LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
  
                              March 8, 2001
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Paul Sadler, Chair, House Committee on Public
               Education
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  HB491  by Kitchen (Relating to a financial award for
               classroom teachers who are certified by the National
               Board for Professional Teaching Standards.), As
               Introduced
  
**************************************************************************
*  Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for    *
*  HB491, As Introduced:  negative impact of $(690,000) through the      *
*  biennium ending August 31, 2003.                                      *
*                                                                        *
*  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                *
          *       2002                           $(270,000)  *
          *       2003                            (420,000)  *
          *       2004                            (570,000)  *
          *       2005                            (720,000)  *
          *       2006                            (870,000)  *
          ****************************************************
  
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
  
         *****************************************************
         * Fiscal Year      Probable Savings/(Cost) from      *
         *                      General Revenue Fund          *
         *                              0001                  *
         *      2002                               $(270,000) *
         *      2003                                (420,000) *
         *      2004                                (570,000) *
         *      2005                                (720,000) *
         *      2006                                (870,000) *
         *****************************************************
  
Fiscal Analysis
  
The bill creates a financial award of $7,500 per year for teachers who
receive and maintain certification from the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).
  
  
Methodology
  
As of December 2000, the Texas Education Agency reports that the NBPTS
had certified a total of 36 Texas teachers.  Costs to provide financial
awards for all teachers currently holding certification would be
$270,000.  Presuming an increase of 20 teachers per year, and that all
previously certified teacher maintain their status, the cost of the award
would increase by $150,000 per year.

Goals set by the NBPTS suggest a certification rate of 160 Texas teachers
per year.  Certification of this number of teacher would increase costs
substantially.
  
  
Local Government Impact
  
Some school districts are currently providing stipends to certified
teachers.  These districts could choose to reduce these stipends with
the implementation of this bill.
  
  
Source Agencies:   701   Texas Education Agency
LBB Staff:         JK, CT, RN