March 8, 1999

Mr. Speaker:

Your CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, to whom has been referred

has had it under consideration and reports same with the following recommendations:

1. The following senate finance committee amendments be APPROVED:

Nos. 6 and 8.

2. The following senate finance committee amendments be DISAPPROVED:

Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7.

3. The following house education committee amendments be APPROVED:

Nos. 1, 4, 5 and 6.

4. The following house education committee amendments be DISAPPROVED:

Nos. 2 and 3.

and that the bill be amended further as follows:

5. On page 5, line 4, strike "1,438,272.2" and insert in lieu thereof "1,433,571.2".

6. On page 5, line 6, strike "72,957.9" and insert in lieu thereof "73,539.5".

7. On page 5, line 7, strike "3,503.8" and insert in lieu thereof "3,203.8".

8. On page 5, line 8, strike "12,126.5" and insert in lieu thereof "11,926.5".

9. On page 5, line 19, strike "ten million dollars ($10,000,000)" and insert in lieu thereof "five million dollars ($5,000,000)".

10. On page 5, strike lines 20 through 22 from "childhood" up to the period and insert in lieu thereof "literacy programs".

11. On pages 5, line 23, strike "optional preschool and".

12. On page 5, line 24, strike "developmental and", strike "age three" and insert in lieu thereof "kindergarten" and strike "two" and insert in lieu thereof "three".

13. On page 5, beginning with "Such" strike the remainder of line 24 and strike all of line 25.

14. On page 6, line 1, before "intensive" insert "These programs shall include" and strike "second" and after "grade" insert "three".

15. On page 6, line 2, strike "enter" and insert in lieu thereof "complete".

16. On page 6, lines 4 and 5, strike "six and one-half" and insert in lieu thereof "statewide average six and one quarter".

17. On page 6, line 5, strike "at least an average five" and insert in lieu thereof "a statewide average five and one quarter".

18. On page 6, strike lines 7 through 14 in their entirety.

19. On page 6, between lines 3 and 4, insert: "By July 1, 1999, the department shall develop an approval process for literacy programs, disseminate instructions for that process to all school districts and provide technical assistance in developing proposals. For the purposes of the distribution for early literacy education the number of early literacy education program units is determined by multiplying the number of children in programs for kindergarten through grade three by the school district's at-risk index multiplied by .279. The department shall define approval criteria, establish content standards and benchmarks that ensure students' progress and provide accountability to the public. The department shall monitor early literacy programs, ensure that they serve the children most in need based upon age-appropriate assessments, compile the program results submitted by the school districts and make an annual report to the legislative education study committee. If the department determines that a program is not meeting the benchmarks necessary to ensure the progress of students in the program, the department shall notify the district that failure of the program to meet the benchmarks within sixty days will result in the cessation of funding for the program. Also included in the state equalization guarantee distribution is one million one hundred forty-three thousand four hundred dollars ($1,143,400) for the purpose of funding a statewide early childhood program modeled after the even-start program.".

20. On page 7, strike lines 18 through 23 in their entirety.

21. Adjust all totals and subtotals accordingly.

22. On page 9, between lines 20 and 21, insert:

"DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND

ADMINISTRATION:

(a) Student Alternative Act 2,500.0

The general fund appropriation of two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) for the Student Alternative Act is contingent upon Senate Bill 173 of the first session of the forty-fourth legislature becoming law.".

23. Adjust all totals and subtotals accordingly.

24. On page 9, between lines 21 and 22, insert the following:

"The appropriation of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for the career education opportunity program shall be used as maintenance of effort for the federal Carl Perkins Act.".

25. Adjust all total and subtotals accordingly.

Respectfully submitted,

_____________________________

Rick Miera

_____________________________

Roberto Gonzales

_____________________________

W. C."Dub" Williams

Adopted___________________ Not Adopted___________________

(Chief Clerk) (Chief Clerk)

Date ______________