LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session
May 13, 1999
TO: Honorable Teel Bivins, Chair, Senate Committee on
Education
FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB3675 by Garcia (Relating to certain assessment
instruments administered to public school students), As
Engrossed
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* Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for *
* HB3675, As Engrossed: positive impact of $579,134 through the *
* biennium ending August 31, 2001. *
* *
* The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal *
* basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of *
* the bill. *
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General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:
****************************************************
* Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) *
* Impact to General Revenue Related *
* Funds *
* 2000 $292,367 *
* 2001 286,767 *
* 2002 286,767 *
* 2003 586,767 *
* 2004 586,767 *
****************************************************
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
*****************************************************
* Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from *
* Foundation School Fund *
* 0193 *
* 2000 $292,367 *
* 2001 286,767 *
* 2002 286,767 *
* 2003 586,767 *
* 2004 586,767 *
*****************************************************
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require that the assessment of Spanish-speaking Limited
English Proficiency (LEP) students in grades 3-8 be carried out using an
English or Spanish version TAAS test. Only LEP students who are not
Spanish-speakers would be eligible for test exemption.
The commissioner would be responsible for the development of a reading
proficiency assessment for students of limited English proficiency.
Student performance on the reading proficiency assessment would be
included in the Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS), the campus
performance report, the district performance report, and the campus
report card.
Methodology
The Texas Education Agency is currently developing English reading
proficiency tests for students of limited English proficiency. These
tests would cover students in grades 3 through 8.
The development of Spanish TAAS tests for grade levels 7-8 would create
costs for the Texas Education Agency. TEA estimates that the annual cost
of design and administration for grade levels 7-8 Spanish TAAS would be
$730,917 in fiscal year 2000, ultimately rising to $1,466,917 in fiscal
year 2003.
Costs would be funded from a set-aside out of the compensatory education
allotment. Due to a reduction in the allotment, the bill would create a
net savings for the state through lowered Tier II state aid. The net
savings to the state would be $292,367 in fiscal year 2000, ultimately
rising to $586,767 in fiscal year 2003.
Local Government Impact
Local school districts that receive compensatory education funds would
experience a slight reduction in their allotment because of funds
set-aside for assessment development.
Source Agencies:
LBB Staff: JK, CT, CW