LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 7, 2003

TO:	Honorable Kent Grusendorf, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB521 by Grusendorf (Relating to state assessment of public school students in social studies in the fifth grade and in science in the eighth grade.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to develop and administer a science assessment for 8th grade and social studies assessment for 5th grade by 2006-2007.  An 8th grade science assessment and a 5th grade social studies assessment for special education populations would be required by the 2008-2009 school year.

TEA estimates the cost to develop all four tests to be $2 million over a two-year development period.  Funding for test development is paid from a set-aside from the compensatory education allotment of the Foundation School Program, and therefore cost neutral to the state.  TEA may require a small increase in its administrative resources in fiscal year 2007 and beyond in its Student Assessment and Performance Reporting divisions to accommodate the provisions of the bill. 

Local Government Impact

Because test development is paid for through a set aside from the compensatory allotment, statewide school districts would see a decrease to their state aid equal to the cost of the test (estimated to be $2 million over a two-year development period).

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