LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 76th Regular Session April 28, 1999 TO: Honorable Paul Sadler, Chair, House Committee on Public Education FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB3675 by Garcia (relating to certain assessment instruments administered to public school students), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted ************************************************************************** * Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for * * HB3675, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: 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. * ************************************************************************** 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