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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

State Department of Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

This bill appropriates $915.8 for the purpose of participating in the Rio Grande educational collaborative that will reduce the dropout rate and expose students in grades K-12 to college and career opportunities through service learning, teacher professional development and mentorship through business communications in the following amounts: $195.2 to the Governing Board of the Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute, $304.0 to the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico, $416.6 to the State Department of Education for the use in the Albuquerque Public School system.

Significant Issues

According to the SDE, Rio Grande High School has a 10% yearly drop-out rate and nearly 38% of students drop-out over a four year period. The cluster has an average literacy rate at two years below grade level and staff turnover is high which indicates the difficult nature of teaching in an area of such high need.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $915.8 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY00 shall revert to the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The budget includes allowance for indirect costs at the rate of 10% at both UNM and Albuquerque TVI. Currently the staff from UNM and TVI are working from grant monies which expire June 30^th , 1999. The portion for Albuquerque Public Schools teacher stipends will be directed and distributed through Albuquerque TVI's Summer Professional Development Program and After School Professional Development.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The primary purpose of the Rio Grande Educational Collaboration is to expose students to career options while encouraging them to attend college. Other goals include: 1) reduce the drop out rate; 2) provide after school academic programs; 3) increase student performance in reading, math, science and technology; 4) enhance opportunities for parents and students through existing programs; 5) increase student involvement in their schools and community; 6) increase the number of post- secondary students; 7) increase teacher skills in innovative learning styles through the collaboration between UNM, TVI, and the business community; 8) provide faculty, staff and administration with training, incentives and learning opportunities; 9) provide a real world project for educational learning for adults and students; and 10) provide mentorship opportunities for students and professionals.

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