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.



The LFC is only preparing FIRs on bills referred to the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Ways and Means Committee, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee and the House Taxation and Revenue Committee. The chief clerks are responsible for preparing and issuing all other bill analyses.



Only the most recent FIR version, excluding attachments, is available on the Intranet. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC office in Room 416 of the State Capitol Building.





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





SPONSOR: Cisneros DATE TYPED: 03/04/01 HB
SHORT TITLE: Support National Board Certified Teachers SB 212
ANALYST: Segura


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY99 FY2000 FY99 FY2000
$ 350.0 Recurring General Fund



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



State Department of Education (SDE)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



Senate Bill 212 would appropriate $350.0 to SDE for recruitment and assistance to teachers seeking National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Certification.



Significant Issues



The New Mexico World Class Teachers Project (NM-WCTP) was established in 1994 to recruit and assist teachers in their efforts to obtain the National Certification. New Mexico was one of the first states in the nation to promote the concept and to assist teachers in this effort. The NM-WCTP serves as a national model and at one time, New Mexico led the nation in the per capita number of NBPTS Certified Teachers. Since 1994, more than one million dollars has been expended either from legislative appropriation or Goals 2000 Grants, to provide financial aid and professional development support to New Mexico teachers seeking NBPTS Certification. There are currently 82 teachers in New Mexico holding NBPTS Certification and there are 37 candidates in the certification process.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



Senate Bill 212 appropriates $350.0 from the general fund and is recurring.



Application fees to participate in the certification process are currently $2,300. Certificates are available in twenty-one teaching fields. Six additional certification areas are under development.



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



According to SDE, the bill requires additional SDE oversight. However, the appropriation includes funding for administrative costs and current staff can accomplish the required duties.



Senate Bill 212 would permit the SDE to use up to four percent for administrative costs associated with recruitment and assistance efforts.



CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP



Relates to SB-23. Companion to HB 383.



RS/njw:ar