Legislature(2011 - 2012)CAPITOL 106
03/25/2011 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s): Superintendent, Unalaska City School District | |
| HB145|| HJR16 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 145 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HJR 16 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 25, 2011
8:03 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Alan Dick, Chair
Representative Lance Pruitt, Vice Chair
Representative Eric Feige
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative Peggy Wilson
Representative Sharon Cissna
Representative Scott Kawasaki
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Senator Fred Dyson
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION(S): SUPERINTENDENT~ UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
- HEARD
HOUSE BILL NO. 145
"An Act establishing the parental choice scholarship program to
be administered by school districts for the purpose of paying
the cost of attending grades kindergarten through 12 at public
and private schools; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 16
Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska
relating to state aid for education.
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 145
SHORT TITLE: K-12 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) KELLER
02/09/11 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/09/11 (H) EDC, FIN
03/25/11 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
BILL: HJR 16
SHORT TITLE: CONST. AM: EDUCATION FUNDING
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) KELLER
02/09/11 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/09/11 (H) EDC, JUD, FIN
03/25/11 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
WITNESS REGISTER
JOHN CONWELL, Superintendent
Unalaska City School District
Unalaska, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a PowerPoint overview of the
Unalaska City School District.
REPRESENTATIVE WES KELLER
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced the committee substitute (CS) as
the sponsor of HB 145.
TOM FINK, Board Member
Private School
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145 and HJR 16.
MIKE DUNLEAVY, Parent
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145 and HJR 16.
SARAH WELTON
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 145 and HJR
16.
LYNN GATTIS
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145.
DR. JESS ELLIS
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145.
BETHANY MARCUM
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145.
MARY ROWLEY, Principal
Cook Inlet Academy
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145.
DREW BAKER
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145.
JENNIE HAMMOND
Nikiski, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145.
KATHLEEN BALLENGER, Board Member
St. Mary's School Board
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145.
JON ROSS
Chugiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145.
JEFF MCDONALD
(No address provided)
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145.
ANNA BOUTWELL
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145.
MARY BARR
(No address provided)
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145 and HJR 16.
DAVE BRONSON
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145.
JIM MINNERY, President
Alaska Family Council
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145.
LORI BERRIGAN, Chair
Academic Policy Committee
Birchtree Charter School
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145.
JODI TAYLOR
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during discussion on HB 145.
NATE DAVIS, Superintendent
Grace Christian School
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145.
BILL NOLL
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145.
DAVID BOYLE
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145 and HJR 16.
DENNIS BRADLEY
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145.
SID HEIDERSDORF
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145.
RICHARD GIESSEL
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145.
KATHERINE HICKS
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 145 and HJR 16.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:03:39 AM
CHAIR ALAN DICK called the House Education Standing Committee
meeting to order at 8:03 a.m. Representatives Dick, Wilson,
Seaton, Feige, Pruitt, Cissna, and Kawasaki were present at the
call to order.
8:04:25 AM
^PRESENTATION(S): Superintendent, Unalaska City School District
PRESENTATION(S): Superintendent, Unalaska City School District
8:04:39 AM
CHAIR DICK announced that the first order of business would be a
presentation from the superintendent of the Unalaska City School
District.
8:05:00 AM
JOHN CONWELL, Superintendent, Unalaska City School District,
presented a PowerPoint entitled "Unalaska City School District."
He stated that Unalaska was located about 800 air miles
Southwest of Anchorage and was the last stop on the Alaska
Marine Highway's run out to the Aleutians. He reported that the
Port of Dutch Harbor was a year round ice-free port located in
the shipping lanes between the West Coast and Pacific Rim
nations and was ranked the number one port in the United States
for the volume of seafood landed. He stated that, as of the
most recent Census, the Unalaska population was 4,376, but that
during the fishing seasons three fish processing plants brought
in another 5-6 thousand people. He pointed out that the local
economy relied heavily on the fishing industry and the
businesses that supported the fishing industry, and that there
was virtually no unemployment in Unalaska.
Referring to the two schools in Unalaska City School District,
he reported that Eagle's View Elementary School had been open 10
years, and had 265 students in grades pre-K - 6 with 15
teachers, 7 instructional aides, and a principal. He pointed
out that Unalaska City School had 200 students in grades 7-12,
with 18 teachers, 5 instructional aides, and a principal. He
spoke about the recent $4.5 million renovation, funded through
the Debt Reimbursement Program, and reported that these
renovations modernized many of the building's systems and had
included many energy saving upgrades.
He stated that the students had access to three computer labs
and seven mobile computer carts. He declared that stimulus
dollars were used to install interactive white boards in 75
percent of the classrooms, although bandwidth issues still
limited the distance education opportunities. He expressed
optimism that a fiber optic cable would one day link Unalaska to
the mainland.
He proudly declared that Unalaska City Junior/Senior High School
was awarded a 2010 US News and World Report Bronze Medal, one of
only 6 bronze medalists in Alaska, and that Unalaska City School
was nominated for the 2011 Blue Ribbon Schools Award.
He reported that both schools enjoyed tremendous support from
the City of Unalaska, community members, and parents, and that
participation in the Parent-Teacher conferences was close to 100
percent in the elementary school and above 70 percent in the
Junior/Senior High School.
He described the ethnically diverse student body as one of the
district's greatest strengths, as students learned to respect
and appreciate one another's cultures. He indicated that 32
percent of the students qualified for English as a Second
Language (ESL) services, which was down from 42 percent in the
prior year. He announced that the teachers were trained in the
Sheltered Instruction and Observation Protocol (SIOP), with the
goal for all teachers to become experts in ESL instructional
methods: "Meeting the educational needs of our non-English
speaking students continues to be a challenge that we strive to
get better at each year."
He observed that the preschool program was critical for school
readiness, especially for children learning English as a second
language and for children with disabilities, and that the
District had 40 families enrolled in the Imagination Library.
He noted that the remoteness of Unalaska afforded many local
educational resources, which included the hatchery located just
across the street from the high school, and with the Marine
Advisory Program office in the same facility. He directed
attention to the Museum of the Aleutians, a world-class facility
that provided educational programs in the schools and was a
popular field trip destination.
He spoke about the school district partnerships with local
entities to provide educational opportunities for students,
which included: Iliuliuk Clinic, and the school nurse; the
aforementioned Museum of the Aleutians; the Aleutian Pribilof
Islands Association, and the Behavioral Health counselor;
Ounalashka Corporation, and the Unangan Language and Culture
Program; the Qawalangin Tribal Council, and the Camp Qungaayux
Summer Culture Program; and the City of Unalaska, which
consistently funded the schools to the allowable cap.
He reported that the average number of graduates for the past
five years had been 25 students, and that each school had
consistently made AYP (adequate yearly progress) since the
passage of NCLB (No Child Left Behind). He pointed out that, as
the Annual Measurable Objective continued to climb toward 100
percent in 2014, it would be exceedingly difficult for the
district to make AYP. He declared that the school district
encouraged students to pass as many of the HSGQE (High School
Graduation Qualifying Exams) on their first try as possible, as
those who did not pass were assigned an additional math or
English class specifically designed to prepare them for the
exams. He explained that the students were motivated to pass in
order to free up their schedules for advanced courses,
vocational courses, music, foreign language, and art.
He observed that, beginning in 2008, the school district began
asking graduating seniors to participate in a comprehensive
survey. Graduates were surveyed just before graduation, again
after 18 months, and again in 5 years, with the hope to collect
data from these surveys to see how effective the programs were
for preparing students for their post-high school goals.
He indicated that the school district required all high school
students to develop a plan for post-high school. Beginning in
the 9th grade, students would work with the counseling
department to develop their plans. He stated that the important
thing was that when they walked out the door with a diploma,
they also had a plan with a portfolio to back it up.
He spoke about the access to a variety of programs, courses, and
co-curricular activities for students, which included: Math,
English, Social Studies, Science, Vocational Education (Welding,
Carpentry, CADD, Principals of Technology, Office Procedures,
and Personal Finance), World Languages (Russian, Spanish, and
German), Music, Art, and Physical Education & Health.
He noted that the District also had an alternative high school
program, LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone), which served students
who may have struggled in a traditional classroom setting,
students who had fallen behind in credits, and older students
who were new to the country and may need a place to improve
their English skills before entering the regular classroom.
He pointed out the co-curricular sports and academic activities,
which included: Varsity sports in swimming, cross country,
basketball, volleyball, and wrestling, foreign language club,
pep club, spelling bee, geography bee, pep band, Poetry Out
Loud, Battle of the Books, and Letters about Literature.
He spoke about the educational achievements of the faculty
members as more than 50 percent had Master's Degrees.
He touted the fantastic students, as they were eager and
motivated learners, and it was "cool to be smart." The students
had recently distinguished themselves in many statewide academic
competitions, including: Poetry Out Loud, Letters about
Literature, and the Alaska Science and Engineering Fair.
8:16:09 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI asked for more information on the
funding for the early childhood pre-K program.
MR. CONWELL, in response, relayed that the city appropriation
was $118,000, and that tuition accounted for an additional
$50,000.
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI asked if there were any measurements of
student performance upon entry into kindergarten from the pre-K
program.
MR. CONWELL reported that pre-assessments and post assessments
were administered for the pre-K program, and he offered to send
the results to the committee. He noted that the kindergarten
teacher confirmed a "huge difference in students who have
attended our pre-school program prior to coming to kindergarten
and those that don't, just in their readiness for school, their
ability to recognize colors and letters and numbers."
8:18:05 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if there was any use of technology
in the early learning programs.
MR. CONWELL indicated that Imagination Library was a primary
tool, and that the pre-school philosophy was "learning through
play." He declared that, at this early age, students did not
use computers or i-pads and were encouraged to play, to sing,
and to socialize.
8:19:26 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON, noting that 50 percent of the teachers
had additional certification, asked about the teacher turnover
rate.
8:19:47 AM
MR. CONWELL replied that the turnover average was about 20
percent. He shared that for the current school year there would
be 3 teaching positions available from a staff of 33 teachers.
8:20:39 AM
CHAIR DICK observed that there was a strong work ethic in the
community that carried into the schools.
8:21:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA recalled that there were many community
youth activities while adults were working.
MR. CONWELL agreed that the community provided many student
opportunities, and that it was a good place to raise children.
HB 145-K-12 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
HJR 16-CONST. AM: EDUCATION FUNDING
8:23:10 AM
CHAIR DICK announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 145, "An Act establishing the parental choice
scholarship program to be administered by school districts for
the purpose of paying the cost of attending grades kindergarten
through 12 at public and private schools; and providing for an
effective date", and HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 16, Proposing
amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating
to state aid for education. He pointed out that these two bills
would be heard together. [In front of the committee was Version
I of HB 145.]
8:23:50 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 145, Version 27-LS0223\D, Mischel,
3/24/11, as the working document.
8:24:10 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON objected for discussion.
8:24:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE WES KELLER, Alaska State Legislature, explained
that a coalition had worked to build the language of the bill,
and that it would be difficult to list a point by point of the
changes to Version D. He stated that the intent of the bill
would be understood.
8:25:03 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE asked if the proposed committee substitute,
Version D, mirrored proposed SB 106.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER agreed that the house and senate versions
mirrored each other.
8:25:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON removed his objection.
[There being no further objection, Version D was adopted as the
work draft.]
8:25:51 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER explained that HB 145 would provide
parents with more control over the education of their children,
as parents were the most likely to make decisions about the
appropriate learning environment for their children. He
directed attention to Version D, Page 1, line [7-10], which
stated: "The parental choice scholarship program is established
for the purpose of providing public funding of the cost of
attending grades [kindergarten] through 12 at a public or
private school selected by the student's parent or legal
guardian." He declared that the research clearly revealed that
private education cost half of the cost for publicly funded
schools, and provided superior results. He declared that it was
"intuitively obvious to me that the people paying the bills, the
taxes, ought to have some level of choice on where the children
go to school." He stated that the funding formula for students
would simply pass the revenue to a participating public or
private school. He agreed that the Alaska State Constitution
declared that the legislature shall establish and maintain a
system of public schools open to all children of the state and
that no money shall be paid from public funds for the direct
benefit of any religious or other private educational
institution. He directed attention to HJR 16, which was being
discussed in conjunction with HB 145 as a means to change the
Alaska State Constitution, and noted that these bills would be
moved together.
8:29:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON asked how this bill would work with
regard to the various school funding.
8:29:56 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER replied that the Department of Education
and Early Development (EED) would address the regulations, and
that the funds would be paid to a school based on a "similarly
positioned student."
8:30:50 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON asked to define the use of the word
"scholarship."
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER replied that the check would be written to
the selected private school, and not the parents, as would be
the case in a voucher program. He pointed out that this system
necessitated passage of HJR 16.
8:31:38 AM
CHAIR DICK pointed out that Senator Dyson, sponsor of SB 106,
was present and available for questions.
8:31:51 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE indicated concern for the state investment
in the school facilities, which were separate from classroom
education costs. He asked how HB 145 would separate these
costs. He projected a scenario whereby a school could lose
sufficient students to no longer have operational funding.
8:33:09 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER replied that proposed HB 145 made no
distinction. He stated that it was based on the ADM (average
daily membership) formula. He stated: "I personally think that
the good public schools will have no problem because they can
also be a participating school and so, they are in the game,
like you say, for the competition."
8:34:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE directed attention to "the reasonable costs
of transporting the student" and he asked for a definition to
reasonable. He pointed to the rural areas with greater
distances between schools, and the potential for significant
cost.
8:35:01 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER replied "I'd be afraid to guess how
reasonable would be defined, but to me, the emphasis on this is
that it is definitely left up to the district." He stated that
each local district was different and this would need to be
addressed by the local school board.
8:35:50 AM
CHAIR DICK emphasized that HB 145 "would be disruptive to the
current paradigm."
8:36:32 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA reflected on the already existing
financial challenges facing Alaska, and asked how HB 145 would
achieve the access to equality in education.
8:38:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER suggested that this might be better
answered by other testifiers, as this bill was supported by a
coalition.
8:38:22 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON asked that the witnesses identify the
school situation for their student.
8:38:50 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT asked if there was a fiscal note.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER replied that he assumed there would be a
fiscal note forthcoming.
REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT asked if this would supplement those
currently paying for private schools.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER replied that HB 145 merely addressed that
the money would be sent to the private school. He offered his
belief that parents would no longer be required to pay for their
children to attend private schools.
8:40:34 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT asked if there was concern by existing
private schools that entering into a public process would
sacrifice their independence from public guidelines.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER replied that the language of the bill
clarified that schools would administer their own programs.
8:41:45 AM
CHAIR DICK opened public testimony.
8:42:33 AM
TOM FINK, Board Member, Private School, said that parents should
have the absolute choice for what school their child attends and
that "the government money will follow that child and the
government will have no restrictions beyond health and safety."
He opined that there was a lot of national dissatisfaction with
public education, with a variety of ideas for improvement. He
said that the local school district should provide money to the
participating schools, which would not exceed what was already
being paid for students. He said this would be limited to local
and state money, with no federal money. He offered his belief
that it would improve the level of education, as one type of
school was not best for everyone. He opined that the parent
would make the better decision for a child than the government.
He declared that it would enable more innovative schools. He
stated his support for HJR 16 and HB 145.
8:46:48 AM
MIKE DUNLEAVY, Parent, declared that he was "a lifelong educator
in the State of Alaska" and the parent of three school age
children. He stated his support of HB 145 and SB 106. He said
that HB 145 would assist the public education in Alaska, as
there was a current monopoly on education, with almost no
competition. He declared that the scholarship program would
have multiple positive impacts. He allowed that there may "a
little bit of chaos as this firms up, but in the long run, I
think it's going to help the state education system because
there is going to be competition and there's going to be choice
models for parents."
8:50:03 AM
SARAH WELTON read from the Alaska State Constitution: "no money
shall be paid from public funds to the direct benefit of any
religious or other private educational institution." She stated
that she was adamantly opposed to this change in the
constitution. She declared that the protection afforded was
necessary to ensure that support was not given to any specific
philosophies. In response to an earlier question from
Representative P. Wilson, she said that her two children, her
foster children, and her grandchildren had attended or would
attend public schools. She affirmed that she was an American
Baptist pastor, and that HB 145 was an affront to both her and
her congregation. She opined that it would be "a nightmare for
bureaucracy" to move students out of their home districts. She
stated her belief that it was necessary to increase and improve
the funding for all schools.
8:52:54 AM
LYNN GATTIS said that she was a lifelong Alaskan with two
children, one enrolled in home school and one in a neighborhood
school. She declared her support for HB 145 as "I know that
monopolies do not produce the best. Our present public school
systems are just that, monopolies." She stated that competition
in the schools would bring about change.
8:54:51 AM
DR. JESS ELLIS offered his belief that the public schools were
"the educational equivalent of the old Soviet collective farms."
He reminisced about the breakup of "Ma Bell" and reflected that
innovation was its result, despite the fears that communication
would crumble. He endorsed an end to the public school
monopoly, to allow parents to choose for the needs of their
children. He opined that this would better meet the needs of
lower income families which could not currently afford private
schools.
8:58:18 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked to have the witnesses respond to
whether the current statewide education standards should apply
to the private schools.
8:59:18 AM
BETHANY MARCUM said that, although she was not a parent, she was
aware of students who had concerns for the options to a quality
education. She questioned the odds of finding a neighborhood
school which fit each student's needs. She endorsed HB 145.
9:02:32 AM
MARY ROWLEY, Principal, Cook Inlet Academy, detailed that Cook
Inlet Academy was a private, Christian school, with an
enrollment of 165 students. She advocated that it was the
responsibility of the parent for the education of a child. She
opined that parents of children in private schools had to pay
both taxes and tuition. She stated that parents should have the
educational choice for their children. She reported that her
school partnered with parents to educate the children and that
the school had a 100 percent graduation rate. She endorsed
curriculum standards and accountability. She opined that HB 145
would allow schools to maintain identity. She expressed support
for HB 145.
9:05:38 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if the private schools could reject
applicants.
MS. ROWLEY replied that private school would need the ability to
screen applicants, as many private schools did not have the
facilities for special needs students, and there was a limited
capacity. She relayed that Cook Inlet Academy did not
compromise on its curriculum, and she pointed to the statement
of faith which was required of the parents to sign.
9:07:23 AM
DREW BAKER said that he agreed with choice and that monopolies
were not good. He offered his belief that schools should be
rewarded for doing well. He shared that one of his children was
in a private school, and one was in the public school, with the
decision based on each of their needs. He opined that public
school did have a philosophy of education and social upbringing.
He stated that although HB 145 was a departure from the Alaska
State Constitution, no bill was perfect, and the current
situation was not perfect.
9:10:30 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON, acknowledging that many parents would
like their child to attend private school, asked Ms. Rowley how
the students would be chosen.
9:11:51 AM
MS. ROWLEY explained that every family was interviewed, the
school philosophy was explained, and a determination was made
whether the school would meet the needs of the child. She noted
that students were often allowed to enroll for a probationary
period if there was any question. She declared that the
interview process was designed to be as thorough as possible.
9:13:08 AM
JENNIE HAMMOND said that her two children attended the private
Cook Inlet Academy, as she had observed that the public school
system was not working for her "special needs child" with "a
learning issue". She opined that many children would benefit
from smaller schools with smaller classrooms. She suggested
that the charter school was the only other current option in her
area. She stated her support for HB 145.
9:15:24 AM
KATHLEEN BALLENGER, Board Member, St. Mary's Catholic School
Board in Kodiak, stated her "wholehearted support for HB 145."
She said that Alaska was behind on the school choice issue. She
stated that the request was simple, "that each parent or
guardian of a school age child gets to choose the school where
they want their child to be educated." She declared that this
would offer opportunities to many parents who could not consider
private schools because of the cost. She predicted that this
would allow private and public schools to compete for students,
and that everyone would benefit. She lauded her education, and
that of her grandchildren, at a private catholic school.
9:17:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if all of the teachers at the school
were certified by the state.
MS. BALLENGER replied that they were all certified.
CHAIR DICK asked about the drop out and graduation rates.
MS. BALLENGER replied that there was a 100 percent graduation
rate.
9:18:32 AM
JON ROSS stated his support for HB 145. He offered his belief
that the public school system was broken, failing many students
across the state, and that it was time to make systemic changes
to the school system. In Anchorage, the public schools were
failing the Alaska Native students, their graduation rate was 43
percent, and their proficiency scores were 30 points lower than
Caucasian students. He reported that Native students had stated
that "they don't feel comfortable in [the] schools and that
there's a lot of discrimination." He declared that Alaska
Native student proficiency scores were worsening, the
environment was not safe, the schools were not culturally
responsive, and that the system was antiquated. He stated his
support for HB 145, to allow parents the choice of schools for
their children.
9:23:49 AM
JEFF MCDONALD said that he was the parent of a student who had
attended public school. He expressed his frustration with the
public school experience for his child, so she was enrolled in a
small private school. He compared that the cost for the private
school was $3,000 annually versus $12,000 annually for the
public school. He said that he supported the school standards
for curriculum.
9:26:43 AM
ANNA BOUTWELL stated her support for HB 145, that the bill was
about choice and that parents should be allowed to decide what
was best for their children. She offered her belief that HB 145
would allow a continuum of the values that were taught in the
home.
9:30:14 AM
MARY BARR shared that she was a grandparent, and she stated her
support for HB 145 and HJR 16, as HB 145 would provide
accountability by the local school system.
9:31:04 AM
DAVE BRONSON said that he had two students in private school,
and he opined that the Anchorage public schools were failing the
students, as only 69 percent were graduating, even though there
was payment of $17,000 per student annually. He spoke of the
"lottery" for admission to charter, optional and immersion
schools, and that this system was unacceptable. Replying to an
earlier comment by Representative Cissna, he said that students
were assigned to schools by their zip code, with no choice. He
stated his support for HB 145.
9:33:22 AM
JIM MINNERY, President, Alaska Family Council, said that he had
attended Anchorage public schools, but that his three children
were enrolled in a private Christian school. He stated that
attendance in this private school was only possible with
financial support from the grandparents of the children. He
noted that this private school did not provide a socio economic
or cultural diversity, and he opined that this was because of
cost. He pointed to available information which indicated that
school choice programs improved public school performance and
created healthy competition, and he read from the conclusion of
one study: "Our result suggests that policies that introduce
competition to public schools spur improvements in public school
student test scores." He implored the House Education Standing
Committee to move HB 145 out of committee. He stated that the
proposed bill was not an attack on the public school, but was an
opportunity for choice and for improvement in the public
schools.
9:37:42 AM
LORI BERRIGAN, Chair, Academic Policy Committee, Birchtree
Charter School, shared that she had two school age children and
that she was a founding parent of Birchtree Charter School. She
stated her belief of choice in education. She declared that HB
145 allowed parents to become involved in their child's
education. She encouraged passage of HB 145.
9:39:24 AM
JODI TAYLOR expressed her concern that the belief of competition
in the public school system would not make our schools better.
She opined that private universities in the United States were
the best in the world.
9:40:33 AM
NATE DAVIS, Superintendent, Grace Christian School, stated his
support for HB 145, paraphrasing from a prepared statement,
which read [original punctuation provided]:
I am a 43-year Alaskan who has been educated in both
public and private K-12 schools in Alaska. I
graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage with
degrees in Math and Education. I have taught for
seven years in the public schools of Alaska and have
been educating students for the last fifteen years at
Grace Christian School in Anchorage and now serve as
its Superintendent. My wife and I have four children
and have educated them in public school, home school
and private school.
I am in full support of HB 145.
The question on this bill that must remain the
priority is, "What is best for Alaskan children?" And
the answer to that most significant question is, "Only
the parent knows best."
The state has long held that parents have the God-
given right and responsibility to provide what is best
for the child: food, clothing, housing, discipline,
and education.
Should the state ever decide to aid parents in
providing what is best for the child, it should do so
in an equitable manner for all citizens of the state.
Obviously, this state has long ago decided to give
financial assistance to parents to educate their own
children.
However, the current system provides 100 percent
funding for some parents, partial funding for parents
who choose charter schools, only a fraction for those
who choose to home-school, and 0 percent for those
parents who know that a private school is the best
answer for their child. This partiality and
discrimination by the state in funding education is
finally addressed in HB 145, which allows the state to
help all parents bear the full and reasonable cost of
educating their child.
This reminds me of The American's Creed which my
private school made me memorize in 5th or 6th grade.
More than 90 years ago, William Tyler Page won a
national contest sponsored by the Commissioner of
Education of New York when he authored this brief
document that captures the essence of America's most
significant founding documents. And I recite in part,
"I believe in the United States of America as a
Government of the people by the people, for the
people, whose just powers are derived from the consent
of the governed; a democracy in a Republic; a
sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect
Union, one and inseparable; established upon those
principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity
for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and
fortunes."
As for Freedom: Thank you for our current laws and
leadership! Parents of Alaska already have the
freedom to choose which school is best for their
child… as long as they have a substantial amount of
extra money.
As for Equality: Why do some parents receive $15,000
per child, others $10,000, some only $1,500, and some
none? HB 145 addresses Equality by paying the full
cost of education for each Alaskan child.
As for Justice: Lawmakers, I beseech you to refuse to
allow the debate to center around the self-interests
of adults. Which adults will be affected by this
bill? Who will be empowered? Who will feel slighted?
These are all red herrings. Focus on what is just.
As for Humanity: Keep the debate centered on what is
best for children and stand firm on the principle that
only parents know best what is best for the child.
This is a constitutional issue. Under our current
system, many of your Alaska constituents either work
multiple jobs, settle for less for their children,
live with guilt that they should be doing better for
their kids, or dramatically sacrifice their
lifestyles. They sacrifice their very lives, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness to give their children
the best. This last, by the way, is very noble if the
state asks every other citizen to do the same.
As for Grace Christian School and most private
schools-yes, we do have grave concerns about what
government restrictions might accompany government
funding that might try to limit our school's autonomy.
We say that under this bill all private schools should
remain autonomous-their personal distinctive are why
parents choose them. Even public schools believe in
site-based management to empower parents to impact
excellence in schools.
What about accountability for private schools? If
someone asks the question, then they do not yet
understand the beauty of a free enterprise system
where competition brings out the best in everyone.
Every private school, like every private business, is
already under more accountability than the state could
ever heap upon it. Parents choose us to educate their
child. If we cannot keep parents satisfied, they
leave. It's that simple. And, this principle of free
enterprise is the very principle that will make our
public schools stronger than ever when HB 145 becomes
law.
I urge you to trust parents. Trust competition. When
private schools like Grace take average Alaskan
students and graduate 100 percent of them and send 95
percent of seniors on to colleges and universities
where they excel, what rules of accountability are
necessary to make sure they are doing a good job?
Also, do not let the fears of a mass exodus from
public schools deter you. Even if thousands of
parents wanted to leave, there would be very little
physical room in current charter and private schools
in the early years for them to do so. It would be a
slow transition as existing schools expanded and new
schools were birthed, giving public schools several
years to become more competitive. The final result?
A nurturing educational environment in Alaska where
children would thrive in a large variety of schools
chosen by their parents.
I urge you to let Alaska become the innovative leader
of our nation in excellent education by moving HB 145.
9:44:09 AM
BILL NOLL stated his support for HB 145, and said that this "may
be the most important piece of legislation in front of the
legislature this year."
9:45:13 AM
DAVID BOYLE stated that he had three adopted children who had
attended school in five different state school districts. He
declared his strong support for HB 145 and HJR 16, paraphrasing
from a prepared statement, which read [original punctuation
provided]:
I come to you as a concerned Alaskan. I have been
active in education policy issues for about 3 years. I
would like to preface my remarks before my
presentation. I represent no special interests. I only
represent what is the best for our kids. I have no
vested financial interests in House Bill 145 and HJR
16. However, I do stand to gain when all Alaskan
children can have the opportunity to reach their
maximum potential.
I strongly support HB 145 because it creates the
opportunities for kids to become productive citizens
of this state and country. This bill gives parents the
right to choose the best educational fit for their
children, whether it be a charter school, public
school, private school or home school. A child should
not be relegated to attend the school in which he/she
lives if it is a failing school or does not fit the
child's learning style or needs. We have these failing
schools in Anchorage-they remain open under waivers
from the Dept of Ed and Early Development and the US
Dept of Education. Why must children from these
neighborhoods be required to attend failing schools?
Many of the failing schools in Anchorage are Title 1
schools and located in lower income neighborhoods.
These lower income families are unable to get their
kids out of these schools and into either charter or
optional schools. (by the way, the charter and
optional schools in Anchorage are the absolute best
when it comes to student achievement.) Under HB 145,
these parents could opt out of these failing schools
and enroll their kids in private schools or non-public
charter schools. If schools are failing, the kids
should not be allowed to fail.
Children should not be denied a good education because
of the neighborhood in which they live. They should be
allowed to choose the right school just like the
families with the necessary financial resources do.
These kids should not be denied an equal opportunity
to a quality education because of a zip code.
The current way of doing business, throwing money at
the problem, is not solving the root cause of the
problem. Today we have an education monopoly in which
only the wealthy can choose options. This educational
system has little incentive to improve because there
is virtually no competition. This system asks for more
money to solve its problems with little, if any,
accountability for making progress toward increasing
student achievement.
This bill and HJR 16 can bring a transformational
change to a broken system. Alaska can blaze a trail
and set the example for the other states in true
school choice. I ask that you be the trailblazers for
our kids. Our only focus should be on the kids and
what is best for them!
9:48:39 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE asked Mr. Boyle how the Alaska school
districts compared to the five other state school districts
which his children had attended.
MR. BOYLE replied that Anchorage was in the middle.
9:49:15 AM
DENNIS BRADLEY declared that his children and grandchildren had
attended public school in Anchorage, and he stated his support
of HB 145 as it would provide parents the flexibility to choose
the school best suited for their children.
9:52:16 AM
SID HEIDERSDORF, stating his support for HB 145, paraphrased
from a prepared statement, which read [original punctuation
provided]:
I support H.B. 145. I believe the availability of a
scholarship program giving parents the choice of which
schools they wish to support is a step in the right
direction. I think most people agree that the
performance of our schools in terms of student
educations has seriously declined. We have witnessed
for many years the failure in our public schools as
they have morphed into social services organizations.
During this time the constant demand has been for more
and more money. In fact, the decline in school
performance has occurred precisely during the period
when more and more public money is being spent in
public education. It is an unhappy fact that very few
public officials and legislators are willing to stand
up to the powerful unions and professional school
administrators as they demand an increase in
expenditures.
The problem with our schools is not lack of adequate
funding. In Alaska, the amount of money spent per
student ranks near the top when compared to the fifty
states. More money will not salvage the present
system. We are long past the time when we should have
admitted that our present approach does not work and
we need a change in direction.
There are many reasons for the decline of our schools
and H.B. 145 or similar approaches represent needed
changes. Reversing the trend will not be easy because
of the entrenched and powerful opposition which major
changes will precipitate. I believe at least two major
changes are required to improve the performance of our
schools and make them responsive once again to the
educational needs of our children. First of all we
need a drastic restructuring of the public school
system which gives more autonomy to local schools.
This would involve freeing the schools from the grasp
of the existing educational bureaucracy and the
National Education Association, thereby, giving our
good teachers a chance to do the job they were hired
to do- namely teach.
Secondly, a good dose of competition among our schools
would be beneficial for all of our schools. Parental
choice will return some power to the parents where it
belongs. This is where H.B.145 would contribute to
improving our schools. There is nothing like
competition to improve services and performance as
schools concentrate on the business at hand which is
education.
Ultimately, I believe a full-fledged voucher system
whereby parents receive money for each child and the
freedom to select the school of their choice is
cheaper simpler to administer. It would provide
incentive to our schools that we are finally serious
about improving their performance. In conclusion, I
support H.B. 145. I believe it is a step in the right
direction to give some choice to parents to support
schools that are doing a good job.
9:55:35 AM
RICHARD GIESSEL stated his support for HJR 16 and HB 145, and
noted that he had been a teacher for 16 years. Paraphrasing
from a prepared statement, he read [original punctuation
provided]:
Public Schools are Religious.
Secular Humanism is the official State Religion of our
Public Schools.
John Dewey, father of modern public education was main
architect of the 1933 "Humanist Manifesto."
Charles Francis Potter, honorary president of the
National Education Association was coauthor of the
"Humanist Manifesto."
First Amendment to US Constitution states, "Congress
shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
Federal Department of Education, State of Alaska, and
Anchorage School Board have all violated the First
Amendment by establishing Secular Humanism as the
official atheistic religion of the State and
eliminating Biblical Christianity from public schools.
It is wrong for the State to confiscate a citizen's
property by force (through property and business
taxes) and use that money to indoctrinate his children
in a religious worldview contrary to what he believes.
The proposed School Choice bill corrects this
violation of the First Amendment for citizens of the
State of Alaska.
It restores freedom of religion by allowing parents to
put their children in a school where their religion
will be respected and affirmed rather than mocked and
denigrated.
It stops the legal plunder of Theistic Believers by
the State and the exclusive use of the confiscated
property to indoctrinate Theistic Believers' children
in atheism.
The State is not God and should not dictate teaching a
single Religious Worldview. Please fix our faulty
state constitution and restore our freedom of religion
by passing the School Choice measures.
9:57:51 AM
CHAIR DICK agreed that secular humanism was the religion of the
state.
9:58:14 AM
KATHERINE HICKS stated that her son went to public school, and
she shared her reactions to visits of the local grade schools.
She stated her support of HB 145 and HJR16, and pointed out that
the bill addressed the need for academic accountability.
9:59:51 AM
CHAIR DICK declared that public testimony would remain open.
[HB 145 and HJR 16 were held over.]
10:00:56 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 145 Support.pdf |
HEDC 3/25/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 145 |
| HB 145 Sectional.pdf |
HEDC 3/25/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 145 |
| HB 145 Sponsor.pdf |
HEDC 3/25/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 145 |
| CSHB 145 Version D.pdf |
HEDC 3/25/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 145 |
| HJR016A.pdf |
HEDC 3/25/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HJR 16 |
| Rethinking schools.pdf |
HEDC 3/25/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HB 145 |
| Parent Chocie Legal memo.pdf |
HEDC 3/25/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HJR 16 |
| HJR 16 Fiscal Note.pdf |
HEDC 3/25/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HJR 16 |
| HJR 16 Sponsor.pdf |
HEDC 3/25/2011 8:00:00 AM |
HJR 16 |