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.

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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to HB3/aHEC

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

State Department of Public Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of HEC Amendment

The House Education Committee amendment replaces the word "democracy" with "United States Constitution" throughout the bill.

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 435 appropriates $75.0 from the general fund to SDE for the development of a program for teachers on the subject of democracy and the roles of citizens and government in society.

Significant Issues

This bill requires SDE to collaborate with nonpartisan civic and political education organizations and the University of New Mexico to develop the program curricula and lesson plans for all grades.

The democracy program should include accountability measures to ensure participants are adequately prepared to teach democracy and the role of government in society.

Public school teachers who have a contract with a school district to teach democracy, government, social studies, history or similar courses may be reimbursed the cost of tuition provided that they successfully complete the professional development program and meet the accountability requirements.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

House Bill 435 appropriates $75.0 to SDE for expenditure in fiscal year 2000. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 shall revert to the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

SDE indicates that this bill would create a new project for the department to oversee. Current staff could handle this project, however, if a significant number of special projects are approved, SDE would require additional staff.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

This bill relates to HB3/aHEC which appropriates $1,500.0 for the professional development of teachers.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

SDE suggests language that would require the program to align with the State Board of Education Social Studies Content Standards and Benchmarks.

CTF/njw