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)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Commission for Higher Education (CHE)

CHE Files - Special Funding Requests Submitted by NMSU

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 20 appropriates $500.0 to New Mexico State University (NMSU) to cultivate math and science achievement of border region public school students by making collegiate curriculum adjustments and systemic changes to math and science education programs in public schools.

Significant Issues

According to the CHE, the New Mexico Border Initiative at New Mexico State University proposes to collaborate with Regional Educational Centers 9 and 10 to establish standards-based curriculum changes for math and science, promote parent/community involvement in their children's math and science education, and develop a regional leadership team to align educational and community resources directed at math/science education and professional development activities with national and state math/science standards. The goal is to improve border region Terra Nova scores in math and science that lag far behind those of the rest of the state.

This is a new program and has not previously sought state funding.

All New Mexico higher education institutions were asked to provide to the CHE with an overall priority listing of all new and expansion research and public service project requests. NMSU provided a categorical priority list. The NMSU board of Regents ranked this request as the ninth priority in their second category.

The Commission did not recommend expansion funding for this program.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $500.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY02 shall revert to the general fund.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

House Bill 21 appropriates $100,000 to New Mexico State University to increase participation in the programs of two organizations New Mexico Alliance for Minority Participation (NMAMP) and the Regional Alliance for Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology for Students with Disabilities (RASEM). These programs are committed to improving student preparation for successful post-secondary math, science, engineering, and technology study.

LG/prr