Legislature(2009 - 2010)CAPITOL 106
03/27/2009 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB33 | |
| HB206 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 206 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 33 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 33-RAISE COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AGE 8:05:25 AM CHAIR SEATON announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 33, "An Act relating to compulsory school attendance; and providing for an effective date." 8:06:01 AM KELSEY CLARK, Senior, Unalaska City High School, stated support for HB 33 and paraphrased the following portion of her prepared statement, which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: As an Alaskan student I have witnessed many of my peers' drop-out of high school when they are sixteen. I have seen students who were once very enthusiastic, transition to frustrated students who give up. I was recently speaking with a boy, who I was supposed to walk with at graduation, about how he decided to drop- out of high school. The boy stated that he regretted dropping out, but felt like it was too late to go back. I would have liked to have prevented my friend from dropping out, but since the past cannot be changed I feel the future could be. Since the drop-out rate is horrendously high, and thirty-nine percent of our ninth graders are predicted to not have high school diplomas I feel that as a state we need to create a change. I believe that one of the strongest and most effective ways we can create a change in Alaska is by supporting and passing the House Bill 33, which raises the compulsory school age in public schools. The House Bill 33 was sponsored by Representative Cathy Munoz, and if passed would raise the drop-out age from sixteen to eighteen. In my most sincere opinion I feel this house bill could have a positively dramatic affect on Alaska's drop-out statistics. It is scientifically proven that at the age of sixteen the brain's decision-making section is not fully developed so many students do not truly mull over their decision to drop-out of high school. In my experience with my friend, he stated that he wished he had not dropped out, so if this bill had been enacted he would not have been able to make such a devastating decision. 8:07:27 AM REPRESENTATIVE WILSON related concerns she has heard regarding having students in school who don't choose to be there, which could make it more difficult for others. MS. CLARK noted that the friend she referenced in her testimony was very bright, had good grades, and participated in extracurricular activities. In response to Chair Seaton, Ms. Clark explained that her friend dropped out due to frustration and [to take advantage] of employment opportunities. The frustration arose from life in general, family problems, and homework. She related that everyone likes the school. REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked whether anything else, besides a law requiring his attendance, could have been done to help Ms. Clark's friend stay in school. MS. CLARK replied no, adding that her friend has indicated that he severely regrets the decision to drop-out now. 8:10:08 AM NANCY WAGONER, Superintendent, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, stated her strong support for HB 33, paraphrasing from a prepared statement, which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: I strongly support HB 33. Raising the compulsory attendance age to 18 sends the message that we (Alaskans) value education. It sets the expectation that all students should graduate from high school. Will this Bill solve the Dropout problem? The answer is NO. However, it sets the expectation and then it is our job as educators to provide the three R's mentioned in the Bill: Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships. We must provide a rigorous and challenging curriculum that is relevant in today's world as well as in the future. We must build strong relationships with students and families; letting them know that we believe in them and that we care about them and their future. Knowing that students learn differently and at different rates, districts all across the state offer a variety of alternative programs to accommodate the needs of students who are not successful in the traditional programs. When the compulsory attendance age of 16 was set, the world was a different place. It was very possible to get good jobs without a high school diploma. That is not the case in today's world. Passing this bill will provide districts with "some teeth" to our anti-dropout plans. It will provide support to parents who are trying to keep their children in school. Through attendance clerks and counselors, and excellent tracking records of students who leave school, and [by] encouraging them to enroll in alternative programs or re-enroll back into the school district, we will be able to increase our graduation rates and decrease our dropout rates. When Texas raised their compulsory attendance age, the Pasadena Independent School District recorded the low annual dropout rate of 1.6 percent. The dropout problem is so alarming we must do all we can to turn it around. Increasing the compulsory attendance age can be an important component in a comprehensive effort to limit the number of students who drop-out of school each year. Research indicates there is no single reason a student drops-out of school, but that a combination of factors acting together increases the probability. Understanding the dropout crisis is not a simple task, and improvement requires improvement at all levels. School districts, communities, and parents all play important roles in preventing students from dropping out of school. When students miss school frequently and/or drop-out of school, they are unable to gain the knowledge and skills they will need to be successful. They are not prepared for the work force and they are not prepared for postsecondary education. Raising the compulsory attendance age will not by itself solve our dropout problem. It is our job as educators to focus on meeting the needs of all students by creating learning environments and opportunities that employ alternative programs, supervised work experience, and additional counseling. However, setting the expectation that all students should stay in school until they graduate or reach the age of 18 sends the message that we value education. It sets the stage for students to take advantage of the educational opportunities afforded them through public education and prepares them for their future. All students should leave high school "work ready and college ready." It is not reasonable to think that 16 year old students are at this point. Increasing the compulsory attendance age can be an important component in a comprehensive effort to limit the number of students who drop-out of school each year. I encourage you to pass HB 33. Send the message that Alaskans value education and expect our children to graduate leaving high school "work ready and college ready." 8:14:25 AM CHAIR SEATON asked if those who drop-out in Fairbanks are all age 16. MS. WAGONER responded no, but noted that students drop-out at th different ages, but many are merely waiting for their 16 birthday to drop-out. Ms. Wagoner informed the committee that research has found that potential drop-outs can be identified at an early age, by third grade. In fact, warning signs for a potential drop-out can be seen as early as kindergarten and first grade. 8:15:39 AM REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked if students who are at risk of dropping out have access to alternative programs without parental support. MS. WAGONER commented that the district always attempts to include parents in educational decisions. However, the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, as do other school districts, has programs for struggling students. For example, Fairbanks has a career education program for those students who don't function well in a traditional program and only need a few credits to graduate. The student can take advantage of this program without parental involvement. She reminded the committee that correspondence and home schooling programs are also available. In further response to Representative Gardner, Ms. Wagoner confirmed that students with parents who aren't engaged or responsive to the school district have options to find their own way to some of the programs. 8:18:24 AM BARB ANGAIAK, President, NEA-Alaska, related that NEA-Alaska is in support of any measure that would encourage students to stay in school longer. Although the organization isn't convinced that this legislation will solve the drop-out problem, it certainly can't hurt. In fact, the legislation may help some students who are on the fence, she suggested. 8:19:39 AM CHAIR SEATON recalled that NEA, nationally, supports raising the compulsory attendance age to 21. He then asked if NEA-Alaska is supportive of such. MS. ANGAIAK replied yes, adding that the feeling is that as long as students are in school, there's a chance of educating them. 8:20:13 AM REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER highlighted an e-mail [from Steve Pratt], in the committee packet, which encourages the committee to ensure that any decisions on the mandatory school attendance age doesn't increase class size, reduce teacher attention, or redirect resources from students who wish to remain in school. Representative Gardner asked Ms. Angaiak to speak to the concern of the possible increased disruption from those students who have no interest in being in school. MS. ANGAIAK opined that the [state] has an obligation to ensure that school districts offer what's needed for a child. Therefore, if different classes and programs have to be offered, it doesn't necessarily take away from the education of others. She pointed out that schools already have disruptive students who don't want to be at school. "We are working hard to try to help develop programs and plans to address the needs of all kids," she stated. 8:22:00 AM CHAIR SEATON inquired as to the structure of a school in which there are older students, who do not want to be in school, and incoming freshmen. MS. ANGAIAK informed the committee that the middle school model has been very successful in many cases. Schools across the state, particularly those working on continuous progress models of older students who are in the same classes as younger students, already exist. She noted that as a middle school teacher in Bethel the age of those in her class range from age 12 to 18. 8:23:20 AM CHAIR SEATON closed public testimony. 8:23:39 AM REPRESENTATIVE BUCH inquired as to how truancy will be enforced. REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ reminded the committee that in the Juneau School District one in four students don't finish high school. Furthermore, there are higher drop-out rates, as high as 54 percent, for some minority populations. With these high statistics, it is impossible to say that these drop-outs are all disruptive students. The current law and HB 33 provide exemptions for individuals to pursue. She informed the committee that the Juneau School District has a truancy officer who works to enforce attendance of those students under the age of 16 who aren't attending school. This legislation doesn't include funding for truancy officers. However, she opined that there's a lot of support for truancy officers. 8:27:18 AM CHAIR SEATON recalled that one of the concerns has been that the current exemptions allow any parent to say he/she is homeschooling their child. Furthermore, there are work exemptions and other "holes in the system" that allow children under the age of 16 to leave school. 8:28:14 AM REPRESENTATIVE WILSON related her experience as a school nurse, and the attempts she made to encourage students to attend school. She opined that HB 33 is probably needed. 8:29:49 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER expressed opposition to HB 33 and announced that he would oppose the legislation leaving the committee. He said that he wants to do something to address the drop-out rate, but he believes keeping a student in school who doesn't want to attend is harmful. He pointed out that in Alaska a high value is placed on freedom of choice. In fact a couple of cases heard by the Alaska Supreme Court specify that children have fundamental rights under the Alaska State Constitution. This matter also touches parental rights, in that parents have the right to the care and custody of their children. Furthermore, there is no evidence that raising the compulsory school attendance age will help. In fact, other states with higher compulsory attendance ages don't illustrate any correlation in higher graduation rates. Representative Keller said that the success stories in particular schools, such as those at Chugach High School, [Juneau's] alternative school, and the military academy, are more compelling. 8:33:40 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER, referring to an article in "Education Week," related that the results of exit interviews, conducted by the Gates Foundation, with drop-outs between the age of 16 and 25 overwhelmingly found that the students weren't challenged, were unmotivated, and have problems outside the context of academics. Representative Keller expressed his belief that forcing children to stay in school won't help [with the drop-out rate.] 8:34:24 AM CHAIR SEATON directed the committee's attention to the Legislative Research Report 09.172 entitled "Compulsory School Attendance Age and Statistics Associated with Education Levels." The report references a 2007 Gates Foundation report that concludes that [raising the compulsory school attendance age should be done in conjunction with providing alternative learning opportunities and other educational reforms. The Legislative Research Report also relates the following: "Opponents of raising compulsory attendance ages hold that requiring all young people under age of 18 to attend school can marginalize those who fare least well in traditional high school. ... The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is staunchly against raising mandatory age limits." Chair Seaton also highlighted that the Legislative Research Report also relates the following: Dr. Jay Smink, executive director of the National Dropout Center, believes that raising the compulsory school age might be a good idea. He cautions, however, that raising the compulsory age without identifying struggling students and providing them with alternative learning opportunities, would result in no benefit. CHAIR SEATON went on to point out that a New Brunswick, Canada, study found that there wasn't any change in the relative drop- out rate in New Brunswick, although there were small positive effects in the United States. He then reviewed the top five reasons dropouts identify as major factors in their decision to drop-out. Chair Seaton expressed the need to critically analyze all the issues. 8:37:16 AM REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON stated that although he won't oppose HB 33 leaving committee today, he pointed out that school districts have varying resources available to address the drop-out situation. He suggested that perhaps at some point something other than merely raising the compulsory attendance age will be required. 8:38:46 AM REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ highlighted that the committee packet includes much information contrary to the information highlighted by Chair Seaton. In fact, the committee packet should include letters of support from organizations such as the Alaska School Board Association, the Anchorage School District, the Juneau School District, the Cordova School District, the Alaska Native Brotherhood Grand Camp, and the National Education Association. The aforementioned are the state's own people. Therefore, she questioned where the HSLDA fits into the discussion of Alaska's drop-out rate. 8:39:43 AM CHAIR SEATON said that he was merely encouraging members to thoroughly review the committee packet to ensure a knowledgeable decision. He then expressed the need for the committee to consider that the problem, as related by the Juneau School District, isn't a drop-out problem but rather a push-out problem. If the aforementioned is the case, then raising the compulsory attendance age requirement will be of no consequence. 8:41:27 AM REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ clarified that the term push-out was first used by a local Native Sisterhood representative who explained the difficulty for Native Alaskans to succeed in a system that has cultural misunderstandings toward Native Alaskans. The Juneau School District was merely present at the meeting in which the aforementioned was discussed. 8:42:08 AM REPRESENTATIVE WILSON informed the committee that research shows that adolescent brains do not mature, to the extent of fully understanding action consequences, until about age 24. She opined that she has come to believe that too many kids are able to easily opt out of things, and thus they don't learn how to stick with and work through uncomfortable situations. Furthermore, young people aren't developed enough to realize the consequences of quitting school. 8:44:22 AM REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER noted that often studies or research [can be found] showing both sides of an issue. She asked if the committee agrees that there should be compulsory attendance at all in schools. If so, the question is what age is appropriate for the student or family to decide they've received enough education. She mentioned her agreement with Representative Wilson that kids don't have the information and experience to make some important decisions. However, the CD How Institute has found that drop-outs fare worse later in life in that they earn less and are more likely to be unemployed, be on public assistance and other welfare programs, be in jail, and have poor health. Although changing the compulsory attendance age may not impact the drop-out rate to the extent desired, it may help some. Raising the compulsory attendance age, she opined, is a small piece in conjunction with programs that are known to work in keeping students in school. With regard to the exit interview responses, Representative Gardner related her skepticism because of a student's limited vision. 8:47:54 AM CHAIR SEATON stated that HB 33 would be held.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 206 material.pdf |
HEDC 3/27/2009 8:00:00 AM HEDC 4/3/2009 8:00:00 AM HEDC 2/1/2010 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Compulsory_Comparison.pdf |
HEDC 3/27/2009 8:00:00 AM |
|
| hb 33 material.pdf |
HEDC 3/27/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 33 |
| HB 33 material II.pdf |
HEDC 3/27/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 33 |