Legislature(2001 - 2002)
2001-01-26 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2001-01-26 House Journal Page 0171 HB 94 HOUSE BILL NO. 94 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: 2001-01-26 House Journal Page 0172 "An Act relating to initiatives for quality schools; relating to pupil competency testing and the issuance of secondary school diplomas; relating to certain reports regarding academic performance of schools; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Education and the Health, Education & Social Services Committee. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Education & Early Development The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 24, 2001, appears below: "Dear Speaker Porter: As the next step in continuing the progress of the Quality Schools Initiative, which calls for higher academic standards and improved student achievement in Alaska, I am transmitting this bill relating to fair and responsible timelines for the high school graduation qualifying exam. A date change from current law, which sets the effective date of the graduation exam at January 1, 2002, is necessary for several reasons. School districts need to make sure their lesson plans teach the standards being tested. Students need more time to learn those standards and to get help if they are not on track for a diploma. Proper resources must be in place to provide that help. In short, any final decision to deny a high school diploma must be made fairly, thoughtfully, compassionately and legally. Under this bill, the effective date of the statutory provision requiring high school students to pass the graduation exam in order to receive a diploma would be changed to January 1, 2006. That means the class of 2006 - today's seventh graders - will have the benefit of two benchmark exams before taking the graduation exam. They took benchmark tests in reading, writing and math last year as sixth graders. They'll take them again next year as eighth graders. Then, as 2001-01-26 House Journal Page 0173 sophomores three years from now, they'll take the high school graduation exam for the first time. This will allow parents and teachers the time to help students who need it well before the graduation exam. This is not the case with the current effective date, or for the students who are now in high school and will be denied diplomas next year if the law does not change. To recognize the unique needs of our special education students, the bill provides for those students' graduation requirements to be developed by the state Board of Education and Early Development. The bill also requires regular reports from the Department of Education and Early Development to the Legislature on the progress each school is making in helping students achieve high academic performance. The state Board of Education and Early Development will use these reports to recommend to the Legislature whether a different effective date should be used to implement the graduation exams. Finally, the bill makes it clear the graduation qualifying test will be given, scored and counted in the interim between 2002 and 2006. Diplomas will be awarded to those students who complete their coursework but do not pass the test. However, the test results will appear on transcripts so that teachers, prospective employers and colleges can review students' proficiency in reading, writing, and math. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor"