Legislature(1997 - 1998)
1998-01-26 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf1998-01-26 Senate Journal Page 2295 SB 257 SENATE BILL NO. 257 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: An Act relating to academic performance and accreditation of public schools; relating to state aid to school districts and regional educational attendance areas; and providing for an effective date. was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services and Finance Committees. Fiscal notes published today from Department of Education (2). Governors transmittal letter dated January 23: Dear President Miller: We have the responsibility to ensure every child in the state receives the educational opportunities to succeed. When our children can read, write and compute they not only are better able to enter the work force, but they can become full participants in tomorrow's society. On the other hand, children not meeting success in our schools are far more likely to fail in other ways, contributing to future costs to the public. 1998-01-26 Senate Journal Page 2296 SB 257 Meeting this responsibility requires providing schools appropriate funding and support while holding them accountable for student performance. I am pleased to send you my Quality Schools initiative today a comprehensive bill proposing a new system of school accountability, and a revamping of the foundation formula to make our funding system more equitable. This bill replaces the school funding bills (SB 85 and HB 126) and the education competency testing bills (SB 200 and HB 275) I proposed last year. The "Quality Schools," or "accountability" portion of this legislation launches a three-part plan to improve Alaska's schools: mandatory standards in the basics of reading, writing and math; mandatory assessment and testing to ensure students are making the grade; and mandatory consequences for schools that are failing. The State Board of Education will develop student performance standards in reading, writing and mathematics for all public schools. Students will then be assessed and tested throughout their school years to ensure they are meeting the performance standards. Last year, the Legislature required a high school "exit exam." This bill I am presenting today provides the structure to ensure that students are ready for the exam and have the skills to receive a high school diploma. In order to determine whether schools are providing an adequate education for all students, this legislation will establish a state accreditation system based on a school's performance. Beginning in 2002, the Department of Education will designate each public school in the state as distinguished, successful, deficient, or in crisis based on measures of student performance. Successful and distinguished schools will automatically receive state accreditation. Schools designated deficient or in crisis will work with parents, their communities and the Department of Education, if desired, to design an improvement plan to earn state accreditation. If after two years a school does not earn a successful designation, intervention by the state, in consultation with the community and parents, is authorized. While direct intervention by the state is not expected nor desired, it would be irresponsible to not take action to overcome failing schools. 1998-01-26 Senate Journal Page 2297 SB 257 Adequate funding is necessary if schools are to meet the expectations laid out in this plan. In revising the foundation formula, this bill makes a long overdue increase in the instructional unit value, from $61,000 to $62,550 and establishes automatic adjustments in the future to help schools keep up with increased costs. The unit value increase will result in $20 million more for formula funding in fiscal year 1999. An additional $4.1 million in foundation formula support will ensure equitable funding in special and gifted education and correspondence programs and provide hold harmless dollars so that no district experiences decreased funding under the new formula. Other changes to the foundation formula are based on implementing the Quality Schools initiative and making the funding system as equitable as possible, and include: Closing loopholes in special education and gifted funding. Holding districts harmless from loss of state aid under the new program on a sliding scale for the first three years. Incorporating single site tables into the foundation program. Equalizing district correspondence funding. With the introduction of these new dollars to the formula, I have asked business leaders to meet with school administrators to discuss best business practices. The public deserves to know we are spending our education dollars wisely, and I am committed to assist districts to that end. I want to thank the State Board of Education and all the groups in the education community for their work on crafting this bill. We have agreed it is time to raise the bar for schools in Alaska, provide schools the funds to ensure each student can jump that bar, and hold schools accountable if students do not. We know all children can learn, and all schools can be successful. But, we also know all Alaskan children are not learning, and not all our schools are 1998-01-26 Senate Journal Page 2298 SB 257 successful. This legislation sets forth a system for high expectations and high results. I urge your prompt consideration and passage of this proposal. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor