LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 7, 2009

TO:	Honorable Rob Eissler, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB1363 by Shapiro (Relating to clarification of the essential knowledge and skills of the public school curriculum and the evaluation of conforming curriculum management systems.), As Engrossed

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1363, As Engrossed: a negative impact of ($816,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2011.

General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2010	($408,000)
2011	($408,000)
2012	$0
2013	$0
2014	$0

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Year	Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2010	($408,000)
2011	($408,000)
2012	$0
2013	$0
2014	$0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would require the Texas Education Agency, in cooperation with the State Board of Education and with the participation of educators, to develop written materials that provide additional specific guidance regarding the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The materials must include clarifiers, such as exemplar activities and qualifying statements. 
 
Additionally, the bill would require the Texas Education Agency to evaluate curriculum management systems available in the state and compile a list of curriculum management systems that conform to the TEKS.

The bill would take effect on September 1, 2009, or have immediate effect upon receiving the necessary number of votes.

Methodology

The costs of developing exemplar activities and qualifying statements would involve convening committees for each subject area. These one-time costs are estimated at $408,000 for fiscal year 2010.  This amount would cover the cost of travel and lodging for committee participants, facilities space, materials production and other agency administrative costs.  Any future costs for updates of the written materials would occur during the revision process for each subject-matter TEKS as scheduled.  

The one-time costs for the evaluation and compilation of the list of curriculum management systems are estimated at $408,000 in fiscal year 2011.  Cost components are assumed to be similar to those estimated for the committees developing exemplar activities and qualifying statements.  No recurring costs are anticipated for this curriculum management system evaluation process, as the results of the evaluation of this process would determine its continued occurrence.  

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

701 Central Education Agency

LBB Staff:

JOB, JSp, JGM, AW