Legislature(2013 - 2014)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/14/2014 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| SB100 | |
| Start | |
| SB139 | |
| SB100 | |
| SB139 | |
| SB208 | |
| SB113 | |
| SB147 | |
| SB100 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 139 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 113 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 100 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| = | SB 147 | ||
| = | SB 208 | ||
SB 100-EDUCATION GRANTS; CORRS STUDY; ALLOTMENTS
3:37:19 PM
CHAIR STEVENS brought the meeting back to order. Present were
Senators Gardner, Dunleavy, and Chair Stevens.
CHAIR STEVENS announced that the final order of business would
be SB 100.
3:38:02 PM
SENATOR DUNLEAVY moved to adopt the CS for the Sponsor
Substitute for SB 100 ("SB 100"), labeled 28-LS0425\G, as the
working document.
CHAIR STEVENS objected for discussion.
SHEILA PETERSON, Staff, Senator Mike Dunleavy, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented changes to SB 100 on
behalf of the sponsor. She began with the change on page 3, line
28, that says that the individual learning plan (ILP) that is
with the correspondence program must be developed with the
assistance "and approval" of the certified teacher assigned to
the student. The next change is on page 4, line 8, that makes
sure that the progress of the student's work is monitored by the
certified teacher.
CHAIR STEVENS asked if it is for correspondence study.
MS. PETERSON said yes. She noted all changes relate to a
correspondence study program.
She turned to page 4, line 19, where it says materials purchased
from a "public", private, or religious organization, must be
"non-sectarian" in nature, an addition that the committee voted
to approve at the last meeting. The new Version G also includes
that the vendors are "public" - an oversight.
CHAIR STEVENS asked for a definition of non-sectarian.
SENATOR DUNLEAVY said "not religious."
3:41:16 PM
MS. PETERSON described the next change on page 4, line 24, where
it talks about the textbooks, services, and other curriculum
that will be used in the learning plan following guidelines that
are appropriate for the public school system. This language was
taken from regulation. It says that textbooks must go with the
course of study, appropriate to the course of study, have been
approved by a school district, are appropriate for the age and
learning plan of the student, aligned with state standards, and
that they comply with AS 14.03.090 and AS 14.18.060, sections in
statute that deal with materials not being partisan, sectarian,
or advocating for a doctrine. They also must be non-
discriminatory.
MS. PETERSON addressed the last major change in the CS on page
5, line 8, which deals with the allotment. The allotment can no
longer be rolled over but must return to the school district and
not to the correspondence program. She said line 11 requires the
correspondence program to maintain a record of expenditures and
allotments, which may not be used to pay for services provided
by a family member. This language also was taken from
regulations.
3:44:21 PM
MICHAEL HANELY, Commissioner, Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED), Juneau, Alaska, provided information on SB
100. He noted that many of the changes in the CS were as a
result of conversations with the sponsor and strengthen the
bill. He said the sponsor's intent is to provide flexibility for
students who are proficient. He said he had concerns about
spending public money for things that were not educational. The
adjustments to the bill, including on page 3, the approval of
the certificated teacher, are already in current language.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said the biggest change is on page 4, line
10, that allows flexibility. The department is to not impose
additional requirements and the focus should remain on outcomes.
He said the key is on line 17 in regard to student allotments,
where money can be spent for the purpose of meeting
instructional expenses for the student enrolled in the program.
Many changes brought back language already in regulations.
3:47:14 PM
CHAIR STEVENS inquired about page 4, line 24, a reference to the
regulations of the department. He requested clarity on "non-
partisan" and "non-discriminatory" materials.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY replied that it aligns with what is
currently expected in the public education system regarding
curriculum materials, which do not advocate for a particular
religion or party and are not discriminatory.
BRUCE JOHNSON, Executive Director, Alaska Council of School
Administrators, Juneau, Alaska, presented information related to
SB 100. He said the vast majority of superintendents in Alaska
are in support of SB 100. He spoke favorably of the changes in
the bill. One of the major concerns regarding the purchasing of
services and materials was assuaged by the addition of "non-
sectarian." He concluded that the bill increases opportunity and
choice.
3:50:05 PM
CHAIR STEVENS removed his objection. There being no further
objection, Version G was before the committee.
3:50:28 PM
STUART MCDONALD, Superintendent, Kodiak Island Borough School
District, Kodiak, Alaska, testified in support of SB 100,
especially of the 1.0 funding factor and how it would make a
difference to his district. He spoke of the difficulties of
serving correspondence students in remote areas. He said the
funding will give parents better access to certified, highly
qualified teachers. He spoke of the advantages of AASB's
Consortium for Digital Learning Initiative. The bill provides an
opportunity for a technology grant.
CHAIR STEVENS asked about page 4 regarding textbooks, services,
and curriculum. He inquired if the district is doing these
things now.
MR. MCDONALD said yes. He added that they recently went through
an audit of the correspondence program and made corrections
under existing regulations.
3:53:25 PM
ROBERT WHICKER, Consortium for Digital Learning, Alaska
Association of School Boards (AASB), Eloy, Arizona, offered to
answer questions about SB 100's personalized learning
opportunity grant. He addressed local choice of vendor in the
Alaska 1:1 Digital Learning Initiative. Vendors need to provide
a device that is full-featured, has storage, and can provide
creativity, but not limited to specific size or details. This
would allow multiple vendors to participate and provide
professional development and technical services.
CHAIR STEVENS asked how vendors would be chosen.
MR. WHICKER said the 1:1 Initiative is meant for the regular
teacher to integrate technology within the classroom. The
district would choose the vendors for hardware, professional
development and technical services. The curriculum would also be
determined by the district, the school, and the teacher in the
classroom.
3:57:07 PM
ANGELA WASHINGTON, Board of Directors, Alaska State Board of
Education, Kotzebue, Alaska, testified in support of SB 100. She
stressed how important this bill is to students, especially in
rural areas. Teachers will have the ability to use technology
throughout the curriculum, such as in a science lab.
MICHELLE HAND, representing herself, Palmer, Alaska, testified
in support of SB 100. She spoke in favor of the flexibility of
using allotment funds and choosing vendors, which would provide
for making long-term ILP's. She gave an example of planning a
curriculum that would include welding, a science lab, and music
lessons. She shared that she is a home school mom.
CHAIR STEVENS thanked Ms. Hand.
4:01:03 PM
PETER HOEPFNER, President, Cordova School Board, Cordova School
District, testified in support of SB 100. He spoke also as a
parent and shared his experience with home school programs and
technology. He said students who travel have been able to keep
up with coursework due to technology. He stressed the importance
of technology and the 1:1 initiative.
4:03:36 PM
STEVE BRADSHAW, Superintendent, Sitka School District, Sitka,
Alaska, testified in support of SB 100. He said the Sitka School
Board stands in support of the bill. The district is looking
forward to the opportunity to receive a 1:1 grant.
SENATOR DUNLEAVY said SB 100 is a bill that attempts to
incentivize and support individualized learning approaches. It
recognizes a variety of correspondence school models. The bill
will engage many more students and parents at a lower cost.
4:05:27 PM
CHAIR STEVENS held SB 100 in committee. Public testimony was
open.