LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 27, 2009

TO:	Honorable Rob Eissler, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3050 by Anchia (Relating to a pilot project to assess public school students by alternative methods.), As Introduced

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3050, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($14,097,950) through the biennium ending August 31, 2011.

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
2010	($7,749,250)
2011	($6,348,700)
2012	($6,340,700)
2013	($5,942,438)
2014	$0

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2010	($7,749,250)
2011	($6,348,700)
2012	($6,340,700)
2013	($5,942,438)
2014	$0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would require the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to establish an alternative assessment methods pilot project in six school districts in the state.  The pilot period would conclude at the end of FY2013.

Participating school districts would be required to assess students in grades 6 through 8 using assessment methods other than multiple choice assessment instruments, such as short answer, essay, oral presentation, performance, and other alternative methods.

TEA would be required to submit a report by December 2012 to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the presiding officers of the standing committees on public education evaluting the impact of the alternative assessments on student performance, attendance, curriculum, and teacher satisfaction.

Methodology

TEA estimates it would require 5.0 contract FTEs in FY2010, FY2011, and FY2012 and 3.75 contract FTEs in FY2013 to administer the pilot program at a cost of $949,250 in FY2010, $909,250 in FY2011 and FY2012, and $692,438 in FY2013, inclusive of professional fees, rent, travel, and other expenses..

The cost of developing alternative assessments is estimated at $1.55 million in FY2010.  The cost of administering and scoring alternative assessments is estimated at $5.25 million annually in FY2010 through FY2013.

TEA estimates it would require 1.0 contract FTE in FY2011 and FY2012 to conduct the required evaluation at a cost of $189,450 in FY2011 and $181,450 in FY2012, inclusive of professional fees, rent, and other expenses.

Local Government Impact

Six school districts would be selected to participate in the alternative assessment method pilot project.

Source Agencies:

701 Central Education Agency

LBB Staff:

JOB, JSp, JGM, JSc