Legislature(2017 - 2018)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/11/2017 09:00 AM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB47 | |
| HB102 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 102 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 85 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SCR 10 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 47 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
April 11, 2017
9:01 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Mia Costello, Chair
Senator Shelley Hughes, Vice Chair
Senator Kevin Meyer
Senator Gary Stevens
Senator Berta Gardner
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 47
"An Act relating to motor vehicle franchises, motor vehicle
transactions, motor vehicle dealers, motor vehicle
manufacturers, and motor vehicle distributors."
- MOVED CSSB 47(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 102(EDC)
"An Act relating to instruction in a language other than
English; and relating to limited teacher certificates."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 85
"An Act relating to allocations of funding for the Alaska
Workforce Investment Board; and providing for an effective
date."
- BILL HEARING CANCELED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 10
"An Act relating to allocations of funding for the Alaska
Workforce Investment Board; and providing for an effective
date."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 47
SHORT TITLE: MOTOR VEHICLE DEALER FRANCHISES
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) MEYER
02/01/17 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/01/17 (S) L&C, JUD
02/23/17 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/23/17 (S) Heard & Held
02/23/17 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
04/11/17 (S) L&C AT 9:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: HB 102
SHORT TITLE: LIMITED TEACHER CERTIFICATES; LANGUAGES
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) KREISS-TOMKINS
02/03/17 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/03/17 (H) EDC
03/01/17 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
03/01/17 (H) Heard & Held
03/01/17 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/15/17 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
03/15/17 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
03/20/17 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
03/20/17 (H) Heard & Held
03/20/17 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/27/17 (H) EDC RPT CS(EDC) 4DP 1NR 1AM
03/27/17 (H) DP: TALERICO, PARISH, SPOHNHOLZ, KOPP
03/27/17 (H) NR: DRUMMOND
03/27/17 (H) AM: FANSLER
03/27/17 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
03/27/17 (H) Moved CSHB 102(EDC) Out of Committee
03/27/17 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
04/05/17 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
04/05/17 (H) VERSION: CSHB 102(EDC)
04/06/17 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/06/17 (S) L&C, EDC
04/11/17 (S) L&C AT 9:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
WESTON EILER, Staff
Senate Labor and Commerce Committee
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the CS for SB 47, version U.
REPRESENTATIVE JONATHAN KREISS-TOMKINS
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 102.
REID MAGDANZ, Staff
Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on HB 102 on behalf of
the sponsor.
BOB WILLIAMS, Director
Division of School Finance and Facilities
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 102.
SONDRA MEREDITH, Education Administrator
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 102.
BRANDON LOCKE, Senior Director
Curriculum and Instruction
Director
K-12 Language and Language Immersion Programs
Anchorage School District
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 102.
ALICE TAFF, representing herself
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 102.
SHAWN ARNOLD, Superintendent
Nome Public Schools
Nome, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 102.
KATHRINE GARDNER, Executive Director
Human Resources
Mat-Su Borough School District
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 102.
JENNIFER SCHMIDT-HUTCHINS, Principal
Frontieras Spanish Immersion School
Mat-Su Borough School District
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 102.
ACTION NARRATIVE
9:01:12 AM
CHAIR MIA COSTELLO called the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Meyer, Gardner, Hughes, and Chair Costello.
Senator Stevens arrived shortly thereafter.
SB 47-MOTOR VEHICLE DEALER FRANCHISES
9:02:02 AM
CHAIR COSTELLO announced the consideration of SB 47.
9:02:19 AM
CHAIR COSTELLO opened and closed public testimony on SB 47.
9:02:26 AM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to adopt the CS for SB 47, version 30-
LS0090\U, as the working document.
CHAIR COSTELLO objected for discussion purposes.
9:02:55 AM
WESTON EILER, Staff, Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, Alaska
State Legislature, presented the CS for SB 47. He explained that
version U pares down the bill and focuses primarily on concerns
expressed during public testimony and by members regarding
warrantee work and service. It lays out a middle ground for
Section 15.
CHAIR COSTELLO requested a copy of the new sectional analysis
for version U.
9:04:16 AM
At ease
9:04:42 AM
MR. EILER said he did not have a sectional analysis. He
explained that Section 1 describes the timelines and conditions
by which repair and warranty claims can be made and includes
audit and retail rates. It amends AS 45.25 and sets out
submission information about how retail rates are calculated.
Page 3, line 15, lists exclusions for those calculations, and
page 4, line 8, lists auditing provisions.
Section 3 adds an applicability section and clarifies
definitions.
9:08:00 AM
CHAIR COSTELLO removed her objection. There being no further
objection, version U was adopted.
9:08:17 AM
SENATOR GARDNER asked if the committee would hear from dealers
and manufacturers.
9:08:35 AM
At ease
9:10:33 AM
CHAIR COSTELLO reconvened the meeting and advised that public
testimony was not noticed for this meeting. She added that the
bill goes to the Senate Judiciary Committee next where feedback
will be a part of the process.
SENATOR GARDNER said she would probably object to moving the
bill.
9:11:39 AM
SENATOR KEVIN MEYER, sponsor of SB 47, thanked Chair Costello
for her work on the bill. He agreed that the first version of
the bill was probable overly ambitious. He agreed with the
compromises in Section 15. He noted the importance of the bill
for dealers and consumers. He highlighted the difficulty
associated with getting warranty work done and stated his
preference to have it addressed in Section 15.
SENATOR HUGHES expressed appreciation for the changes,
particularly the concern she voiced about dealer location.
9:14:59 AM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to report the CS for SB 47 from committee
with individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes.
CHAIR COSTELLO announced that without objection, CSSB 47(L&C) is
reported from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
9:15:14 AM
At ease
HB 102-LIMITED TEACHER CERTIFICATES; LANGUAGES
9:17:51 AM
CHAIR COSTELLO reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of HB 102. She said the intent is to hear the
bill, take public testimony, and hold the bill for further
consideration. [CSHB 102(EDC) was before the committee.]
9:18:30 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JONATHAN KREISS-TOMKINS, Alaska State
Legislature, sponsor of HB 102, stated that the bill authorizes
the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) to
grant Type M certificates to teachers of languages other than
English. He explained that HB 102 is the product of many
conversations and years of work. He said SB 75 is the companion
bill to HB 102. He noted the successes of world language
immersion programs in school districts in Alaska.
9:19:44 AM
REID MAGDANZ, Staff, Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins,
Alaska State Legislature, related that HB 102 authorizes the
State Board of Education to create a new type of limited
certificate specific to teachers teaching an immersion language
program. Currently, limited certificates authorized under AS
14.20.025 are valid for teaching vocational and technical
programs, Alaska Native language and culture classes, and
military science courses.
He said that Legislative Legal Services drafted the bill as a
repeal and reenactment, so much of the language in the bill
already exists in current law.
9:20:41 AM
MR. MAGDANZ referred to page 1, subsection (a), paragraphs (1-
3), which lay out the existing subjects for which limited
certificates can be issued. Paragraph (4) is the crux of the
bill and differs from current law.
He explained that limited teacher certificates allow schools to
capture known local talent not generally available for
classrooms. He used welders, mechanics, and Native speakers as
examples. Type M certificates differ from standard teacher
certificates in a couple of ways. Limited certificates must be
requested by local school boards on a case-by-case basis and
they are only good in the district that requested it.
9:22:54 AM
MR. MAGDANZ drew attention to two provisions that differ
slightly from current law. The first difference is on page 2,
lines 14 and 15, and requires the State Board of Education, when
writing its regulations on language immersion limited
certificates, to provide an option for applicants to demonstrate
competency that is not just taking a Praxis test. The second
difference is found in subsection (e). It adds a one-year
initial period for a limited certificate and a probationary
period for evaluation. Currently, there is only a probationary
period for some types of limited certificates.
9:24:21 AM
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked Representative Kreiss-Tomkins for his
interest. She listed several programs in her district: a
Japanese immersion program, a German immersion charter school, a
Russian immersion program, Spanish immersion program, and an
Alaska Native charter school.
She asked whether the main teacher will be in the classroom with
the limited certificate teacher.
9:25:18 AM
MR. MAGDANZ replied districts can apply any provisions they want
and use the teachers as they wish.
9:25:29 AM
CHAIR COSTELLO talked about allowing exchange students from
other countries to be in classrooms throughout the school day.
9:26:10 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS said he has not been party to that
conversation, although he is familiar with that situation. He
pointed out that Mt. Edgecombe High School in Sitka had exchange
teachers from China teaching Chinese language and culture in
school. He opined that those teachers could be eligible for a
type M certificate if the district and school board agree.
9:27:46 AM
MR. MAGDANZ said the bill should provide that flexibility to
districts. He suggested asking Mr. Locke, the director of
Anchorage's world language program, to speak to the issue.
SENATOR GARDNER requested more information about the extension
period.
MR. MAGDANZ replied the extension period is currently set in
regulation by the State Board. He offered his belief that it
would remain the same way under HB 102.
SENATOR GARDNER asked about the pay scale.
MR. MAGDANZ explained that pay is set at the local level and is
between the district and the teachers union. Some districts put
limited certification holders on the same pay scale as regular
teachers; other districts do it differently. The bill does not
affect how Type M teachers are paid.
9:29:28 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS said he believes that school
districts could provide more information about pay scale in
their testimony.
9:29:59 AM
SENATOR GARDNER asked about the teacher exchange program in
Sitka and wondered if the district incurs the expense of hiring
a new teacher.
9:30:35 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS said districts will have
discretion on hiring and paying Type M teachers.
9:31:20 AM
SENATOR STEVENS described the wording on line 12 on page 1 as
odd. It says, "any subject if the language of instruction is not
English." He suggested it should say "another language" instead
of "any subject."
9:31:42 AM
MR. MAGDANZ explained that the intention is to allow the State
Board to create a certificate that works for language immersion
programs. An immersion program often has classes in a foreign
language for half the day and in English the other half. The
bill will provide more flexibility to help staff the non-English
half-day, which is why "any subject" is used.
9:32:43 AM
SENATOR STEVENS countered that "any subject" could be
mathematics or history.
SENATOR HUGHES questioned whether math or history should be
taught by a limited certificate person. It is important that
teachers know their content area. She asked if Type M teachers
can take content Praxis examinations in other languages.
9:34:01 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MAGDANZ said the Praxis Exam is only offered in
English.
9:34:37 AM
SENATOR HUGHES referred to subsection (d) on page 2 and
expressed hope the State Board would adopt regulations to ensure
that Type M teachers had content knowledge in the areas they
were planning to teach. She asked if there are any immersion
courses in high school.
9:35:34 AM
MR. MAGDANZ said he did not know of any immersion programs
beyond grade 8. The bill intends that districts use discretion
when assigning Type M teachers to teach courses.
SENATOR HUGHES asked what subjects might be taught in non-
English languages.
9:36:29 AM
MR. MAGDANZ said he understands that they would have core
subjects during the English-speaking half of the day.
9:36:59 AM
CHAIR COSTELLO said she would have Department of Education and
Early Development (DEED) up next, followed by those who could
answer members' questions.
9:37:14 AM
SENATOR HUGHES said she wants students to learn language
fluency, as well as the additional benefits of brain development
that will help them in other subjects. She shared a story of how
a child was able to quickly pick up a second language.
9:38:27 AM
SENATOR STEVENS wondered if language immersion might prevent
non-English speaking students from learning English well.
9:39:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS opined that learning another
language would not exclude mastering English. Immersion language
programs in Alaska are highly regarded by parents.
9:40:45 AM
SENATOR HUGHES noted that English has become a global language.
She asked if Spanish immersion programs in Alaska are attended
by Spanish speakers or by English speakers.
9:41:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS said he understands that there is
a difference between bi-lingual and immersion language
education. Most immersion students grew up speaking English and
are learning another language.
CHAIR COSTELLO related that math scores for students who learn
another language are higher. She said she also heard that those
students who are behind when beginning an immersion program
catch up in English later in high school. She asked if there is
interest in extending immersion language teachers into high
school. She sees the Type M certificate teachers and foreign
exchange students as supplementing regular classes and providing
opportunities for enhancement.
9:45:41 AM
SENATOR GARDNER asked what Type I certificates are. She asked
why districts are prohibited from requiring Type M applicants to
take the Praxis exam. She also asked if an application can be
denied.
9:46:10 AM
MR. MAGDANZ explained that Type I is a limited certificate only
used by the Lower Kuskokwim School District in Bethel. It is for
those who have been teaching as a para-professional and are
working toward a Type A certificate.
To the second question, he explained that the prohibition in
testing found in (d) applies only to the State Board
regulations. A local school board could still require the Praxis
test as one way to demonstrate competency.
9:47:54 AM
SENATOR STEVENS noted the overwhelming need for remedial
education when students go to college and asked for assurance
that the bill wouldn't make that worse. He suggested the focus
should be on English proficiency.
9:48:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS said immersion language classes
are already in existence and the bill aims only to certify
immersion language teachers to do their jobs more effectively.
HB 102 does not mandate immersion education or extend it.
Outcomes from these programs are impressive and produce
successful students.
SENATOR STEVENS countered that many students are not succeeding
in English.
9:50:55 AM
CHAIR COSTELLO invited the Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED) to testify on the bill.
9:51:24 AM
BOB WILLIAMS, Director, Division of School Finance and
Facilities, Department of Education and Early Development
(DEED), voiced concerns with HB 102, even though DEED fully
supports immersion programs. He noted three ways of checking the
quality of teachers today and said the bill removes all three of
those methods: a Bachelor's Degree, a teacher preparation
program, and a competency exam. The bill does say the department
can require academic training, but not a teacher preparation
program. The bill removes the three checks on teacher quality.
9:53:52 AM
CHAIR COSTELLO agreed it was a repeal and enactment bill and
adds to a list that already exists. She asked how DEED justifies
someone who comes in to help teach vocational or technical
courses or ROTC programs.
MR. WILLIAMS said the Type M certification includes checks on
quality. He provided an example of a quality check by the
military. Another example is teaching by Alaska Native speakers.
The vocational technical piece does not require a BS, but they
have a technical skill and must pass a competency exam. However,
HB 102 says if you speak another language, then you can teach
any subject. It assumes that the person has the content
knowledge to teach all areas.
9:57:01 AM
CHAIR COSTELLO asked if he would support the bill if it
specified expertise in a specific language. She asked if there
is a lack of trust by DEED for local districts. She noted
districts can set local requirements and asked if that is
sufficient.
9:57:46 AM
MR. WILLIAMS said the department has a great deal of trust in
districts. Their concern is that when districts are in a bind
they may hire someone who is not qualified, and the state wants
to ensure a minimum quality.
9:58:39 AM
SENATOR STEVENS agreed with the concern. He gave an example of a
French teacher teaching other subjects besides French. He asked
how the district uses the Type I certificate.
MR. WILLIAMS explained the use of Type I certificate in the
Lower Yukon Kuskokwim School District (LYKSD), where para
professionals are on a pathway to get a Bachelor's Degree.
10:00:17 AM
SENATOR STEVENS reiterated his concern about remediation needs
in college. He asked how LYKSD students fare in college.
MR. WILLIAMS offered to provide that information.
10:01:22 AM
SENATOR HUGHES pointed out that subsection (d) on page 2 does
give the State School Board the ability to write regulations and
create quality checks. She suggested the department might give
the Board suggestions for quality checks.
MR. WILLIAMS stated his preference to have the teacher
preparation program, the B.S. degree, and the competency exam in
place.
10:03:01 AM
SENATOR HUGHES asked if the Board "shall require that the person
take academic training and achieve a certain score."
10:03:41 AM
SONDRA MEREDITH, Education Administrator, Department of
Education and Early Development (DEED), explained that their
main concern with HB 102 is allowing language teachers to teach
outside of their area of expertise. The department does not have
the means to require a level of postsecondary education or
teacher preparation or knowledge of content area. They would
have to fall back on district-determined measures of excellence.
The department would like to have more flexibility and more
tools available to them.
10:05:21 AM
SENATOR HUGHES asked if changing "may" to "shall" would be
agreeable to the department.
10:06:00 AM
MR. WILLIAMS replied that is still weaker than requiring a
teacher preparation program. He suggested allowing teachers who
are certified in other countries to teach in Alaska. The goal is
to get good teachers in the classroom and there is a need to
provide clear definitions of quality teaching.
10:07:31 AM
BRANDON LOCKE, Senior Director, Curriculum and Instruction,
Director, K-12 Language and Language Immersion Programs,
Anchorage School District, described their immersion programs.
The Russian program was started with a grant and has been a
model program. There are two Spanish immersion programs and a
bi-lingual/immersion two-way model program. There is a K-8
German immersion program and an advanced German immersion class
at East High School. They also have a Chinese immersion program.
The elementary immersion model is a half-day with a teacher for
English and math, and a half-day for science, social studies,
and the target language with a native-speaking teacher. In the
middle school, students attend two periods in the target
language - social studies and foreign language - in addition to
English. He was not aware of any advanced math or science class
taught in a foreign language at the high school level. He
provided an example of a high school foreign language class with
a theme or perspective such as Perspectives of Literature, a
Spanish course.
10:14:07 AM
He noted that the bill supports a one-year certificate. Parents
choose to put their students in immersion programs or not.
Research shows that students of immersion programs meet and
surpass academic scores. Science and social studies terms are
easier, generic, and global and fit into immersion better than
math.
He pointed out two instances where they would use this
certificate. He stated that they are not trying to bypass
teacher requirements. He provided an example of a French teacher
with a teaching certificate who could not pass the English on
the Praxis I test. The person acted as a teacher for substitute
pay with no health benefits. Another example was a Spanish
immersion teacher who required substitutes in the classroom. The
bill would provide the ability to hire them as teachers on the
limited one-year certificate.
10:18:56 AM
He spoke of Delaware and Utah's reciprocity programs with
Chinese and Spanish teachers provided at a state level.
He said he understands the concerns about students who are not
doing well in English. Immersion programs are not designed to
replace English classes. He spoke of a national campaign called
"Lead with Languages" designed to prepare American students to
work in a diverse, global marketplace.
10:20:56 AM
SENATOR GARDNER asked about students who do not do as well in
English. She related a personal experience that learning other
languages improves a person's native language. She asked if
there is data to that effect.
MR. LOCKE said yes, and he would share the research. In
Anchorage's programs there are a few Japanese "heritage
learners" who are learning three languages. Research also
supports the benefits of learning a third language.
10:23:39 AM
CHAIR COSTELLO said her interest in the bill is as a former
teacher and as a parent of children who are learning another
language. She stated the importance of keeping an open mind
about the bill and ensuring that the bill's goals are achieved
without putting children's education at risk.
MR. LOCKE shared the names of the researchers - Thomas and
Colliers.
10:25:28 AM
ALICE TAFF, representing herself, testified in support of HB
102. She shared her background as a teacher of many levels. She
agreed with the concern Senator Stevens has about students not
being ready for college. She maintained that the education
system is not good for all students. She said students who are
taught local language in schools are more successful
academically and have better health. The suicide rate is much
lower for Native language learners and language was the only
predictor. Students who know who they are don't commit suicide.
Also, they have lower instances of diabetes.
She concluded that children have one chance at education. She
stated the importance of starting now with immersion programs.
She said HB 102 can help children succeed in school. She noted
that the United Nations has designated 2018 as the Year of
Indigenous Languages. She said, "With the help of this bill,
Alaskans will be able to demonstrate in 2018 that we're on our
way to the positive results for students that we've seen from
immersion schools elsewhere."
10:31:07 AM
SENATOR STEVENS said it sounds like she is talking about a
Native-speaking student going into a Native-language class.
Earlier, the discussion was on the difference between immersion
and bi-lingual education.
MS. TAFF explained that she is talking about a model where a
Native student, whether they speak the language or not, is being
taught in their Native language. Successful immersion schools
start with one grade and added more grades as the students get
older. She shared data about the success rate of students who
are confident because of being taught in their own language.
10:34:30 AM
SENATOR STEVENS asked if this process is creating a bi-furcated
society in which there are English speakers and non-English
speakers. He asked how people succeed in life if they don't
speak English.
MS. TAFF said if people have respect for themselves they will be
successful.
SENATOR STEVENS asked if she had concerns about Native language
immersion students going to college.
MS. TAFF said under the current system, students are under
prepared, so this is a method of looking at education a
different way. She proposed that HB 102 will provide a different
system where local cultures are respected and recognized.
10:36:56 AM
SHAWN ARNOLD, Superintendent, Nome Public Schools, testified in
support of HB 102. He described how the schools are seeking new
avenues of language revitalization and using grant money to have
indigenous immersion schools. They have a shortage of fluent
speakers in their district.
He noted an example of a person who has completed a degree at
UAS, but cannot be hired as an immersion teacher. They have
worked to get Type M certificates to solve that problem. HB 102
provides another avenue to hire Native speakers.
10:39:47 AM
KATHRINE GARDNER, Executive Director, Human Resources, Mat-Su
Borough School District, testified in support of HB 102. She
spoke of problems getting Spanish immersion teachers and their
inability to pass the Praxis I. The bill will provide the
ability to hire these teachers. Specialized expertise adds great
value to their district.
10:42:15 AM
JENNIFER SCHMIDT-HUTCHINS, Principal, Frontieras Spanish
Immersion School, Mat-Su Borough School District, testified in
support of HB 102. She described their programs and noted scores
remain at or above the district-wide average. She said there are
checks and balances for immersion teachers who are evaluated
just like all other staff. She shared examples of Spanish
teachers who work in the immersion program, but cannot pass the
Praxis I exam and receive no benefits.
She concluded that HB 102 will help schools provide an enriching
learning experience.
10:48:10 AM
CHAIR COSTELLO closed public testimony on HB 102 and held the
bill for further consideration.
10:48:14 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Costello adjourned the Senate Labor & Commerce Standing
Committee at 10:48 a.m.