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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Smith DATE TYPED: 02/15/01 HB
SHORT TITLE: WNMU Network For Web-Based Teacher Licensure SB 202
ANALYST: Fernandez


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02
$ 447.7 Recurring General Fund





(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates HB255



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



State Department of Public Education (SDE)

Commission On Higher Education (CHE)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



Senate Bill 202 appropriates $447.7 from the general fund to Western New Mexico University (WNMU) for the purpose of funding a network web-based teacher licensure program at WNMU.



Significant Issues



The Network for web-based Teacher Licensure (NeTL) program will provide the infrastructure to deliver coursework between, among, or beyond learning centers at Silver City, Gallup, Deming, and Truth or Consequences. In addition, the NeTL will provide teacher licensure, endorsement, and professional development coursework through electronic delivery.



This program will address the teacher shortage in New Mexico and the WNMU's need for accreditation by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) in 2003. According to WNMU, the new NCATE standards are centered on rigorous technological knowledge and skills for quality teachers.





FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The appropriation of $447.7 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2002 shall revert to the general fund.



Funds would be used to pay for faculty and staff salaries and benefits (6.0 FTE) as well as supplies and equipment.



This bill carries an emergency clause.



OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES



The following is provided for information only, it is not intended as a commentary on the merits of the program.



This program was included in WNMU's funding requests for FY2001-02 submitted for review by the CHE. This program was not included in the CHE's recommendations for FY02 Special Projects due to limited fiscal resources and other needs.



This program is also part of the Council of University Presidents Teacher Preparation request of $2,000.0 to expand efforts to ease teacher shortages.



Western New Mexico University $400.0

New Mexico State University $400.0

Eastern New Mexico State University $400.0

University of New Mexico $400.0

New Mexico Highlands University $280.0

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Tech $120.0

$2,000.0



CTF/ar