LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 20, 2003

TO:
Honorable Florence Shapiro, Chair, Senate Committee on Education
 
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB411 by Grusendorf (Relating to improvement of science instruction and student performance in public schools.), Committee Report 2nd House, As Amended



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB411, Committee Report 2nd House, As Amended: a negative impact of ($21,792,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2005.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.



Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2004 ($8,323,500)
2005 ($13,468,500)
2006 ($21,994,790)
2007 ($26,994,790)
2008 ($26,994,790)




Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1 		Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
1
2004 ($8,323,500) $0
2005 ($13,518,500) $50,000
2006 ($22,270,000) $275,210
2007 ($27,270,000) $275,210
2008 ($27,270,000) $275,210

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would create several initiatives associated with improving science instruction in the public schools. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) would implement a program to give $5,000 stipends to master science teachers, certified by the State Board for Educator Certification. Priority would be given to master science teachers in high-need districts and charter schools, as designated by TEA.

Stipends would be allocated beginning in fiscal year 2006. TEA would be required to develop science training materials for teachers.  Districts would have the option of providing optional intensive after school or summer programs. The State Board for Educator Certification would be required to establish master science teacher certificates at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels, based on certain criteria. Examinations for the master science teacher certificate would begin no later than January 1, 2005.


Methodology

The State Board for Educator Certification estimates that approximately 1,454 educators would receive the Master Science Teacher certification. Under that assumption, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) would issue grants to 1,454 master science teachers at an annual cost of $7,270,000 beginning in fiscal year 2006.

To develop science training materials for teachers, TEA estimates annual costs of $3 million in fiscal years 2004 and 2005.

To provide after-school or summer intensive science instruction programs, TEA estimates annual costs of $5 million in the fiscal year 2004 increasing to $10 million in fiscal year 2005, $15 million in fiscal year 2006, and $20 million in the fiscal years 2007 and 2008. TEA anticipates that student diagnostic tools and training programs will focus attention on science instruction, resulting in rising enrollment in after-school and summer intensive programs. The funding at $20 million would be sufficient to provide services to about 30,000 students for a thirty-day period.

The State Board for Educator Certification estimates test development costs of $323,500 each year of the 2004-2005 biennium. These costs would be slightly offset in fiscal year 2005 from a partial year of test administration fee revenue, estimated at $50,000. For fiscal year 2006 and subsequent years, annual test administration revenue is estimated at $166,000; and master science teacher certification fee revenue is estimated at $109,000.


Technology

The Texas Education Agency and the State Board for Educator Certificate estimate information technology-related costs of $195,000 in fiscal year 2005.

Local Government Impact

School districts would also be required to provide summer school and after-school for students performing below desirable levels in science.


Source Agencies:
701 Central Education Agency
LBB Staff:
JK, JO, CT, UP, RN