Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance

committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports

if they are used for other purposes.

Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are a vailable on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us).

Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not. Previously issued FIRs and

attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

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

SPONSOR Nava

DATE TYPED 2/8/2005 HB

SHORT TITLE Improve Education and State Parks Relationship

SB SJM 24

ANALYST Aguilar

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)

Public Education Department (PED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Joint Memorial 24 requests that the State Parks Division (SPD) and the Public Education

Department (PED) prepare a study outlining opportunities for increased partnership between the

two agencies. The study is to be transmitted to the Legislative Education Study Committee

(LESC) by November 1, 2005.

Significant Issues

Both SPD’s and PED’s missions are aligned with the principles of dedication to customer service

and education. A partnership between EMNRD and PED to use the unique resources provided

by state parks could improve outdoor education programs and benefit New Mexico’s entire edu-

cational system. This study could outline ways to create and enhance partnerships between the

two departments. Successful outdoor education programs can make a major difference in student

academic performance in the classroom, and this study can determine ways to enhance that per-

formance.

Senate Joint Memorial 24 -- Page 2

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

Partnership with the State Parks Division can enhance attainment of the PED performance meas-

ures and benchmarks for customer service. State parks educational programs can improve core

performance measures and the implementation and achievement of content standards and

benchmarks.

The implications of SJM 24 are positive in that the number of education programs and the per-

centage of park visitors participating in education programs are key performance measures man-

dated by the Legislature for SPD. The study directed by SJM 24 could highlight methods for

SPD to augment the performance of its outdoor education programs by creating closer ties to the

statewide educational system and linking SPD programs and statewide educational curriculum

standards and benchmarks. Outdoor educational programs are significant in that they have been

found to sensitize students to the importance of New Mexico’s heritage and natural and cultural

resources. Further, this study could indicate methods to augment the interaction of local schools

with parks, through curriculum-based field trips and other programming

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The study requested by this joint memorial can be accomplished within existing resources and

staffing within both agencies.

PAA/sb