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



SPONSOR: Miera DATE TYPED: 02/03/00 HB 378
SHORT TITLE: Teacher Quality Investment Fund SB
ANALYST: Pacheco-Perez

APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY00 FY01 FY00 FY01
$ 1,000.0 Rec GF

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates SB322

SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

State Department of Education (SDE)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



This bill creates the Teacher Quality Investment Fund, appropriating $1,000.0 from the general fund to the Fund for the purpose of providing funds for which institutions of higher education may apply to implement enhancements in teacher education programs. The Commission on Higher Education shall administer the Fund, making available a pool of funds from which institutions may apply on a competitive basis to implement quality enhancements and to increase the number of graduates from the programs. Institutions shall realign existing resources in order to provide matching funds.



Significant Issues



According to the CHE, this bill addresses the teacher preparation and induction issues as outlined in the 1999 CHE and State Board of Education Action Plan for improving teacher quality.



According to the SDE, national, state and local literature overwhelmingly advocates for major reforms in teacher preparation programs.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The appropriation of $1,000.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY01 shall not revert to the general fund.



According to the CHE, the Fund would support 60% of each project in year one, 40% in year two and 20% in year three.



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



The CHE notes minimal impact on the agency as a contractual services agreement would be implemented.



CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP



This bill duplicates Senate Bill 322.



OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES



According to the SDE, the Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant awarded jointly to the CHE and State Board of Education, focuses on statewide reforms in teacher recruitment, preparation, induction, and professional development as well as implementing pilot programs to evaluate and institutionalize reforms.



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