose of SB144 is to establish a statewide STEM Success Center to

coordinate and evaluate all existing STEM initiatives throughout the State of New Mexico.

According to NMSU- Math and Science Outreach Programs, the STEM Success Center will be a

statewide partnering of long-term systemic efforts by the Governor’s office, the Legislature, the

Public Education Department, businesses, and LANL to improve technology, mathematics, and

science education in New Mexico.

The Center will provide research on best practices and increase collaborative opportunities to

strengthen the nation’s future STEM workforce and bolster U.S. capacity for global

competitiveness in science and engineering.

Committees will be formed with members of the advisory board, as well as management partners

in order to accomplish our goals. Through our website, newsletters, and other communication

avenues, all members will be informed. The Center’s goals will include:

o

Providing a networking organization that builds information on all STEM

education efforts in the state by all stakeholders, gathering evidence-based

outcomes, and identifying Best Practices in STEM and brings them to scale.

o

Enlarge the pipeline by systematically collaborating and combining resources

from all sectors of the state, including formal and informal education, partnerships

with labs and businesses, and participation by all post-secondary institutions.

o

Examine/increase the state’s internal capacity to improve teaching and learning.

o

Strengthen teachers’ ability to engage students in STEM disciplines through

summer institutes, distance education, business, national lab and school district

partnerships that provide ongoing and sustained professional development.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

As stated by HED, the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires science teachers to

demonstrate that they are highly qualified either in a broad field science or individual fields of

science. The STEM Success Center helps New Mexico school districts comply with this mandate

by providing access to specialized professional development for teachers that emphasizes STEM

learning for all New Mexico students.

In order for our children to succeed and become the next generation of scientists, engineers, and

successful citizens, it is imperative that professional development opportunities that improve

STEM content knowledge of teachers as well as modeling good, sound pedagogy are available.

Senate Bill 144 – Page

3

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

As stated by HED, the STEM Success Center will have a management team, an advisory board,

and numerous management partnerships throughout the state. Committees will be formed with

members of the advisory board as well as management partners. The center will work with

economic development organizations around the state to advance the technologically capable

workforce across New Mexico.

WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL

According to NMSU, currently, there are many STEM educational outreach initiatives at work in

various locations throughout the state, sponsored by various institutions. There are also

government and private sector initiatives to promote success in STEM subjects. Unless these

efforts are coordinated, and unless systemic and far-sighted collaboration among government,

private sector and education takes place, low academic achievement and sustainable economic

prosperity will not be possible for the majority of New Mexicans. STEM education targets

underrepresented students, a majority in New Mexico, and within these populations lie the

greatest potential for growth and sustainable prosperity for the future.

PME/bb