Legislature(2019 - 2020)CAPITOL 106
04/17/2019 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB128 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 128 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HB 128-TEACHERS: NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION
8:04:50 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY announced the only order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 128, "An Act relating to national board
certification for public school teachers."
8:05:30 AM
JOHN SCANLON, Staff, Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins,
Alaska State Legislature, informed the committee HB 128 is the
product of many conversations between Representative Kreiss-
Tomkins and educators, superintendents, and the Department of
Education and Early Development (EED), about how to effectively
elevate the prestige of the teaching profession in Alaska in a
cost-neutral manner. As a result of these discussions,
Representative Kreiss-Tomkins focused on the value of a National
Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification.
He paraphrased from the following sponsor statement [original
punctuation provided]:
HB 128 represents a commitment from the legislature to
elevate the prestige of the teaching profession in
Alaska. National Board certification is reserved for
educators who voluntarily undertake, and successfully
complete, a rigorous certification process
administered by the National Board for Professional
Teaching Standards. The certification process is
recognized as an invaluable learning experience for
educators that also results in improved student
outcomes. In Alaska and across the country, National
Board certification is considered the gold standard of
professional development for teachers. Certification
by the National Board is an indicator of teacher
quality. Many studies have concluded that National
Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) are more effective in
the classroom and that students of NBCTs have better
academic achievement. By displaying in public schools
the name of each NBCT who teaches at that school, HB
128 creates a halo around this superlative
certification, imparts upon the community and school
the value of NBCTs, and celebrates the hard-earned
accomplishments of NBCTs. HB 128 also sets the goal
that four percent of public school teachers in Alaska
will be National Board certified by 2025 which would
nearly double the current number of NBCTs.
MR. SCANLON explained HB 128 has two components that seek to
elevate the prestige of, and respect for, the teaching
profession in Alaska. The first component is that each public
school shall display in a prominent location the name of each
NBCT teaching in that school, which will celebrate the
accomplishments of the National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards (NBPTS) board certified teachers before the school and
its surrounding community at no cost to the state. The second
component within the bill is the goal of the legislature that by
2025 at least 4 percent of all public school teachers in Alaska
will have achieved national board certification, which would
nearly double the number of NBCTs in Alaska from the present
number of 193. He concluded passage of HB 128 would represent a
commitment from the legislature to elevate the prestige of the
teaching profession in Alaska.
8:09:17 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND expressed her support for the bill and asked
how much it costs an individual teacher to become NBPTS board
certified.
MR. SCANLON said the total cost of certification is $1,900,
which includes four components at a cost of $475 each. In
further response to Co-Chair Drummond, he said the
certifications are in effect for five years; he was unsure of
the cost of renewal, but advised recertification is a rigorous
process.
CO-CHAIR STORY asked Mr. Scanlon to review the certification
process.
MR. SCANLON explained the process can be completed largely
online in one, or up to five, year(s), although some in-person
components require attendance at a testing center. He listed
and described the following four components of the certification
process: content knowledge and pedagogical practices;
differentiation in instruction, which focuses on teaching
students of various abilities in one classroom; improving
teaching practice and classroom environment, in which teachers
are filmed and reviewed; effective and reflective practitioner
instruction, which helps to cultivate certain desired aspects of
teaching. Mr. Scanlon offered to provide additional written
information in this regard. In further response to Co-Chair
Story, he was unsure of the number of hours that are required to
obtain a certification and said he would provide this
information.
CO-CHAIR STORY pointed out [the bill has a zero fiscal note,
Fiscal Note ID HB128-EED-TC-04-11-19] and expressed her concern
[without financial support from EED] there may be a disincentive
created for teachers who do not have the personal resources
necessary to obtain a certification. She questioned whether
some school districts contribute to teachers' costs to obtain a
certification.
MR. SCANLON deferred to EED. He acknowledged the sponsor was
made aware that cost was a significant barrier to national board
certification. At one time in 2012-2013, EED administrated a
subsidy funded by a federal grant. The sponsor seeks to
identify state or non-state funding to offset the cost of
certification; however, HB 128 would be the "first step" and a
commitment from the legislature.
CO-CHAIR STORY inquired as to why federal funds for
certifications were available in 2012-2013.
MR. SCANLON did not know.
8:16:10 AM
SONDRA MEREDITH, Administrator, Teacher Education and
Certification, Department of Education and Early Development,
informed the committee subsequent to reauthorization of [Title
I, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)] federal
passthrough funds are no longer available. At the school
district level, she suggested one or two larger districts may
have stipends or bonuses available. In further response to Co-
Chair Story, she confirmed EED only administered funding for
certifications that was sourced from "passthrough funding that
we received from the federal government through the national
board organization itself"; the federal funds provided ten to
fifteen stipends that were awarded at Title I schools to
teachers that applied for the stipends.
CO-CHAIR STORY asked for the cost for renewing a certification.
MS. MEREDITH was unaware of the cost for renewal.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK asked for the amount of each stipend.
MS. MEREDITH said approximately one-half of the cost.
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked whether the cost of the
certification was deductible from federal taxes.
MS. MEREDITH was unaware of a tax deduction.
8:19:05 AM
TIM PARKER, President, National Education Association-Alaska
(NEA-Alaska), informed the committee he is a high school English
teacher in Fairbanks. Mr. Parker said NEA-Alaska supports HB
128; teachers in Alaska seek increases in student learning and
NBPTS board certified teachers see increased learning because
they have worked for at least one year focused on better ways to
improve learning. He recalled a similar bill [SB 188 introduced
in the Thirtieth Alaska State Legislature] also included funding
for the [certifications]. Mr. Parker advised teachers are
challenged by the approximate $2,000 cost of a national board
certification, even though the process can be spread out over
five years and each of four components cost about $500. He
stressed the certification process is professional development
that is intensive, unique, and focused on many aspects of
student learning in language arts, music, math, and all other
subjects. Further, the certification allows teachers to focus
on the content of each lesson and on student learning. The job
of a teacher in the process of obtaining a certification is to
prove that student learning is taking place in his/her classroom
through testing, video demonstration, analysis of a lesson, and
reflection.
8:23:00 AM
MR. PARKER characterized the certification as difficult to
attain, but an achievement in which teachers are very
interested. In fact, once per year NEA-Alaska offers
preparation training for the certification process, known as
"Jump Start," in Anchorage and other locations. He pointed out
the actual number of board certificated teachers actively
teaching in Alaska classrooms is less than 193, which is the
total number who are registered. He opined the goal for the
number of NBPTS board certified teachers in Alaska should not be
the bill's goal of 4 percent, but should be 10-20 percent. For
example, the State of Washington provides financial incentives
for NBPTS board certified teachers of $5,000 per year, increased
to $10,000 for NBPTS board certified teachers who have positions
serving Title I schools, thus about 20 percent of Washington's
teachers are NBPTS board certified. Mr. Parker said to attain a
higher percentage in Alaska there must be help with the cost of
the initial certification and the renewal fee of $1,250 after
five years. Unfortunately, there is not much of an incentive
for teachers in Alaska, so teachers feel this is not a high
priority in the state.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked for clarification on the incentives
offered in Washington [$5,397 to NBPTS board certified teachers
and $5,000 to teach in Title I schools].
MR. PARKER further explained Washington sought to attain equity
in education by encouraging teachers to move to "hard to reach"
schools; he has heard this effort has been successful. In
further response to Co-Chair Drummond, he said the incentives
are paid each year.
8:28:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS questioned why self-reflection is
important to becoming a better educator.
MR. PARKER said self-reflection is key to success in many
professions because one has to think about and improve his/her
practice. The National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards developed five core propositions that focus on how to
become an accomplished teacher: teachers are committed to
students and their learning; teachers know the subjects they
teach and how to teach those subjects to students; teachers are
responsible for managing and monitoring student learning;
teachers think systematically about their practice and learn
from experience; teachers are members of learning communities.
He remarked:
Those five drive the entire process and you're
constantly thinking about those five, applying them to
every area of your practice, looking for the best ways
that you can make that student learning thing happen
in your classrooms.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK recalled at one time EED was videotaping
teachers in Alaska classrooms.
MR. PARKER deferred to EED for specific information. He
acknowledged at one time videos were reviewed as part of the
certification process; he cautioned the program was complicated
and he was unsure when or why it was withdrawn. He described
the video procedure associated with NBPTS board certification.
8:31:56 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY inquired as to the NEA-Alaska Jump Start program
and whether NEA-Alaska has considered providing match funding to
encourage teachers to apply for board certification.
MR. PARKER said NEA-Alaska has considered a match or loan
program, but funding is not currently available. Jump Start is
held for one week at the end of the school year in Anchorage and
is open to all members; transportation, housing, and highly
qualified instruction is provided. The workshop is usually
attended by 20-30 teachers.
CO-CHAIR STORY asked how much time is required for the renewal
process.
MR. PARKER expressed his understanding the renewal process is
not as intensive as the four components of certification but is
rigorous. He deferred to a representative from EED.
8:35:47 AM
TAMARA VAN WYHE, Director, Division of Educator and School
Excellence, Department of Education and Early Development, said
she is a NBPTS board certified teacher, an achievement for which
she is proud. She informed the committee educators not
practicing in a classroom are eligible to renew their board
certification through a modified process at about one-half of
the cost. In further response to Co-Chair Story, she said
according to EED, there are 58 NBPTS board certified educators
teaching in Alaska classrooms.
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked for information about NBPTS.
MS. VAN WYHE explained NBPTS is a national organization -
comparable to the Council of Chief State School Officers - that
comes together for one purpose: teacher excellence. The
organization has an executive director and board members who
represent entities from across the country.
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked whether NBPTS board certification
is transferable between states.
MS. VAN WYHE said yes, the certification is recognized
nationally. In further response to Representative Hopkins, she
suggested the certification helps teacher retention because
educators who seek board certification are very invested in
their profession. Further, a recommendation out of [EED's
strategic plan component Alaska's Education Challenge] is that
attaining board certification is a way to retain teachers and
encourage teachers to stay in the classroom; although the data
in Alaska is unclear, those who pursue board certification are
"on kind of a leadership track," and she spoke in support of
incentives to keep educators in the classroom and in high-need
schools.
8:42:11 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND stressed the importance of supporting teachers
financially, and observed Ms. Van Wyhe is an appointee to the
Professional Teaching Practices Commission, EED.
CO-CHAIR STORY asked whether the State Board of Education and
Early Development has considered funding incentives for board
certification.
MS. VAN WYHE declined to speak for the board; however, as part
of the EED strategic planning process - the Alaska Education
Challenge - there was lengthy discussion about board
certification. She advised the board is aware of the importance
of board certification, but she has no personal knowledge of
discussions regarding financial incentives, or of supporting
certification through legislation. Ms. Van Wyhe pointed out, in
Alaska, school districts have federal [ESEA Title II Part A
Section 2101, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act]
funds that are available for professional development.
8:44:58 AM
NORM WOOTEN, Executive Director, Association of Alaska School
Boards (AASB), informed the committee AASB submitted written
testimony in support of HB 128. Mr. Wooten said research shows
a highly qualified teacher is the most effective way to ensure
high student achievement, and to be highly effective, a teacher
must: use data to determine the needs of each student; engage
every student; personalize instruction; alter instruction to
respond to students' interests. Responding to the needs of many
students takes a remarkable teacher and AASB believes the
rigorous standards of NBPTS board certification enable teachers
to be successful. The aforementioned five core propositions
required of a NBPTS board certified teacher embody the
definition of a teacher who is prepared. Mr. Wooten advised
Alaska's recruitment and retention of teachers is a serious
problem throughout the state. Further, teaching seems to have
lost the respect of the general public thus fewer applicants are
entering the teaching profession; however, AASB believes NBPTS
board certification is one way to restore prestige to the
teaching profession because rigorous certifications create pride
in any profession and recognition from those served. Mr. Wooten
expressed AASB's support for public recognition of those who
have mastered the teaching profession; NBPTS board certified
teachers will serve as mentors to other teachers and will
inspire future teachers. Mr. Wooten urged the committee to
support HB 128.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked Mr. Wooten how teachers continue to
teach to the needs of every student given the effect of budget
cuts that result in increased class sizes.
MR. WOOTEN acknowledged an increase in pupil teacher ratio
raises the difficulty in responding to the varied needs of every
student. He cautioned kids fall through cracks, which is
unacceptable.
CO-CHAIR STORY questioned whether AASB staff have urged industry
partners to invest "with tax credits" so that teachers could
apply [for money] to get NBPTS board certified.
MR. WOOTEN advised AASB is reviewing tax credit law to determine
whether AASB can encourage entities to utilize tax credits; he
offered to present Co-Chair Story's concept before the AASB
board of directors.
8:51:56 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY opened public testimony on HB 128.
8:52:15 AM
BEN MURRAY, substitute teacher, provided comments not on topic
with the published agenda.
8:55:34 AM
LISA SKILES PARADY, Executive Director, Alaska Council of School
Administrators (ACSA), informed the committee ACSA represents
the Alaska Superintendents Association, the Alaska Association
of Secondary School Principals, the Alaska Association of
Elementary School Principals, the Alaska Association of School
Business Officials, and other school administrators. She
returned attention to the Alaska Education Challenge (AEC) and
said she chaired the Education Excellence committee - under the
umbrella of AEC - that was charged with creating transformative
ideas; the Education Excellence committee established
subcommittees and the transformative idea from the Recruitment
and Continuous Improvement subcommittee was to develop a
comprehensive statewide salary incentive for earning a NBPTS
board certification, because that would make the biggest
difference in student achievement in Alaska. She returned to
the question of how the acquisition of a NBPTS board
certification affects preparing, attracting, and retaining
highly qualified educators and pointed out ACSA's position that
retaining effective educators is essential to closing
achievement gaps and increasing student performance in all
subjects. Therefore, ACSA strongly supports comprehensive
statewide incentive programs and recommends strengthening
statewide and national recruiting efforts. Dr. Parady advised
the aforementioned positions are also one of the pillars of AEC
and are fully supported by HB 128. She returned to a comparison
of education policies in Washington and read [document not
provided]:
Connecting state policy to retention of teachers is
key. Teachers who earn national board certification
are likely to be active participants in their school
communities. Offering an incentive to keep these
teachers in our state certainly encouraged them to
stay and contributes to improvement of education for
Alaska students. ... The number of national board
certified teachers in Washington state increased at
dramatic rates since the bonuses were put in place.
Building capacity of nationally board certified
teachers across the state created a stable and
forward-moving environment for the continual
improvement of teaching and learning. As the number
of national board certified teachers increased,
student improvement increased .... ...
Concentrations of national board certified teachers in
a school and district meant that the, the students
would be O.K. even in environments of lots, lots of
change and other maybe more negative considerations
....
9:00:25 AM
DR. PARADY continued, noting that prior to bonuses for teaching
in a high needs school, about 9 percent of Washington teachers
in high needs schools were NBPTS board certified; currently
about 35 percent of teachers in high needs schools are NBPTS are
board certified. Providing an additional stipend to teachers in
high needs schools was meant to attract new teachers; however,
the result was teachers already working in those schools
attained NBPTS board certifications and stayed in the high need
schools. She offered to provide additional written information
and described a program that worked successfully in Wyoming
through a partnership with a private foundation. She restated
ACSA's support for HB 128.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked for clarification of certain statistics.
DR. PARADY confirmed prior to the bonus schedule, about 9
percent of Washington's teachers in high needs schools were
NBPTS board certified, and that percentage is now 35 percent.
9:03:45 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY, after ascertaining no one further wished to
testify, closed public testimony. She observed the bill has a
zero fiscal note and surmised the bill would be more effective
were funding added to support the intent of the bill.
CO-CHAIR STORY announced HB 128 was held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB128 ver A 4.15.19.pdf |
HEDC 4/17/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HB 128 |
| HB128 Sponsor Statement 4.15.19.pdf |
HEDC 4/17/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HB 128 |
| HB128 Fiscal Note EED-TC 4.15.19.pdf |
HEDC 4/17/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HB 128 |
| HB128 Supporting Document-The Impact of National Board Certified Teachers study 4.15.19.pdf |
HEDC 4/17/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HB 128 |
| HB128 Background Document-NBPTS Alaska Statistics 4.15.19.pdf |
HEDC 4/17/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HB 128 |
| HB128 Background Document-DEED Quick Facts 4.15.19.pdf |
HEDC 4/17/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HB 128 |
| HB128 Supporting Document-Letters of Support 4.15.19.pdf |
HEDC 4/17/2019 8:00:00 AM |
HB 128 |
| House Education Committee Week of April 15, 2019.doc |
HEDC 4/17/2019 8:00:00 AM |
House Education Weekly Schedule |