Legislature(1999 - 2000)
04/22/1999 03:05 PM House HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 113 - POSTSECONDARY EDUC FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Number 0260 CO-CHAIRMAN COGHILL announced the next order of business as House Bill No. 113, "An Act relating to a program of postsecondary education for high school students." Number 0210 EDDIE GRASSER, Legislative Assistant to Representative Beverly Masek, came forward to present the committee substitute of HB 113, version K. The first change is on page 1, line 12 where they added language consistent with the U.S. codes which deal with the Americans for Disability Act (ADA). The next change is on page 2, line 4, where they replaced the words "eleventh and twelfth grades" with "otherwise receiving a secondary school education as described in AS 14.40.010(b)(1) or (10) - (12)." They also added language there "who is under 20 years of age" to prevent students remaining in the secondary school situation and purposely flunking the standards test or a course required for graduation, so they won't ever graduate and can stay in the high school and manage to get a college education basically free through the foundation formula. The next change is on page 2, lines 16 and 17, which allows the school district to make arrangements with the postsecondary institution to work out agreements where the instructor may actually teach the course in the secondary school, rather than the student going to the university. TAPE 99-42, SIDE A Number 0036 REPRESENTATIVE BRICE asked if that section means the secondary students cannot take postsecondary classes if they are offered at the high school. Number 0077 MR. GRASSER answered that the intent is to allow students to remain in the high school, even though the postsecondary school has the adjunct professor coming into the high school to teach the course, and that is the language that the drafter came up with. Section 2 in the original draft that had to do with the credits being given was deleted. MR. GRASSER told them the next major change is in Sec. 14.30.780, the funding section. This language has shifted the funding to the school district, but it also allows the school district to negotiate with the postsecondary institution. There is a percentage in the foundation formula that is set aside for the school districts for special needs children which would include the gifted children. They figure many of the students taking advantage of this program will be the gifted students. He commented that the school districts don't like this funding section, and he recognizes that there are problems with the section. The section with a formula that the DOE would reimburse the district for these students was deleted, and that was why there was an indeterminate fiscal note. There probably still will be an indeterminate fiscal note because part of the foundation formula still goes toward these special needs students. Number 0505 CO-CHAIRMAN COGHILL mentioned that in Valdez the students were bearing some of the cost of the courses, but there was also a scholarship program for those who couldn't pay. MR. GRASSER said the money for the students who couldn't afford to pay was coming out of the foundation formula. CO-CHAIRMAN COGHILL suggested it might be possible for the students to pay the tuition. Number 0572 MR. GRASSER said that has been part of the discussion, but then that leaves out those who cannot afford to take advantage of the program. Different arrangements already exist throughout the state, and they are trying to allow enough flexibility within the district to negotiate arrangements with the university on how it would happen. CO-CHAIRMAN DYSON asked what the districts don't like in this bill. Number 0641 MR. GRASSER said the districts didn't like the section on the funding because they have to pay, and there is no provision for the state to give money to the districts for the tuition costs. MR. GRASSER referred them to page 3, line 24 where the language was cleaned up on what fees would be paid for attending the postsecondary institution. On page 3, line 29, it inadvertently did not get changed from "nationally" to "regionally" accredited. Other than the funding section, if the committee is otherwise comfortable with this bill, he advised them that the sponsor would like to see it moved on to the Finance Committee and try to work out the funding arrangement there. Number 0776 CO-CHAIRMAN DYSON made a motion to amend CSHB 113 on page 3, line 29 from "nationally" to "regionally." CO-CHAIRMAN COGHILL asked whether there was any objection. There being none, the amendment was adopted. REPRESENTATIVE BRICE suggested that there could be clearer language on page 2, lines 15, 16 and 17, and they could deal with it some place else. Number 0854 MR. GRASSER understood his concern and agreed they both had the same intent there. Number 0880 LARRY WIGET, Executive Director, Public Affairs, Anchorage School District, came forward to testify and said he hasn't had a chance to look at this bill, but he would send it back to his school board to see if they have any concerns about the funding level or Section 2(b). CO-CHAIRMAN DYSON told Mr. Wiget if they do have concerns after looking at HB 113, he will move to rescind their action and change them on Tuesday, if they pass this bill out today. Number 0948 CO-CHAIRMAN DYSON made a motion to move CSHB 113, 1-LSO461\K, Ford, 4/22/99, as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and indeterminate fiscal note. There being no objection, CSHB 113(HES) moved from the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee.
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