Legislature(2005 - 2006)CAPITOL 106
05/05/2006 03:00 PM House HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SCR28 | |
| SB251 | |
| SB48 | |
| Work Session | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SCR 28 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 251 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 48 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SCR 28-TECHNOLOGY FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION 3:13:17 PM CHAIR WILSON announced that the first order of business would be CS FOR SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 28(HES), Relating to the innovative application of education technology tools to provide improved distance education programs in the state. 3:13:52 PM WES KELLER, Staff to Senator Fred Dyson, Alaska Legislature, presented SCR 28 on behalf of the Senate Health, Education and Social Services Committee, sponsor by request, which is chaired by Senator Dyson, and directing attention to the committee packet containing copies of the power-point slide program, he explained the internet source material versus the locally generated information contained therein. He referenced slide 5, titled [Annual Yearly Progress (AYP)] and Alaska Schools, to point out the trend indicating the growing number of schools that are restructuring. Responding to a question, he said that the level 5 indicator represents "the train wreck." When a school reaches level 5, the district must create and implement a plan for the major restructuring process; currently seven schools are at the level 5 indicator. He conceded that this resolution does not offer a silver bullet, but it is a very positive statement that the legislature can make regarding the technology as a means to address the issue. Technology reduces the effects of distance, he explained, which is important in Alaska due to the logistical situations of the rural schools. In summary, he stated that this resolution is designed to encourage school districts to seek out innovative responsible means to apply educational technology. He reported that national organizations are looking to Alaska, with its unique logistical challenges to reach the states 130,000 students, to create a model for technological use in education. 3:19:54 PM REPRESENTATIVE GATTO referred to page 2, lines 2-4, which indicate the federal, state, and local contributions averaging $10,114 per student enrolled in the state, versus $16,665 as the median cost for each student, and inquired as to the discrepancy. 3:20:25 PM MR. KELLER said that this demonstrates why this resolution is important. He explained how the two costs are calculated, and thus he said the median cost represents the true indicator of the actual cost for a rural education. 3:21:13 PM REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER stated that there are many problems with the Alaska educational system, and the solutions may vary, but she pointed out that every solution will relate in some way to technological advances. She offered to move the resolution. 3:21:48 PM REPRESENTATIVE GATTO observed that page 4, is not inclusive of the states school districts, and asked if the omissions were intentional. MR. KELLER suggested that the language of page 3, line 20, provides the distribution directives for the resolution, despite whatever omissions were made in the listing. 3:22:49 PM REPRESENTATIVE GATTO moved conceptual Amendment 1, as follows: Page 4, line 15, following "Lower Yukon School District;" Insert the names of the remaining 21 school Superintendents and Districts of Alaska. 3:23:07 PM REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER moved to report CSSCR 28(HES), as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HCS CSSCR 28(HES) was reported from the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee.
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