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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to HB3

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

State Department Of Public Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 344 appropriates $611.5 to SDE for expenditure in fiscal year 1999 and 2000 to provide summer reading programs in the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) for students who have completed first or second grade performing significantly below the standard for their grade level. The bill also requires APS to provide instruction for interns and new teachers on how to implement and provide reading instruction in a classroom.

Significant Issues

According to SDE, this program would provide early intervention for children in first and second grade who have not mastered appropriate grade level reading skills. The program will be available at an elementary school site in each of the eleven clusters in APS.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

House Bill 344 appropriates $611.5 from the general fund to SDE for expenditure in fiscal years 1999 and 2000. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 shall revert to the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

SDE indicates that current staff can handle this project, however, if a significant number of special projects are approved by the Legislature, SDE would require additional staff.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

HB3/aHEC, includes $15,000.0 for the purpose of funding additional program units to implement a four-year phase-in of early childhood education. School districts may develop optional preschool and literacy programs to meet developmental and literacy needs of children age three through grade two. Such programs may include full-day kindergarten, half-day, summer or transition programs for children ages three through five or intensive literacy programs for students in kindergarten through second grade to ensure that all children are reading by the time they enter grade three.

CTF/njw