NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to Duplicates Senate Bill 50

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

State Department of Public Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

This bill amends the Bilingual Multicultural Education Act to include dual language immersion programs and appropriates $250.0 to SDE for implementation of new programs.

Significant Issues

It should be noted, funding for bilingual education programs are funded through the public school funding formula based on a program approval process. This bill appropriates funds for bilingual education programs outside the public school funding formula and could raise potential equity issues.

According to SDE, this bill is an initiative supported by the State Board of Education and requested in the public school support package. Dual immersion education merges successful aspects of bilingual education for speakers of languages other than English and structured immersion education for English speakers. Its goals are to promote literacy and academic achievement in two languages.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

This bill appropriates $250.0 from the general fund to SDE for expenditure in fiscal year 2000 to implement dual language immersion programs. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 200 shall revert.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

SDE indicates that current staff could administer the dual language immersion program.

DUPLICATION

This bill duplicates Senate Bill 50.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

SDE recommends that an additional $25.0 be appropriated for purposes of evaluating the dual language immersion pilot programs.

CTF/njw