Legislature(2019 - 2020)CAPITOL 106
04/12/2019 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s):|| Professional Teaching Practices Commission | |
| Alaska Board of Education & Early Development | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 12, 2019
8:01 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Harriet Drummond, Co-Chair
Representative Andi Story, Co-Chair
Representative Grier Hopkins
Representative Chris Tuck
Representative Tiffany Zulkosky
Representative Josh Revak
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative DeLena Johnson
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Janine Todd - Delta Junction
Chris Reitan - Craig
Tamara Van Wyhe - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alaska Board of Education & Early Development
Tiffany Scott - Kotzebue
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
JANINE TODD, Appointee
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Delta Junction, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Professional
Teaching Practices Commission, Department of Education and Early
Development.
CHRIS REITAN, Appointee
Professional Teaching Practices Commission; Superintendent
Craig City School District
Craig, Alaska.
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Professional
Teaching Practices Commission, Department of Education and Early
Development.
TAMARA VAN WYHE, Appointee representing the Department of
Education and Early Development
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the appointee representing the
Department of Education and Early Development to the
Professional Teaching Practices Commission.
TIFFANY SCOTT, Appointee
Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development
Kotzebue, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska Board
of Education and Early Development.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:01:23 AM
CO-CHAIR HARRIET DRUMMOND called the House Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:01 a.m. Representatives Story,
Hopkins, Tuck, Revak, and Drummond were present at the call to
order. Representative Zulkosky arrived as the meeting was in
progress.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
^Professional Teaching Practices Commission
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
8:02:10 AM
CO-CHAIR HARRIET DRUMMOND announced the first order of business
would be consideration of the governor's appointees to the
Professional Teaching Practices Commission.
8:02:37 AM
JANINE TODD, Appointee, Professional Teaching Practices
Commission (PTPC), informed the committee she teaches third
grade at Delta Junction Elementary School and provided her
personal and educational background. She said she has been an
Alaska resident since 1989 and has a total of 33 years of
teaching experience. Ms. Todd noted, as a long-time member of
the teachers' union, she has been asked by her peers to
participate in various disciplinary meetings and she opined it
is critical that every teacher's actions meet the standards
based on the code of ethics. Ms. Todd assured the committee she
can review the facts of a case and make hard decisions when
necessary. She said she was appointed to PTPC in June [2018]
and has attended two meetings. Further, she received training
at the National Association of State Directors of Teachers of
Education and Certification (NASDTEC). She acknowledged she has
a lot to learn; however, her goal is to make the work and the
purpose of PTPC known to all educators as an advocate of their
profession.
8:05:46 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY referred to information included in Ms. Todd's
application packet and asked her to explain what she feels is
the most effective way to measure student success.
MS. TODD said the problem with testing is sometimes testing
becomes the complete measure of child; however, [a teacher]
works with students, and observes a child's thinking processes,
and thereby can better measure a child and their successes
because not all students test well. She expressed her belief a
child should not be labeled based on a test, but should be
observed as they work through problem-solving activities. In
further response to Co-Chair Story, Ms. Todd said since she has
been appointed, she has not attended any hearings but is aware
of investigations that come before the commission for review of
the executive director's decisions.
8:08:10 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND questioned whether PTPC meets on a regular
basis or only if there is a case to consider.
MS. TODD stated PTPC schedules two-day meetings three times per
year, which can be shortened or lengthened to accommodate the
agenda. In further response to Co-Chair Drummond, she said the
committee meets in person.
8:09:55 AM
CHRIS REITAN, Appointee, PTPC, and Superintendent of Craig City
School District, informed the committee he brings a unique
background to PTPC due to his over 21 years of experience as a
school administrator in Alaska, ranging from positions of
assistant principal to superintendent. During his experience,
his administrative responsibilities included investigations of
student and staff due process issues. Further, his experience
includes applying federal and state law to [school] board
policy, negotiated agreements, and student and personnel issues.
Mr. Reitan expressed his interest in collaborating with
professionals statewide to foster and support the public
educational system, and to ensure everyone in the educational
community achieves the highest standards of conduct. Mr. Reitan
also expressed support for the aforementioned goal that PTPC
improve advocacy and communication in order to strengthen the
role and purpose of the commission, which is to serve the entire
public education system.
8:12:14 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK surmised sanctions [of a teacher] can range
from those for serious or criminal misconduct to lesser matters,
and inquired as to whether some matters can be handled by school
district management.
MR. REITAN said all matters should be addressed at the local
level first; however, school districts have the responsibility
to make PTPC aware of serious potential infractions when
necessary. In further response to Representative Tuck, he said
in the example of the misuse of sick leave, it would be up to
the district or a complainant to refer the issue to PTPC. As an
administrator, he said he would refer a complaint to PTPC if
serious issues could potentially influence an employee's
certification; in addition, he would notify PTPC of an ongoing
investigation.
CO-CHAIR STORY asked what members of the teaching profession
should know about PTPC.
MR. REITAN opined educators should know what the commission's
roles and responsibilities are; in fact, it is PTPC's
responsibility to connect with and support professional
organizations in a proactive and strategic way throughout the
state.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK inquired as to whether Mr. Reitan ever
referred teachers [for sanction] to PTPC.
MR. REITAN said during his work history, PTPC never had to
proceed with its own investigation; however, there were
instances in which he shared information with PTPC.
8:18:24 AM
TAMARA VAN WYHE, Appointee representing the Department of
Education and Early Development (EED), PTPC, explained one seat
on the nine-member commission is to be held by a representative
of EED; she has been designated by Commissioner Johnson to
represent EED and she said she is pleased to serve because PTCP
activities align with teacher quality as related to her position
as director of the division of Educator and School Excellence at
EED. In addition, she expressed her passion for educator
quality and opined PTPC plays a very important role to ensure
educators who are serving Alaska's students are committed to
ethical behavior.
CO-CHAIR STORY referred to information provided in the committee
packet related to the number of sanctions that have been issued
by PTPC; she asked at what point PTPC reports sanctions to the
general public.
MS. VAN WYHE said from her previous experience as a school
superintendent and administrator, three or four times per year
PTPC publishes a list of the number of complaints and
information on sanctions, such as certificates that have be
revoked.
CO-CHAIR STORY questioned whether Ms. Van Wyhe agrees with
previous testimony that teachers are not aware of PTPC's
purpose.
MS. VAN WYHE indicated yes. As a school district teacher, she
was only vaguely familiar with PTPC; however, her awareness rose
as a district administrator. She stressed teachers need to have
a full understanding of the code of ethics and the consequences
of violations thereof.
8:24:21 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY read the following statement:
The House Special Committee on Education has reviewed
the qualifications of the governor's appointees to the
Professional Teaching Practices Commission and
recommends [the names of] Janine Todd, Chris Reitan,
and Tamara Van Wyhe be forwarded for consideration by
a joint session of the legislature. This does not
reflect intent by any of the members to vote for or
against these individuals during any further sessions
for the purposes of confirmation.
[Although a motion was not made, the appointments were
considered advanced.]
8:25:13 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
^Alaska Board of Education & Early Development
Alaska Board of Education & Early Development
8:26:48 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced the final order of business would be
consideration of the governor's appointee to the Alaska State
Board of Education and Early Development.
8:26:57 AM
TIFFANY SCOTT, Appointee, Alaska State Board of Education and
Early Development, began her testimony speaking in the Inupiaq
language and then informed the committee she is from Kotzebue
and Noorvik. Ms. Scott said she was appointed by former
Governor Bill Walker to fill a vacancy representing the Second
Judicial District on the Alaska State Board of Education and
Early Development (board). She has now been appointed to the
same seat by Governor Michael Dunleavy for a five-year term.
Ms. Scott states she is a registered nurse at the Maniilaq
Health Center in Kotzebue, which serves twelve federally
recognized tribes and the village of Tikigaq, also known as
Point Hope. She provided her educational background and a
history of her service in other volunteer positions. Ms. Scott
expressed her hope her perspective - along with that of other
board members - will inform the board's work to advance three
[public] commitments of EED's Strategic Plan, Meeting Alaska's
Education Challenge (AEC) Together: increase student success;
support responsible and reflective learners; cultivate safety
and well-being. Turning to her goals, she said she would
support the five positive trajectories of AEC: support all
students to read at grade level by the end of third grade;
increase career, technical, and culturally relevant education to
meet student and workforce needs; close the achievement gap by
ensuring equitable educational rigor and resources; prepare,
attract, and retain effective education professionals; improve
the safety and well-being of students through school
partnerships with families, communities, and tribes. Ms. Scott
closed, noting her district faces some of the most difficult
challenges in the state such as high rates of suicide, sexual
assault, and domestic violence; however, the residents are
resilient, and education will help them adapt to a changing
environment and overcome challenges.
8:30:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK recalled testimony from previous board
appointees who have stood in solidarity against acting on the
[governor's fiscal year 2020 (FY 20) budget proposal] and asked
for Ms. Scott's stance in this regard.
MS. SCOTT said she stands behind the board's commitment to AEC
and referred to a statement from board members who seek to
fulfill the commitments made through AEC [document not
provided].
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK acknowledged Ms. Scott's commitment to AEC
and restated his question related to the budgeting process.
MS. SCOTT responded:
I think that as a board through the events that
occurred this spring, at least for myself personally,
... I would be ... more assertive in ... being engaged
in the budget that's prepared. I think that the
governor's proposed budget, it would be hard pressed
for anybody in education to get behind the budget that
looks the way that it does, so I look forward to the
Senate reviewing the budget that the House has sent
over, and the conference committee deliberation.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK remarked:
... what I'm trying ... to get to is making sure that
you understand your role and responsibility and
authority for the preparation and execution of, of the
budget. We rely on you heavily to know what resources
the board of education's going to require to be able
to fulfil any vision whether it's the [AEC] vision or
others ....
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK described how the Anchorage School District
School Board and the superintendent of the Anchorage School
District work with the Anchorage mayor to propose a budget. He
said:
It seems like there's an avoidance of obligation on
[the part of] this board of education, especially
standing in solidarity of doing nothing, and I just
want to make sure ... I just want to know, from your
perspective, where you fit in the budgeting process.
MS. SCOTT related the governor released his [FY 20] budget on
[2/13/19] and on 2/14/19 the board failed to provide an "up or
down vote" on the budget that had been released. She
elaborated:
For me [it] indicated for review the appropriateness
of the statute and at what point the state board comes
in and offers insight into the budget development
process. So, that's, that's where I stand. ... Most
of the testimony that we heard asked the board
outright to, you know, listen to the concerns of the
citizens of the state and their testimony and to ...
not take up that vote that day.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK questioned whether the vote was symbolic.
MS. SCOTT acknowledged there are differing legal opinions in
this regard; however, her belief is work on the board is not
symbolic and she added, "so I would hope for a more intense and
engaging process with the board and the governor in the
development of a budget, but also realizing that we meet in
person only twice a year." She noted the need for more in-
person board meetings.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK suggested additional in-person board
meetings should be included in the budget.
8:35:03 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS acknowledged Ms. Scott's volunteer
service to the state. He asked how the board could implement
more culturally relevant curriculum over the next five years.
MS. SCOTT spoke of her children's successful experience in their
local immersion school and credited community participation in
part with their success.
[Due to recording difficulties, a portion of the audio was
lost.]
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked whether Ms. Scott was familiar with
the University of Alaska (UA) K-12 Outreach Program that has a
culturally relevant office at the University of Alaska Fairbanks
(UAF).
MS. SCOTT said no; she said she is more familiar with the Alaska
Humanities Forum and the work they do with educators.
[Due to recording difficulties, a portion of the audio was
lost.]
CO-CHAIR STORY observed there are many policymakers involved in
education, such as elected school boards, school administrators,
the university system, and educational staff. She asked for the
role of the board to solicit comments from said interested
groups in order to shape and elevate the quality of public
education.
MS. SCOTT recalled AEC utilized hundreds of Alaskans through
various stakeholder groups to meet and discuss positive
trajectories that enable the state to achieve educational
growth. She opined the role of the board is to report feedback,
data, and ideas from the strategic plan in order to develop
action plans.
CO-CHAIR STORY urged the board to invite said groups to board
meetings to hear policymakers' ideas. Furthermore, because the
legislature is mandated to maintain a system of public schools,
and she asked for the board's role in conjunction with the
legislature.
MS. SCOTT noted the board provides an annual report to the
legislature; she expressed her personal value of the
opportunities to meet with legislators in person to discuss
priorities and concerns through open-minded communication.
8:40:27 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY urged for the committee and the board to work
together to address challenges through better communication
between policymakers.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND pointed out members of the House Education
Standing Committee represent about 30 years of local school
board experience, and described how the Anchorage School Board
developed its budget.
MS. SCOTT, in response to Co-Chair Drummond, said she was
appointed by former Governor Walker in February 2018.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND surmised at that time former Governor Walker
had already submitted a budget thus Ms. Scott did not
participate in the development of [the FY 19] budget. She
expressed her hope that, as a board member, Ms. Scott would ask
the administration and commissioner [of EED] to work with the
board when developing a budget, and to allow for the
consideration of the complexities of delivering education in
Alaska.
MS. SCOTT, in further response to Co-Chair Drummond, clarified
she serves on the Mt. Edgecumbe High School Advisory Board,
appointed to the seat representing the [Alaska State Board of
Education and Early Education].
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND observed the board serves as the local school
board for Mt. Edgecumbe High School and asked if, in her
position as the appointed member to the Mt. Edgecumbe High
School Advisory Board, Ms. Scott believes the [state] board has
sufficient opportunity to govern the affairs of Mt. Edgecumbe
High School.
MS. SCOTT opined the opinions and work of the advisory board
have primacy and the [state] board works very well with Mt.
Edgecombe High School's advisory board and superintendent.
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY inquired as to Ms. Scott's support of
[Head Start federal services provided to low-income children and
families] and pre-K early learning opportunities throughout
Alaska.
MS. SCOTT related, from her family's long history as educators,
she learned of the importance of early literacy; also evident
from AEC data is that children with a basic knowledge of reading
experience increased academic success, higher levels of
education, and more secure employment. She said she understands
the importance of Head Start and early literacy to students over
time, especially in the Northwest Arctic Borough.
CO-CHAIR STORY read the following statement:
The House Special Committee on Education has reviewed
the qualifications of the governor's appointee to the
Alaska Board of Education and Early Development and
recommends [the name of] Tiffany Scott be forwarded
for consideration by a joint session of the
legislature. This does not reflect intent by any of
the members to vote for or against this individual
during any further sessions for the purposes of
confirmation.
[Although a motion was not made, the confirmation was considered
advanced.]
8:47:26 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 8:47 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HEDC 4.12.19 PTPC Confirmation Committee Packet.pdf |
HEDC 4/12/2019 8:00:00 AM |