03/09/2015 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB80 | |
| Presentation: Research on Educator Quality and Quantity: a Project of Citizens for the Educational Advancement of Alaska's Children | |
| Presentation: Superintendent Lake and Peninsula School District on Innovative Teacher Training/recruiting Program | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 80 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 9, 2015
8:01 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Wes Keller, Chair
Representative Lora Reinbold, Vice Chair
Representative Jim Colver
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative Liz Vazquez
Representative Harriet Drummond
Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 80
"An Act repealing the requirement for secondary students to take
college and career readiness assessments."
- MOVED HB 80 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PRESENTATION: RESEARCH ON EDUCATOR QUALITY AND QUANTIFY: A
PROJECT OF CITIZENS FOR THE EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT OF ALASKA'S
CHILDREN
- HEARD
PRESENTATION: SUPERINTENDENT LAKE AND PENINSULA SCHOOL DISTRICT
ON INNOVATIVE TEACHER TRAINING/RECRUITING PROGRAM
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 80
SHORT TITLE: REPEAL COLLEGE/CAREER READINESS ASSESS.
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) GATTIS
01/26/15 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/26/15 (H) EDC
03/04/15 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
03/04/15 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/09/15 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN GATTIS
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 80, as prime sponsor.
JAMES HARVEY, Director
Employment Security Division
Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DLWD)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During the hearing on HB 80, answered
questions.
BARBARA HANEY
North Pole, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During the hearing on HB 80, testified in
support.
LORIE KOPPENBERG
Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During the hearing on HB 80, testified in
support.
PEGGY COWAN, Superintendent
North Slope Borough School District
Barrow, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified that the North Slope Borough
School District has no official position on HB 80.
CONNIE NEWMAN, Superintendent
Pribilof Island School District
St. Paul, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During the hearing on HB 80, testified in
support.
JACK WALSH, Superintendent
Craig School District
Craig, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During the hearing on HB 80, testified in
support.
DEENA PARAMO, Superintendent
Matanuska-Susitna School District
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During the hearing on HB 80, testified in
support.
LES MORSE, Deputy Commissioner
Commissioner's Office
Department of Education and Early Development (EED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During the hearing on HB 80, answered
questions.
JERRY COVEY, Private Education Consultant
JSC Consulting
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented Educator Quality and Quantity.
BARBARA ADAMS, PhD Analyst
Adams Analytic Solutions
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented Educator Quality and Quantity.
TY MASE, Superintendent
Lake and Peninsula School District
King Salmon, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented growth in academic achievement in
Southwest Alaska.
BILL HILL, Superintendent
Bristol Bay Borough School District
Naknek, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information regarding tutors and
academic achievement.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:01:19 AM
CHAIR WES KELLER called the House Education Standing Committee
meeting to order at 8:01 a.m. Representatives Seaton, Vazquez,
Colver, Drummond, Kreiss-Tomkins, Reinbold, and Keller were
present at the call to order.
HB 80-REPEAL COLLEGE/CAREER READINESS ASSESS.
8:02:25 AM
CHAIR KELLER announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 80, "An Act repealing the requirement for
secondary students to take college and career readiness
assessments."
8:02:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN GATTIS, Alaska State Legislature, presented
HB 80, paraphrasing from the sponsor statement, which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
Repeal of College and Career Readiness Assessment
Requirement
With the passage of HB278 in 2014, all secondary
students must take the ACT, SAT or WorkKeys Assessment
exam to receive a high school diploma, at the States
expense. The change in the States fiscal situation
provides an opportunity to take a second look at this
funding, without impacting the classroom.
Students that wish to be eligible for the Performance
Scholarship or college admissions can still do so, but
must pay for the testing themselves.
HB80 removes the mandate for student college and
career readiness assessment, and in turn allows State
spending for education to be targeted toward the
classroom where the greatest return on investment can
be realized. It also takes an unfunded mandate away
from the local districts.
8:04:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON recalled that previous to [HB] 278 the
WorkKeys Assessment exam was a requirement for 11th grade
students with the score listed on the transcript. He
acknowledged that the curriculum was established to support
students not choosing to attend college, which represents
approximately 70 percent of Alaska's students. He inquired how
removing the WorkKeys Assessment exam helps in the classroom as
it removes the high score obtained by a student that assists
employers in the competitive work force.
8:05:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS responded that the curriculum is not
necessarily aligned with the WorkKeys Assessment exam as
different school districts have different curriculum. She
opined that the Department of Labor was primarily served by
administering the unfunded mandate test as a high school exit
exam and a certain score was not required in order to exit. She
argued that the test scores are not on the transcripts and
businesses are not using it at this time.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked how eliminating the comparative
assessment will gain an employer the ability to evaluate a
prospective employee.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS suggested that an employer speak with the
Department of Labor should it require the information, and
reiterated that reports do not indicate any usage.
8:08:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD reminded the committee that the ACT/SAT
assessments are common core aligned, which she opined is an
"expensive experiment." Ten percent of Alaskan youth graduate
with a four year college degree and, she opined, it is not
necessary for all students to take this test. She stated that
ACT/SAT should be privately funded and the parents or students
be responsible for taking these tests as in the past. She
pointed out this is an approximate $600,000 fiscal note, and
described the time for preparation and tests taken during school
hours as a burden to the schools.
8:09:51 AM
CHAIR KELLER asked whether the districts would have option to
make the ACT/SAT and WorkKeys Assessment exam available should
this bill pass.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS replied that with the state's budgetary
constraints she would be surprised school districts would offer
the tests and would instead revert back to how tests have been
offered in the past. It costs [the state] money and the test is
being given through the Department of Labor, and time would be
used wisely in classroom instruction, she noted.
8:10:44 AM
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER asked the date the WorkKeys Assessment
exam program was introduced into schools.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS deferred to Representative Seaton.
CHAIR KELLER opened public testimony.
8:11:15 AM
JAMES HARVEY, Director, Employment Security Division, Alaska
Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DLWD), [Available
to answer questions questions.]
8:11:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON referred to WorkKeys Assessment exams and
levels recorded, asked whether it is being utilized in the
workforce.
MR. HARVEY responded that the Department of Labor & Workforce
Development (DLWD) has a listing of employers recognizing the
WorkKeys Assessment Certificate or the National Career Readiness
Certificate that the [assessment exam] produces. He pointed out
that the certificate is used for entrance into employment and
into the several apprentice programs throughout the state as
this particular assessment identifies the "work ready skill set"
the applicants require to be successful in employment.
MR. HARVEY, in response to Representative Seaton, stated he will
forward the list of employers recognizing the WorkKeys
Assessment Certificate across Alaska momentarily.
8:13:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ quiered whether the Department of Labor &
Workforce (DLWD) offers a student the test.
MR. HARVEY answered in the affirmative, and pointed out that the
Department of Education and Early Development (EED) operates in
urban and rural environments throughout school districts.
Whereas, DLWD operates a job center presence within urban or
sub-urban areas and, therefore, the rural areas become difficult
to impossible for DLWD to accomplish, he explained.
8:14:22 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ asked [technical difficulties] that
individuals can take at the DLWD.
MR. HARVEY advised this is the only work readiness assessment in
terms of the broad base of employers and the uses it is meant
for through ACT. He commented that job centers offer
assessments for the Transportation Security Administration and
other governmental entities.
8:14:50 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ asked the cost of taking exams at DLWD.
MR. HARVEY answered that the Workkeys Assessment exams were
approximately $235,000 for FY2014.
MR. HARVEY, in response to Representative Vazquez, advised that
assessments were provided to 4,837 individuals, and 1,275
National Career Readiness Certificates were issued in FY2014.
8:16:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ requested the purpose of the
certificates.
MR. HARVEY responded that the certificates assist in creating a
qualified resident workforce and offers career and technical
education opportunities to students necessary for them to move
forward in the workforce in Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ restated her question and asked how
future employers used the National Career Readiness Certificates
in FY2014.
MR. HARVEY replied that the three key areas of the applicant's
assessment are: reading for information, applied mathematics,
and locating information. He pointed out that employers can use
the scores within its hiring pool for placement into employment.
8:18:05 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ inquired as to the distribution of
individuals, geographically, taking the WorkKeys Assessment
exam.
MR. HARVEY advised he will provide the data which is tied to
geographic job centers across the state.
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ asked the cost of taking the WorkKeys
Assessment exam at DLWD.
MR. HARVEY answered that the cost of the exam for the
participant is zero as DLWD is utilizing federal funds to
connect and provide individuals assistance in applying for work.
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ requested the amount of federal funds for
FY2014.
MR. HARVEY advised that in FY2014 DLWD utilized approximately
$235,560 for the application of this particular assessment.
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ asked whether it was all federal money.
MR. HARVEY answered in the affirmative, and stated it is for
this purpose and connecting individuals for specific training
opportunities to overcome training as a barrier to direct
employment.
8:20:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked the date the WorkKeys Assessment
exam was put in place by the Alaska State Board of Education &
Early Development.
8:21:34 AM
BARBARA HANEY, testified in support of HB 80, and knows the test
of adult basic education is distributed throughout the state
which is comparable to the WorkKeys Assessment exam. She opined
there is no need for college career ready assessment to be
offered by the Alaska school districts in that DLWD offers
testing to 16-year olds thereby allowing two years for
corrective action if continuing in the education setting as
opposed to a GED or work career track. She described this as an
expense for the [school] system and individuals can take the
WorkKeys Assessment exam through DLWD where an employer can
request a referral. She stated she did not envision the ACT/SAT
replacing the exit exam.
8:24:18 AM
LORIE KOPPENBERG, testified in support of HB 80, and urged
committee support as parents should provide for the ACT/SAT.
CHAIR KELLER closed public testimony.
8:25:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS inquired of Mr. Harvey whether the
$235,000 in federal funds is available to be repurposed to other
DLWD programs.
MR. HARVEY responded that the funding is the Department's
Federal Wagner-Peyser Act funding that is utilized for the base
operation of the majority of the job centers throughout the
state. The repurposing of these funds could be performed if the
DLWD chose to discontinue the WorkKeys Assessment itself.
8:27:09 AM
PEGGY COWAN, Superintendent, North Slope Borough School
District, testified she is personally in favor of HB 80, but
that the North Slope Borough School District has no official
position as it has not met regarding HB 80. Conceptually, she
pointed out, providing tests at schools is an excellent
opportunity for those not close to job centers where they can
take the tests. She suggested that taking college and career
ready tests plus the requirement of an additional test for
graduation is another burden and perhaps a barrier for students
to get a diploma.
8:28:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked when the district began
administering WorkKeys Assessment to all 11th graders.
MS. COWAN estimated seven years.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON questioned why the Alaska State Board of
Education & Early Development implemented the mandate that the
WorkKeys Assessment exam be given in the 11th grade.
MS. COWAN opined it was to provide a measure and an entrance so
students would have [the score] on their record with a ticket to
assist in obtaining jobs.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON referred to the program in place to
determine whether the 70 percent of youth not going to college
were adequately trained, and inquired how eliminating that
program would be helpful in training and offering rural
residents access to the workforce in Alaska.
MS. COWAN opined that this bill eliminates the requirement of a
student to take one of the tests in order to receive a diploma
in that the requirement was on the district and not on the
student to graduate. She opined the bill is a better approach
than requiring an individual accountability approach by the
student and pulling back on that issue would remove a burden on
the student. She indicated the school could continue to audit
the test and she would appreciate the state's support in
offering the WorkKeys Assessment exam.
8:30:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON surmised that the Alaska State Board of
Education & Early Development could continue to require that the
WorkKeys Assessment exam is given to every 11th grader and have
the money come out of the school district 's own budget instead
of one of the assessments being taken [for graduation].
MS. COWAN replied that if the Alaska State Board of Education &
Early Development is going to require it, she expects that
without adding on further band aids it will support it. Her
understanding, she expressed, is that HB 80 removes the
requirement for ACT/SAT and Workkeys Assessment for the diploma
and suggested the WorkKeys Assessment exam could be given as it
was many years prior to the 2014 House Bill 278, without the
diploma requirement.
8:32:39 AM
CONNIE NEWMAN, Superintendent, Pribilof Island School District,
testified in support of HB 80 as the information collected from
WorkKeys Assessment is not used to the best advantage for her
small and remote village. In that regard, she and her staff
decided to not implement the ACT and WorkKeys Assessment option
for the piece required for a student's assessment.
[Technical difficulties between 8:33:40 and 8:33:52.]
8:33:52 AM
JACK WALSH, Superintendent, Craig School District, testified his
school district supports of HB 80, and expressed concerns as a
former special education teacher [technical difficulties] of the
residents and students. [Technical difficulties] estimates that
approximately seven years ago people debated whether the
graduation exam accomplished its goals and how prepared students
were at graduation. He described the exams as important tools,
yet at times the right test was not used for its intended
purpose and great errors were made in judgement. For example,
he remarked, Alaska does not require an ACT/SAT to attend
college yet requires that every youth graduating from high
school take the exams. He expressed surprise with the five
pages of employers interested in Workkeys Assessment scores and
noted that his opposition to the tests [technical difficulties]
as the opposition to continuing the tests has more to do with
unintended consequences.
8:37:41 AM
DEENA PARAMO, Superintendent, Matanuska-Susitna School District,
testified in support of HB 80, and echoed Ms. Cowan in that it
is a need versus a want. She pointed out that she personally
has a high school student and did not have to pay for an SAT
exam this year which was a gift from the state, but the state is
in a difficult time of revenue. Unfortunately, she commented,
youth did not take the test seriously unless they saw the
outcome as necessary. However, in Matanuska-Susitna assistance
will be offered to students that require assistance in paying
the $82.00 ACT/SAT or Workkeys Assessment tests, she said.
8:39:51 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ praised the low income support and asked
how that will occur should this bill pass.
MS. PARAMO replied that prior to this year it was a choice if
the student was going to college. She offered that within her
school district counselors know the students and there are
avenues and waivers to cover fees privately with no equity for
students, which includes sports fees and lunches.
CHAIR KELLER closed public testimony after ascertaining no one
further wished to testify.
8:41:02 AM
CHAIR KELLER commented "this was not a set up" as the sponsor
was not aware the superintendents would be in town [technical
difficulties].
CHAIR KELLER re-opened public testimony.
8:41:48 AM
LES MORSE, Deputy Commissioner, Commissioner's Office,
Department of Education and Early Development (EED), clarified
that HB 80 removes funding and it depends upon the amount
dollars left in the budget at the end of session whether testing
in schools could continue. The Alaska State Board of Education
& Early Development seeks funding for initiatives from the
legislature and the WorkKeys Assessment program started as a
statewide requirement in FY2009. Last year 49 high schools were
considered national test sites to offer the SAT, however, a
statewide contract offering the SAT to students across the state
opened up the ability for more high schools to test. Therefore,
this year the state is testing at 93 high schools. Last year 40
high schools served as national test sites for ACT and the in-
school testing program increased that amount to 255 schools. He
pointed out that in-school testing would go away because it is
only available with a statewide contract. He commented that 89
high schools offer both, in that a district has a choice of
offering the SAT, ACT, or both, and students are able to choose
either test.
8:45:32 AM
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER pointed out that the fiscal note indicates
a cost of $52.50 per student, for a savings $525,000, yet
individually the cost is $82.00. He asked whether testing
companies could provide the bundled cost rate versus the higher
direct individual rate.
MR. MORSE opined that the cost of the SAT is $52.50 regardless
of a state contract. In the event that is not the case the EED
would advocate to the vendor for those costs.
8:47:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD recalled that her amendment to House
Bill 278 removed the ACT/SAT due to the common core alignment
and the costs. Further, she commented, that when the Alaska
Performance Scholarship are evaluated privately funded scores
are received, and asked whether the state would continue to
receive those scores.
MR. MORSE advised that EED has been receiving those scores for
APS verification and would continue to receive those scores to
determine the student's qualifications for the scholarship.
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD opined that that students should give
their permission for the scores. She quiered as to whether
there is any impact to the No Child Left Behind waiver in
repealing the ACT/SAT or WorkKeys Assessment.
MR. MORSE responded that this legislation would have no impact
on the Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESEA) at this
point. The number of students participating in the assessment
is used in the Alaska School Performance Index (ASPI). In the
event this was removed, EED would have to make a change as it is
used as a college career readiness indicator that the students
are thinking about college and careers. However, no dollars are
attached to it as it is part of the school rating system. The
Alaska State Board of Education & Early Development would have
look at the rating system and remove that particular indicator
for college career readiness.
8:50:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON questioned whether passage of HB 80
negates the Alaska State Board of Education & Early Development
requirement that 11th grade students take the WorkKeys
Assessment.
MR. MORSE answered that it would depend upon the agency budget
at the end of the legislative session. He added that this bill
does remove the associated funding and he does not know whether
money would be available to support the test.
8:51:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ asked for clarification as to whether the
Alaska State Board of Education & Early Development could
proceed with the requirement through passage of HB 80.
MR. MORSE replied in the negative as it is not the same
requirement in that the bill repeals the mandate that a student
must take the test in order to graduate. Prior to the
legislation last year, the Alaska State Board of Education &
Early Development required all 11th graders to take the WorkKeys
Assessment exam with funding attached, but it wasn't a
requirement for graduation. His understanding of Rep Seaton's
question was whether the board reinitiate that requirement,
which has been removed, and the answer is they could "it could
be a high stakes in terms of requiring students to participate
to graduate and the other question would be a funding question."
8:52:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ inquired what provisions are made for
students of low economic means should a student voluntarily
choose to take the exam.
MR. MORSE answered there is nothing on a statewide level.
Although, there are some provision EED helps administer through
vendors for certain students to receive a fee waiver. He does
not know the number of students as it is primarily performed
through the vendor offering fee waivers. It is important to
understand, he explained, that the bill removes the school
testing requirement from 205 schools and, thereby, students have
no access for assessments.
CHAIR KELLER closed public testimony after ascertaining no one
further wished to testify.
8:54:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER offered support for HB 80 and noted this
is the time to access these mandates as far as cost and
effectiveness. To get results, classroom time should be
supported, and removal of this assessment will provide that
opportunity, he opined.
8:55:41 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON reminded the committee this is not the
House Finance Committee and to approach this bill from the
educational aspect. He remarked that 70 percent of Alaskan
students do not attend college and enter the workforce but their
needs of an education was not being addressed. He pointed to
today's testimony wherein a speaker stated they are not offering
the WorkKeys Assessment and instead are going to the ACT/SAT
which are not career readiness exams. He is not opposed to
removing the focus from college bound students but he objects to
the bill removing the WorkKeys Assessment portion which the
Alaska State Board of Education & Early Development determined
would assist the 70 percent of workforce bound students and, he
opined, the prior system targeted educating everyone. Passage
of this bill causes the state to lose the initiative for
employable students at graduation and, he pointed out, the state
is stepping backwards in education without a WorkKeys Assessment
track. He said he is not against eliminating the idea of
ACT/SAT funding, but previously there was a better target on the
majority of Alaskan students, and he is not voting for this
bill.
8:59:46 AM
CHAIR KELLER pointed out that the Finance Committee specifically
requested that standing committees consider the fiscal
consequences of policy decisions. He opined that a vote for HB
80 does not equate to a vote against WorkKeys Assessment, and
will be voting in favor of the bill.
9:01:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS testified in support of HB 80,
acknowledging Representative Seaton's concerns. Downstream
effects do need to be considered, and further hopes that
considerations will be brought regarding regulations and the
70/30 rule, waivers, and mandating training the legislature
instituted over the years on streamlining school maintenance
requirements.
9:02:37 AM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD moved to report HB 80, labeled 29-
LS0184\H, out of committee with individual recommendations and
the accompanying fiscal notes.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON objected.
9:02:59 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Reinbold, Vasquez,
Colver, Kreiss-Tomkins and Keller voted in favor of passing HB
80 out of committee. Representatives Seaton and Drummond voted
against it. Therefore, HB 80 was reported out of the House
Education Standing Committee by a vote of 5-2.
9:03:40 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
9:04:07 AM
^PRESENTATION: RESEARCH ON EDUCATOR QUALITY AND QUANTITY: A
PROJECT OF CITIZENS FOR THE EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT OF ALASKA'S
CHILDREN
PRESENTATION: RESEARCH ON EDUCATOR QUALITY AND QUANTITY: A
PROJECT OF CITIZENS FOR THE EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT OF
ALASKA'S CHILDREN
CHAIR KELLER announced that the next order of business would be
the presentation of Research on Educator Quality and Quantity: A
Project of Citizens for the Educational Advancement of Alaska's
Children.
9:05:26 AM
JERRY COVEY, Private Education Consultant, JSC Consulting,
[Available to provide testimony.]
9:05:27 AM
BARBARA ADAMS, PhD Analyst, Adams Analytic Solutions, [Available
to provide testimony.]
9:05:35 AM
MR. COVEY advised that he and Barbara Adams were hired by
Citizens for the Educational Advancement of Alaska's Children to
prepare a report addressing the issue of educator quality and
quantity for the State of Alaska. Alaska has had a long-
standing challenge meeting the internal demands for the number
of educator annually hired, and that the quality of educators
graduating from Alaskan colleges are adequately trained to meet
the diverse needs within the state. [Technical difficulties]
something the University of Alaska and the Alaska State Board of
Education & Early Development has a role in teacher
certification is involved in. Since May, Alaska fiscal budget
changed and their recommendations with a fiscal not may not be
readily accepted today which does not negate the need that
important recommendations are considered moving forward. He
noted that their goal was to expand the Alaska growing workforce
to 60 percent by 2025; and retain and develop the education
workforce so that 90 percent achieve a high professional
standard for Alaska service, measured by the tools then in
place, by 2015.
9:09:36 AM
DR. ADAMS advised that approximately 40 percent of high school
graduates attend post-secondary institutions, and over half of
first-time UA freshman require non-credit bearing remedial
courses and their years in post-secondary education are
extended. She point out that within the approximate 1,000 new
teachers hired annually, roughly 36 percent come from Alaska.
9:10:19 AM
MR. COVEY noted the economic incentive for Alaska is that in-
state teachers remain in the state and teach on a 2:1 ratio and
referred to page 6, [Section 2: Issues facing Alaska's education
workforce] depicting the shortcomings of Alaska's education
workforce. He then directed attention to page [13], a Systemic
Approach which was lacking in the past but they are currently
working with organizations, the University of Alaska, and school
districts. Measurable Outcomes are the foundation Alaska has to
build upon, and Cultural Relevance is listed due to Alaska's 50
percent minority students with 95 percent of educators Caucasian
and, he explained, the 60 percent out-of-state workforce
complicates the issues as they have little or no understanding
of the state and its education system. The purpose is to
strengthen the K-12 certificated workforce by expanding Alaska
grown, he said.
9:14:28 AM
DR. ADAMS pointed out that the model on page 13 was designed to
build the population of Alaska grown teachers to consist of born
and raised Alaska students deciding to stay and work, or outside
students working on their teacher preparation in Alaska and
their Alaska experience is their internships, or Alaska grown
could be Alaska students deciding to become teachers outside and
then come back. Thereby, the workforce would consist of Alaskan
experiences and know what they are getting into, she related.
9:15:37 AM
MR. COVEY noted a 50 percent annual turnover of rural areas
versus urban areas at 10 percent annually, thereby, professional
development and retention of Alaska's workforce is critical to
improving the quality of the education delivered to students.
He directed attention to page [16] and the bullet points to
discuss preparation programs being addressed in a number of
ways, which include: Raising standards for entry into and exit
from educator preparation program in the state (CAEP); increase
and strengthen bridge programs to attract minority groups into
education careers; increase university capacity for educator
preparation to reach the goal of 60 percent Alaska grown;
increase and strengthen pre-service field experience which will
require an increase in transportation and lodging in rural
locales; establish laboratory schools in urban and rural hub
communities; and provide a systemic process for improving
teacher preparation using stakeholder and outcome feedback.
Interestingly, this fiscal crisis can be a tool to increase
communication and cooperation, he noted.
9:21:31 AM
DR. ADAMS pointed out that together with preparation development
comes recruitment in expanding the workforce to 60 percent
Alaska grown. She explained that programs targeted toward rural
districts and statewide recruitment that could expand interest
in the field include: FEA programs in every school district,
with an aim for 5 percent of the high school student population
for a total of 2,000 students; revisit salary and benefits
package; incentivize hard to fill jobs; alternative
certification programs; and loan forgiveness.
9:23:36 AM
MR. COVEY addressed professional development strategies that
indicate a means for significant gains, include: add 10 quality
professional development days; add 6 days to school year and 4
days to quality in-service allocation; statewide voluntary
curriculum: select two curricular programs for major content
areas - if districts voluntarily choose to use them, state will
purchase them and EED will provide on-going quality staff
development; and increase and expand the Alaska Statewide Mentor
Project; and develop UA curricula to address unique Alaska
needs.
9:27:47 AM
DR. ADAMS advised that retention would include: continuing
teacher retention grants to districts; establish laboratory
schools in urban and rural hub communities; revisit salary and
benefits package; incentivize hard to fill jobs; loan
forgiveness; and increase and expand the Alaska Statewide Mentor
Project. It should be noted, she said, that the mentoring
program with first and second year students carried over to
impact student achievement data in the classrooms. Based upon
that information, she opined that the [University of Alaska] is
close to ending an Investments and Innovations Grant and the
information regarding teacher retention and student achievement
should be available soon.
9:29:00 AM
CHAIR KELLER questioned whether 36 percent of University of
Alaska teacher certification students graduate.
DR. ADAMS explained that the 36 percent number referenced the
number of new hires from in-state.
CHAIR KELLER asked whether the University of Alaska plans to
promote its teacher certification program.
MR. COVEY opined that the University of Alaska is placing a high
priority on that issue.
CHAIR KELLER advised the committee that the Board of Regents
will be testifying as to its list of priorities.
9:30:20 AM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD noted Mr. Covey's previous educational
experience in Alaska. She established he is working on contract
for the Citizens for the Educational Advancement of Alaska's
Children (CEAAC), is familiar with the Moore v. State, Sup. Ct.
3AN-04-9756 (civil), to his knowledge CEAAC is not engaged in
litigation with the state currently including Ketchikan, and
CEAAC was involved with the Moore lawsuit.
MR. COVEY responded to Representative Reinbold that he does not
know whether CEAAC is aligned with a Ketchikan decision.
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD offered that CEAAC is involved and a
star witness in the Moore case was Linda Darling-Hammond, who is
also the senior advisor of Smarter Balanced Assessments
Consortium, an advisor to United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and Alliance for Excellence
in Education.
MR. COVEY stated he is familiar with Linda Darling-Hammond.
9:32:05 AM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD asked whether he supports her positions
as to no excellence without equity, and that equity is a pre-
condition for excellence.
MR. COVEY responded that he is not familiar with the theories
mentioned, but that his presentation and work is based solely
upon information collected within Alaska, and the report
specifies documents researched of which none have any
information from Linda Darling-Hammond.
MR. COVEY, in response to Representative Reinbold, said he is
not familiar with the Moore witness theories, or the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) flexibility waiver.
9:34:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD described the school districts as
"broke" and the costs of common core as a tremendous amount of
money. She asked where Mr. Covey expects the money to come when
there is a state shortfall in the budget.
MR. COVEY reiterated that the state was in a different fiscal
situation when the study began. He conceded it may not be
possible for the state to respond fiscally, however, it is
important the state has an understanding of helpful activities.
Many of the points are either low or no costs, depending upon
collaboration and there is room within the report to make some
progress, he opined.
9:36:24 AM
CHAIR KELLER referred to [page 22], "10. Increase alternative
certification opportunities," and asked whether that is a cost
savings.
DR. ADAMS replied that she does not know whether alternative
certification programs may be cost savings.
CHAIR KELLER pointed out that when more information is available
the committee would be interested as Dr. Adams mentioned that
crisis creates opportunity.
MR. COVEY added that through alternative certification some
alternatives exist that could be cultivated, "Type M". There is
benefit both fiscally and long-term support for students in
bringing local people into the workforce and retaining them.
9:39:03 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ directed attention to pages 29-30, which
indicates recommendations for the specific agencies involved,
and requested a streamlined version identifying low cost
prioritization and describing legislative committee actions
required.
^PRESENTATION: SUPERINTENDENT LAKE AND PENINSULA SCHOOL
DISTRICT ON INNOVATIVE TEACHER TRAINING/RECRUITING PROGRAM
PRESENTATION: SUPERINTENDENT LAKE AND PENINSULA SCHOOL DISTRICT
ON INNOVATIVE TEACHER TRAINING/RECRUITING PROGRAM
9:40:50 AM
CHAIR KELLER announced that the final order of business would be
a presentation of the Lake and Peninsula School District on
Innovative Teacher Training/Recruiting Program.
9:41:31 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
9:41:41 AM
TY MASE, Superintendent, Lake and Peninsula School District,
advised he and Mr. Bill Hill work closely together in their
endeavors to enhance their school districts and boards. He
remarked that six to seven years ago they identified certain
children for intervention and realized they required extra
assistance in the classrooms, hired a tutor for a low performing
school with "spectacular" results, and since that time has
increased to nine tutors for the low performing schools that is
funded through a federal AME grant. They also developed an
online tutoring component which, he described, as cheaper yet
much more labor intensive and it is all accomplished through
university collaboration as they work with numerous
universities.
9:46:24 AM
MR. MASEE introduced a video presentation.
9:50:26 AM
MR. MASE noted that the majority of tutors are offered
incentives, recruited in the fall, arrive for the spring
semester, and understand they may have to substitute teach for a
semester before finding employment. Incentives, he noted,
include travel, orientation, shopping assistance, no-cost
housing, approximately $20 per hour, and an experience of a
lifetime and estimates that over one-third of the teaching staff
is composed of former tutors.
9:51:11 AM
BILL HILL, Superintendent, Bristol Bay Borough School District,
said that academic achievement has increased significantly as
new staff becomes immersed in local culture. The tutors are
better prepared for life in rural Alaska versus arriving after a
remote hire and, therefore, many tutors want to stay which
decreases the cost of recruiting, he explained.
MR. MASE noted that 54 students in Lake and Peninsula School
District and 10 students in Bristol Bay Borough School District
are receiving individualized distance-delivered tutoring from
university students at the University of Anchorage Alaska,
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Centenary College in New
Jersey, and Western Oregon University. He explained that
students are identified for intervention or enhancement using
AIMSweb, are tutored in thirty minutes sessions one to three
times per week, university students are enrolled in a teacher
education program, Blackboard Collaborate is utilized for
delivery, and university professors train the tutors to analyze
and interpret the AIMSweb and create effective lessons.
9:53:36 AM
MR. HILL pointed out that through the program academic
achievement has increased, the program provides a "live learning
lab" for university partners, it adds Big Brother/Big Sister
qualities, online tutors are starting to student teach and
perform onsite tutoring via LPSA, it works well with advanced
students, and brings new energy into small schools.
9:54:55 AM
MR. MASE related that some university students use their junior
and senior years to tutor on-line and then become hired as
onsite tutors which is three year relationship prior to going
into the classroom.
9:55:13 AM
MR. MASE opined that the program is beneficial to bush Alaska
and its challenges. He remarked that onsite tutors cost
approximately $10,000 each when the incentives are factored in,
but a ratio of nine onsite tutors to one certified benefited
educator exists. He reiterated that the online cost is cheaper
but labor intensive.
9:56:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON referred to the online program and asked
whether that is compensated tutoring or volunteer.
MS. MASE responded that with some universities it is based on
credit as a piece of the student's methodology course such as
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania where students volunteer to
perform tutoring, but must go through an interview process to be
accepted into the program.
9:57:22 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON surmised that the online cost is the half-
time FD maintaining the technology, but the tutors are basically
volunteering to interact with the students.
MR. MASE answered in the affirmative.
9:57:52 AM
MR. MASE responded to Representative Vazquez that the Lake and
Peninsula School District has approximately 310 students
enrolled in 13 school sites and the Bristol Bay Borough School
District enrolled approximately 115 students.
9:58:18 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ requested the number of certified full
time teachers in each school district.
MR. MASE replied that Lake and Peninsula School District employs
approximately 55-65 certified staff except a portion are support
staff and itinerants. He explained that 8 out of the 13 school
sites are 2 teacher sites, an elementary and secondary
generalist, and several larger sites. He estimated the district
employs 50 certified staff in classrooms.
MR. HILL offered that the Bristol Bay Borough School District
employs 12 certified staff with 1 being a special education
instructor.
9:59:36 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 9:59 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB80_Full Text_Version H.PDF |
HEDC 3/9/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 80 |
| HB80_Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HEDC 3/9/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 80 |
| HB80_Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HEDC 3/9/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 80 |
| HB80 Fiscal Note EED-SSA 2-27-15.pdf |
HEDC 3/9/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 80 |
| HB 80 testimony.docx |
HEDC 3/9/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 80 |
| MindsetsBehaviors ASCA 2014.pdf |
HEDC 3/9/2015 8:00:00 AM |
|
| HB 80 Support school counselor.msg |
HEDC 3/9/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 80 |
| HB 80 support repeal.msg |
HEDC 3/9/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 80 |
| EQQ_Report_Feb27FINAL.pdf |
HEDC 3/9/2015 8:00:00 AM |