CSHB 171(EDU): "An Act relating to a curriculum for Alaska history; and providing for an effective date."
00 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 171(EDU) 01 "An Act relating to a curriculum for Alaska history; and providing for an effective 02 date." 03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 04 * Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section 05 to read: 06 FINDINGS AND INTENT. (a) The legislature finds that 07 (1) an education rich in history and government is vital to the development of 08 a representative democracy and a civil society; knowledge of a person's own state history and 09 government is fundamental to informed and effective participation in state and local affairs; 10 (2) Alaska's human history is at least 10,000 years old and reflects the 11 diversity of Native, European, American, and Asian cultures; the study of Alaska history 12 should be as rich as Alaska's origins and evolution as a political community, and it should 13 take into consideration the ancient, historic, and modern interactions of Native, European, 14 American, and Asian cultures, economies, governments, and values; every student graduating
01 from an Alaska secondary school should do so with a demonstrable understanding of Alaska's 02 rich and unique history; 03 (3) the face of Alaska is changing demographically, economically, and 04 socially; the speed of change makes it imperative for Alaska's citizens and leaders to have a 05 sound understanding of the state's history; 06 (4) a knowledge of history provides a context for understanding where 07 Alaskans came from and what Alaskans value about the diversity and richness of the state; 08 that knowledge can help Alaskans make decisions individually and collectively that will 09 protect and enhance what Alaskans value both now and into the future; 10 (5) a civics component to an Alaska history curriculum, including how 11 Alaska's economy and Alaska's form of government developed, is crucial to understanding 12 how to deal with today's issues, including urban and rural cooperation and the state's fiscal 13 challenges; 14 (6) an educated Alaska populace with a full appreciation for the history of 15 Alaska will make better decisions for the good of all Alaska citizens, both rural and urban; 16 (7) an understanding of Alaska's history will help Alaska avoid mistakes of 17 the past and will contribute to a prosperous, successful future for all Alaskans; 18 (8) Alaska schools are positioned to transmit knowledge of Alaska history to 19 the majority of people who will inhabit Alaska in coming generations; 20 (9) 22 other states currently require by statute the teaching of state history; 21 (10) over the past decade, a number of instructional resources have become 22 available and could be used to teach courses on Alaska and Alaska Native history. 23 (b) It is the intent of this Act 24 (1) to ensure that every future Alaska high school graduate receive instruction 25 in Alaska history through a locally adopted curriculum that meets the state social studies 26 standards; 27 (2) that Alaska school districts should receive the instructional support needed 28 to put an Alaska history curriculum in place and to prepare teachers to maximize the effect of 29 the curriculum; 30 (3) to encourage public and private involvement and support for 31 implementation of an Alaska history curriculum;
01 (4) to provide for a broad based Alaska history curriculum that includes study 02 of the state's geography, resource development, economics, government, anthropology, art, 03 Native history, and cultural relationships. 04 * Sec. 2. AS 14.03.255(a) is amended to read: 05 (a) A charter school operates as a school in the local school district except that 06 the charter school (1) is exempt from the local school district's textbook, program, 07 curriculum, and scheduling requirements; (2) is exempt from AS 14.14.130(c); the 08 principal of the charter school shall be selected by the academic policy committee and 09 shall select, appoint, or otherwise supervise employees of the charter school; and (3) 10 operates under the charter school's annual program budget as set out in the contract 11 between the local school board and the charter school under (c) of this section. A 12 local school board may exempt a charter school from other local school district 13 requirements if the exemption is set out in the contract. A charter school is subject 14 to the requirements of AS 14.30.440. 15 * Sec. 3. AS 14.30 is amended by adding a new section to read: 16 Article 6A. Alaska History Education. 17 Sec. 14.30.440. Alaska history education. (a) The department shall develop 18 a standards-based Alaska history education curriculum within grades 9 through 12. 19 The curriculum must include a Native studies component. Each governing body shall 20 implement the curriculum as a part of regular classroom studies and shall require that 21 each student complete the curriculum with a passing grade as a requirement for 22 graduation. 23 (b) Notwithstanding (a) of this section, a governing body may waive 24 completion of the curriculum described under (a) of this section as a requirement for 25 graduation for a student who transfers into the district after completion of the student's 26 junior year or for a student who receives special education services. 27 (c) In this section, 28 (1) "curriculum" means a course of study that, by the completion of the 29 12th grade, is the equivalent of at least one semester; 30 (2) "district" has the meaning given in AS 14.17.990; 31 (3) "special education" has the meaning given in AS 14.30.350.
01 * Sec. 4. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 02 read: 03 APPLICABILITY. This Act applies to students who begin the ninth grade on or after 04 July 1, 2002. 05 * Sec. 5. This Act takes effect July 1, 2001.