HB 173: "An Act relating to state education policy; relating to school climate and connectedness; establishing the School Climate and School Connectedness Improvement Committee; and providing for an effective date."
00 HOUSE BILL NO. 173 01 "An Act relating to state education policy; relating to school climate and connectedness; 02 establishing the School Climate and School Connectedness Improvement Committee; 03 and providing for an effective date." 04 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 05 * Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section 06 to read: 07 SHORT TITLE. This Act may be known as the School Climate and School 08 Connectedness Improvement Act. 09 * Sec. 2. AS 14.03.015 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 10 (b) It is the policy of the state to acknowledge and take into account the 11 principles of early childhood and youth brain development and, whenever possible, 12 consider the concepts of early adversity, toxic stress, childhood trauma, and the 13 promotion of resilience through protective relationships, supports, self-regulation, and 14 services.
01 * Sec. 3. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 02 read: 03 SCHOOL CLIMATE AND SCHOOL CONNECTEDNESS IMPROVEMENT 04 COMMITTEE. (a) The School Climate and School Connectedness Improvement Committee 05 is established as an advisory committee in the Department of Education and Early 06 Development. 07 (b) The committee consists of the following members appointed by the governor: 08 (1) two current school superintendents; 09 (2) two retired school superintendents; 10 (3) three current K-12 teachers; 11 (4) three retired K-12 teachers; 12 (5) four parents of K-12 students; 13 (6) one representative from the division in the Department of Health and 14 Social Services with jurisdiction over juvenile justice who is involved in direct youth services; 15 (7) two school social workers; 16 (8) two school counselors. 17 (c) When appointing committee members, the governor shall consider 18 (1) geographic representation and appoint not fewer than six members who 19 reside in communities that are rural, as defined in AS 14.43.700; and 20 (2) representation across grade levels, appointing at least one current or retired 21 teacher of students in each of the following: 22 (A) kindergarten through grade two; 23 (B) grades three through five; 24 (C) grades six through eight; and 25 (D) grades nine through twelve. 26 (d) Committee members serve without compensation and are not entitled to per diem. 27 (e) The committee shall meet at least once a year. Meetings may be held by audio or 28 video teleconference. 29 (f) The committee shall organize regional and subject-matter subcommittees to 30 address the specific needs of English language learners, vocational and technical education, 31 special education, student athletes, and other subject matter the committee considers
01 necessary. 02 * Sec. 4. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 03 read: 04 DISTRICT SCHOOL CLIMATE AND SCHOOL CONNECTEDNESS PLANS. (a) 05 Each school district shall develop a school climate and school connectedness plan to improve 06 student, staff, and family relationships and establish connections and partnerships between 07 district schools and local communities. The School Climate and School Connectedness 08 Improvement Committee shall support districts in plan development and implementation. 09 (b) A district shall designate district representatives to coordinate with the committee 10 and draft the district's plan. The plan must identify actions the district will take to improve 11 school climate and school connectedness. 12 (c) A plan may incorporate use of 13 (1) social and emotional learning; 14 (2) trauma-informed and healing-centered practices; 15 (3) instruction in cultural competence and alignment with indigenous values; 16 (4) multi-tiered support for behavioral intervention, including restorative 17 practices that are nonshaming, nonpunitive, and effective in addressing conflict and repairing 18 relationships; 19 (5) methods for reducing racial disparities, disproportionate behavior 20 responses, and suspensions or expulsions. 21 * Sec. 5. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 22 read: 23 PLAN SUBMISSION. On or before January 1, 2023, each school district shall submit 24 a school climate and school connectedness plan to the commissioner of education and early 25 development, the senate secretary, and the chief clerk of the house of representatives and 26 notify the legislature that the plan is available. 27 * Sec. 6. Sections 1 and 3 - 5 of this Act are repealed July 1, 2023. 28 * Sec. 7. This Act takes effect July 1, 2021.