Legislature(2013 - 2014)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/12/2013 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB180 | |
| HB190 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 180 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 190 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 190-CREDIT FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSES
8:12:11 AM
CHAIR STEVENS called the committee back to order and stated that
the next order of business would be HB 190. [CSHB 90(EDC) was
before the committee.]
REPRESENTATIVE PAUL SEATON, sponsor, introduced HB 190. He
related that the need for the legislation became obvious when
the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP)
testified before the House Education Committee. Students who
took calculus in college, which is equivalent to a full year of
high school math, were given only one semester credit due to the
lack of seat time according to school district policy. He said
that HB 190 allows students who demonstrate mastery of a subject
to challenge and test out of high school courses and receive
academic credit. Each school district can determine criteria for
demonstrating mastery. It requires that school districts have an
assessment tool for challenging the courses.
He said the credits in the bill would apply to the requirements
of the Alaska Performance Scholarship, but would not necessarily
factor into the GPA. The bill does not attempt to offer credit
for pre-requisite courses.
He noted it varies by district as to whether they currently
offer such an opportunity to challenge credits. The bill
provides a unified, statewide approach toward keeping students
engaged in learning challenging materials and receiving due
credit.
He referred to an example of the "Credit by Choice" program from
the Anchorage School District. He noted that some classes cannot
be exempted.
8:16:57 AM
He clarified on page 1, line 10, of the bill that "it's within a
reasonable time" and on line 11, "courses provided by the
district that are likely to be, or have been, the subject of
challenge requested under this section." He summarized that when
students are ready to have mastery of the subject, they can
challenge.
8:17:31 AM
CHAIR STEVENS clarified that the standards would not be reduced
or be made easier.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON agreed. He explained that success should
not be measured by seat time. An alternative must be provided
for students who have demonstrated mastery of a subject.
CHAIR STEVENS asked how small districts would handle this.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON explained that the bill applies to courses
that a district offers.
8:19:40 AM
SENATOR DUNLEAVY stated that the two bills before the committee
will help students. He discussed College Level Examination
Placement (CLEP), as it applied to foreign exchange students in
the Mat-Su School District. He spoke positively about
performance-based outcome programs.
SENATOR HUGGINS voiced support for the idea behind the bill. He
addressed various levels of educational control and asked why
legislation is required.
8:22:47 AM
SENATOR GARDNER noted the concept of adverse incentives,
comparing the student's and the district's incentives. She
pointed out that some students could pass a course without
having taken it, such as composition; however, she suggested
there would be benefits to taking the course. She noted she has
mixed feelings about students testing out of many of their
classes because she prefers that students excel, rather than
meet standards.
8:24:14 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON replied that he understood what Senator
Gardner was addressing. He explained that the intent was to see
students excel and to test out of classes they have already
mastered. He suggested that the bill would encourage mastery
rather than a pass/fail grade. It is up to the districts to
decide the level of mastery.
8:27:02 AM
SENATOR GARDNER summarized that a district could set the level
of mastery.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said that is correct.
8:27:31 AM
CHAIR STEVENS clarified that districts would be encouraged to
solve the issue, not mandate it. He suggested that CLEP might be
the solution for some districts.
SENATOR DUNLEAVY commended Representative Seaton for the bill.
He encouraged districts to move toward performance-based
learning as a means of saving money.
8:29:33 AM
LES MORSE, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Education & Early
Development, offered to answer questions. He stated that the
issue is a district responsibility.
CHAIR STEVENS asked if the smaller districts should work with
the larger districts to find solutions.
MR. MORSE said yes. He noted that the department could help
facilitate that communication.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked how widespread CLEP is used in Alaska. He
recalled how the Army used CLEP.
8:32:03 AM
MR. MORSE replied that he was unable to comment on CLEP usage.
He said he has heard that students use it primarily for language
credits.
DR. HERB SCHROEDER, Executive Director, Alaska Native Science
and Engineering Program (ANSEP), thanked the committee for its
work and for the citation honoring ANSEP. He related that ANSEP
allows students from anywhere in the state to complete courses
necessary to earn the Alaska Performance Scholarship by bringing
students into Anchorage where they complete university classes.
The problem for many students was that they were not given
equivalent high school credit for the university credits they
earned.
DR. SCHROEDER gave an example of a student who completed
numerous college math courses that were not recognized by the
student's high school. He said that HB 190 provides a mechanism
for students to earn the correct number of high school credits
for completing a university course. He noted that, over time,
many students will be able to graduate from high school early.
8:35:22 AM
CHAIR STEVENS summarized that there is antipathy between high
school educators and college courses.
DR. SCHROEDER agreed. He said it appears to be a "seat time"
issue.
SENATOR DUNLEAVY noted he has difficulty with the logic behind
seat time.
BRUCE JOHNSON, Executive Director, Alaska Association of School
Administrators, testified in support of continuous progress in
moving kids forward on a level that is appropriate for them. He
said that since the mid-nineties the Lower Kuskokwim School
District has had a continuous improvement model where kids could
take an assessment delivered at the district level to determine
their placement in coursework. From that point forward, the
students could challenge courses. Standards have pushed school
districts in this direction. He noted that standards are going
to become more rigorous with the implementation of Common Core.
He suggested that school districts would not be resistant to HB
190. Many schools are already teaching multiple level courses.
8:39:12 AM
SENATOR DUNLEAVY asked if Common Core standards are being
adopted in Alaska.
DR. JOHNSON said yes. He added that the state plans to adopt
assessments that test the Common Core.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked about binding state policies.
DR. JOHNSON replied that he suspected that this proposal could
be done through regulation at the department level or each
district could assume the responsibility at the local level.
8:41:14 AM
CHAIR STEVENS concluded that HB 190 would not be a burden to
school districts.
DR. JOHNSON agreed. He noted that schools could share
information and adopt an assessment as the need arises.
SENATOR DUNLEAVY suggested the CLEPS program could also be used.
He asked where NEA stands on the bill.
CHAIR STEVENS acknowledged a "thumbs up" from NEA.
8:42:48 AM
CHAIR STEVENS held HB 190 in committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 04120213_HB190_BillText_VersionA.pdf |
SEDC 4/12/2013 8:00:00 AM |
HB 190 |
| 04122013_HB190_Explanation of Changes - CS House EDC.pdf |
SEDC 4/12/2013 8:00:00 AM |
HB 190 |
| 04122013_HB190_BillText_VersionU.pdf |
SEDC 4/12/2013 8:00:00 AM |
HB 190 |
| 04122013_HB190_FiscalNote_DEED1.pdf |
SEDC 4/12/2013 8:00:00 AM |
HB 190 |
| 04122013_HB190_PolicyExample_Anchorage SD Credit By Choice.pdf |
SEDC 4/12/2013 8:00:00 AM |
HB 190 |
| 04122013_HB190_Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SEDC 4/12/2013 8:00:00 AM |
HB 190 |
| 04122013_HB190_SupportLetter_Gene Stone MSBSD.pdf |
SEDC 4/12/2013 8:00:00 AM |
HB 190 |
| 04122013_HB190_SupportLetter_Herb Schroeder ANSEP.pdf |
SEDC 4/12/2013 8:00:00 AM |
HB 190 |
| 04122013_HB190_SupportLetter_Steve Atwater KPBSD.pdf |
SEDC 4/12/2013 8:00:00 AM |
HB 190 |