LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 3, 2017

TO:
Honorable Dan Huberty, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB1886 by Miller (Relating to dyslexia testing, the designation by the Texas Education Agency of a dyslexia specialist, and the development by the agency of a list of training opportunities for educators regarding dyslexia.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1886, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($222,888) through the biennium ending August 31, 2019.

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
2018 ($115,444)
2019 ($107,444)
2020 ($107,444)
2021 ($107,444)
2022 ($107,444)




Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from
General Revenue Fund
1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2017
2018 ($115,444) 1.0
2019 ($107,444) 1.0
2020 ($107,444) 1.0
2021 ($107,444) 1.0
2022 ($107,444) 1.0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend the Education Code to require testing of all students for dyslexia on the enrollment of kindergarten and testing each student in the first grade at the end of the school year. The bill would require the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to designate a dyslexia specialist to provide school districts with support and resources. The bill would require TEA to annually develop a list of training opportunities that comply with the knowledge and practice standards of an international organization on dyslexia, and enable an educator to understand and recognize dyslexia and implement certain evidence-based instruction. The bill would require at least one training opportunity to be available online.

The bill would take effect immediately if passed with necessary voting margins, or September 1, 2017, and would apply beginning school year 2017-18. 

Methodology

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) estimates one full-time equivalent (FTE) position would be required to serve as the dyslexia specialist and assisting with the required training development. The estimated cost of the FTE, including salary, benefits, and other operating expenses, would be $115,444 in fiscal year 2018 and $107,444 in subsequent years.

According to TEA, Education Service Center X (ESC 10) is currently designated as the state dyslexia center and annually produces resources for the state. The agency estimates ESC 10 would assist with the development of the list of training opportunities as required by the bill within existing resources.

Local Government Impact

School districts and open-enrollment charter school would incur costs associated with the required testing at kindergarten and first grade. According to TEA, districts and charters may use multiple assessments to test for dyslexia, with costs ranging from $500 to $1,000 per student. According to TEA, there were 376,814 kindergarten students and 409,977 first grade students enrolled in school year 2015-16. Assuming a cost of $500 per student, the statewide local cost to assess all kindergarten students would be $188 million ($500 per student x 376,814 students), with additional cost of $205 million ($500 per student X 409,977 students) to assess all first grade students. This estimate includes the cost of the assessment, the cost to analyze the assessment, and the staff time to complete the assessment and related results. These costs would vary depending on district size and grade level composition.


Source Agencies:
701 Texas Education Agency
LBB Staff:
UP, THo, AM, AW