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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Nava
ORIGINAL DATE
LAST UPDATED
01/29/07
HB
SHORT TITLE NMSU Science, Technology & Math Outreach
SB 24
ANALYST Hanika Ortiz
APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)
Appropriation
Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY07
FY08
$500.0
recurring
general fund
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
Public Education Department (PED)
New Mexico State University (NMSU)
Higher Education Department (HED)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Bill 24 appropriates $500 thousand from the general fund to NMSU to coordinate and
expand a collaborative effort among the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, Education and Engineering
related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educational outreach
programs.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of $500 thousand contained in SB 24 is a recurring expense to the general
fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY08 shall revert to the
general fund.
This proposal was submitted to the New Mexico Higher Education Department by NMSU but
was not included in the Department’s funding recommendations for FY08.
pg_0002
House Bill 109 - Page
2
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
NMSU has created a STEM Alliance for the Preparation of Scientists, Engineers and
Mathematicians, which currently coordinates the efforts of the more than 50 separate science,
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educational outreach programs throughout the
state.
Through research, the Alliance is building a national model for increasing the number of
underrepresented K-20 students entering STEM coursework and careers. It also develops
collaborative programs between New Mexico institutions, businesses and governmental
agencies. The objectives of these efforts are to improve academic achievement among K-20
students and to increase the number of underrepresented students entering STEM subjects and
fields.
The 2005 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) states 36% of US 4
th
graders
were proficient in math and 30% of 8
th
graders. In New Mexico, the scores drop significantly to
averages of 19% and 14%, respectively; which ranks New Mexico as 49
th
in mathematics and
science achievement. Standardized test results show that New Mexico’s K-12 schools are not
adequately preparing students, especially those disaggregated by ethnicity, for higher education
and future science, math and technology-related work force needs.
PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS
SB 24 assist in the PED’s goal of reaching performance measures related to the percent of
students proficient in mathematics and science.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
The Alliance is working with other New Mexico institutions of higher education, Congressional
delegations, Department of Energy and federal and state agencies to increase the quality,
quantity and diversity of future scientists, engineers, mathematicians and technologists.
CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP
Duplicates HB 109
Relates to HB 111/SB 29, to appropriate $300 thousand to NMSU to pay for a science education
enhancement and K-12 teacher outreach program.
Relates to HB129, to appropriate $250 thousand to Northern New Mexico Community College
to offer professional development for middle school teachers in teaching math, science and
technology.
OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES
NMSU reports STEM outreach and Extension programs are currently reaching more than 100
thousand students around the state. The STEM Alliance is working to enhance collaboration and
coordination of many of these programs, with an aim to increasing both the total number of
outreach initiatives statewide and the number of underrepresented students entering these
programs.
pg_0003
House Bill 109 - Page
3
The STEM Alliance is also working to align efforts in K-12 and higher education, and increase
access to university and community college STEM programs. These efforts are expected to result
in a steady increase in the number of underrepresented students capable of entering STEM
majors at the community college and university levels
.
ALTERNATIVES
NMSU may be required to seek additional funding from its institutional partners and other
private funding sources.
WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL
New Mexico students may be limited in their access to the fields of science, technology,
engineering and mathematics by their inadequate educational preparation. This situation could
interfere with the State’s efforts to strengthen New Mexico’s workforce and economy, and
increase the State’s competitiveness in attracting science and other technology industries because
of the lack of technology-literate workers.
QUESTIONS
How many middle and high school math and science teachers in New Mexico are considered
“qualified" by No Child Left Behind standards.
AHO/nt