02/28/2011 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB8 | |
| University of Alaska Chancellors' Presentation | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 8 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
February 28, 2011
8:03 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Kevin Meyer, Co-Chair
Senator Joe Thomas, Co-Chair
Senator Bettye Davis, Vice Chair
Senator Hollis French
Senator Gary Stevens
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 8
"An Act relating to questionnaires and surveys administered in
the public schools."
- MOVED SB 8 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 6
"An Act relating to providing a prekindergarten program within a
school district; and providing for an effective date."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA CHANCELLORS' PRESENTATION
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 8
SHORT TITLE: STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRES AND SURVEYS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) DAVIS
01/19/11 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/11
01/19/11 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/11 (S) EDC, HSS
02/16/11 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/16/11 (S) Scheduled But Not Heard
02/21/11 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/21/11 (S) Heard & Held
02/21/11 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
02/25/11 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/25/11 (S) Heard & Held
02/25/11 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
02/28/11 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
THOMAS OBERMEYER, Staff
Senator Bettye Davis
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions related to SB 8 on behalf
of the sponsor.
WARD HURLBURT, Director
Division of Public Health
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Stated concern on SB 8.
TOM CASE, Chancellor
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced himself to the committee.
JOHN PUGH, Chancellor
University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Commented on the University of Alaska system
and answered questions from the committee.
BRYAN ROGERS, Chancellor
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Commented on the University of Alaska system
and answered questions from the committee.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:03:41 AM
CO-CHAIR KEVIN MEYER called the Senate Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:03 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators French, Stevens, Davis, Co-Chair Thomas and
Co-Chair Meyer.
SB 8-STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRES AND SURVEYS
8:05:51 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER announced the consideration of SB 8.
SENATOR STEVENS said he has received concerns from parents who
want to make sure they receive the information about the survey
ahead of time so they can write a written denial of
participation for their child. He asked for an overview of the
opportunities parents will have to receive information on the
YRBS [Youth Risk Behavior Survey] and be able to take their
children out of the program if they do not want them
participating.
8:07:34 AM
THOMAS OBERMEYER, Staff to Senator Bettye Davis, sponsor of SB
8, replied that the notice requirements are located in section 2
of the bill. He explained that parents are first asked for
permission in the fall when their child is enrolling for
classes. At this time parents will sign a form that will or will
not allow their child to participate in questionnaires and
surveys.
SENATOR STEVENS asked how the parents get this information.
MR. OBERMEYER answered that there is a form available for
parents to sign located at the table where their child is
signing up for classes in the fall. He explained that the YRBS
is only offered biannually in the spring. For this reason,
another notice is given in writing to the parents before the
survey is administered. This letter notifies them about the
survey and instructs them to go online or contact the school for
details. SB 8 expands on the notification requirements to
parents. The main difference between the bill and the previous
method of administering the survey is that parents who have an
objection to the survey are asked to provide a written denial of
participation [page 2, lies 14-18]. He noted that the student
may also refuse to answer specific questions or participate in
the survey itself.
He stressed that neither the teacher nor the school will have an
opportunity to review the completed surveys. The surveys are
sent directly to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
SENATOR DAVIS said that page 2 of the bill lays out the
notification process for parents in detail. She reiterated that
on the day of the survey a student may refuse to take it. She
stressed that this method has worked in the past, more so than
the current method.
MR. OBERMEYER noted that Section 4 of the bill indicates that
the notice of the survey to parents must be given no later than
two weeks before the survey is administered.
SENATOR STEVENS said he understands the importance of this
survey. He asked if a letter or an e-mail is sent directly to
the parent about the survey.
SENATOR DAVIS replied that currently every school district is
different in how it notifies parents about this survey. She said
the bill will make all of the districts administer the
notification in the same way.
MR. OBERMEYER said there is nothing in the bill that indicates
whether the notice must be written or if an electronic method
will suffice. Currently, the notification method is more or less
up to the school districts.
CO-CHAIR MEYER said he feels comfortable with this bill because
the student can choose not to take the survey.
CO-CHAIR THOMAS said the objection to this bill has always been
that the parent has to be pro-active in order to stop their
child from taking the YRBS. He agreed that he does not have a
serious problem with this bill because students can opt out of
the survey.
8:18:36 AM
WARD HURLBURT, Director, Division of Public Health, Department
of Health and Social Services (DHSS), stated concern for SB 8.
He said he agrees that the proposed law would help obtain
important information. However, the survey does get to sensitive
and personal information about young people. He explained that
Governor Parnell has a deep commitment to strengthening Alaska's
families and the current policy does strengthen families and the
role of parents more than the opt-out provision contained in SB
8.
SENATOR FRENCH asked if he knows how the survey works.
MR. HULBURT replied that he does not know all of the details,
but he is familiar with the survey and has read the background
material.
SENATOR FRENCH asked if he listened to the hearing that the
committee held last Friday on the subject.
MR. HULBURT answered yes.
SENATOR FRENCH asked if he knew that the survey is filled out
anonymously and the information is compiled with complete
anonymity.
MR. HULBURT replied yes.
SENATOR FRENCH asked if he knows how important the information
obtained from this survey is in order for policy makers to have
an idea of what is happening to the youth of Alaska and the
nation.
MR. HULBURT replied yes. He agreed that the information from the
survey is important to DHSS in regards to both programs in
Alaska and obtaining federal grants.
SENATOR FRENCH said the current policy results in low compliance
rates. He asked how not knowing what is happening with Alaska's
youth strengthens families.
MR. HULBURT answered that concerns about particular questions
should be addressed to CDC. He explained that the questions are
intrusive and can be read in a way that makes a presumption of
certain kinds of activity that could upset parents. He said
while there are children that engage in negative activities,
there are many young people who do not. He said he respects
Governor Parnell's concerns and it is consistent with his
support of strong families and the engagement of parents.
8:23:42 AM
CO-CHAIR THOMAS asked if there are specific areas of the survey
that should be deleted or approached in a different manner.
DR. HULBURT replied he does not want to mislead the committee.
The questions have to be of sensitive origin in order to get the
information needed. He noted that this is not a part of the bill
or the sponsor's intent. However, the way the survey is
presented is meant to make students feel comfortable so they
will answer questions honestly. He explained that sometimes this
can come across with a presumption that they may be engaging in
behaviors that many students do not engage in.
SENATOR DAVIS said she appreciates the statement that he has
made. She said, as the head of Public Health, this particular
survey must be of importance to the department and allows it to
receive more federal funds. She asked whether changing the way
the survey is administered will be helpful in this light.
DR. HULBURT answered yes. This information is important to the
department and to society. He said he has not heard anything
from the governor's office which indicates that this information
is not important. The difference is that the governor believes
the "opt-in" provision ensures parents' engagement in the
survey. He stressed that this in no way lessens the importance
of the information or obtaining that information.
8:28:01 AM
SENATOR DAVIS said, in regards to the testimony heard last
Friday, it was stated that this survey is important and the
change that this bill offers would be a better way to get the
material needed. Not only are school districts putting their own
money into this survey, but the Department of Education and
Early Development (DEED) is also doing so. She said that
concerns on what the survey addresses and whether the questions
need to be changed should be addressed to CDC. She noted that
CDC does review the YRBS and change it from time to time. The
issue of "strengthening families" is located in this bill, which
allows parents to opt their child out of the survey. She said
she would not introduce a bill that would harm families. She
emphasized that most parents do not return the permission form
because they are too busy, not because they object to the survey
itself.
CO-CHAIR MEYER said he voiced his concerns on the survey on
Friday in regards to some of the questions. However, there are
important questions on the survey that allow law makers to
receive feedback on whether their bills addressing these topics
are effective. He said that there are several ways out of the
survey if people find it offensive and he is comfortable moving
the bill.
8:31:44 AM
CO-CHAIR THOMAS moved to report SB 8 from the committee with
individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note. There
being no objections, SB 8 moved from the Senate Education
Standing Committee.
8:32:04 AM
At ease from 8:32 a.m. to 8:34 a.m.
^University of Alaska Chancellors' Presentation
University of Alaska Chancellors' Presentation
8:34:23 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER announced the next order of business was to hear
a presentation by the chancellors of the University of Alaska
(UA) system.
8:35:26 AM
TOM CASE, Chancellor, University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), said
through all of his military and university experience he has
come to believe how important education is as a pathway for
individuals and the future of the state. He said he is delighted
to be the incoming chancellor at UAA and to be working with his
new colleagues.
8:36:47 AM
JOHN PUGH, Chancellor, University of Alaska Southeast (UAS),
thanked the committee for their past support. He said there are
some concerns about the state of their university system,
especially about graduation rates. He noted that some of the
programs that the university system has have made a difference
in these rates. There has been a steady increase of Alaskan high
school students entering the UA system and postsecondary
education in the state. He noted that the UA system also has an
improving freshman retention rate and good graduation rates
within specific programs. He explained that in the programs
where the university has increased its resources, the number of
graduates has increased. UA has also expanded its workforce
training area.
Finally, UA has improved its distance education program. Last
year 40 percent of the students at UAS took at least one
electronic learning course and the university continues to make
improvements in this area.
He recognized the problem of six year graduation rates in Alaska
and the UA system is working on this.
8:40:40 AM
BRYAN ROGERS, Chancellor, University of Alaska Fairbanks,
thanked the committee for its support, in particular for two
significant investments. First for the largest capital
investment in higher education in the state's history, which
will improve the facilities for instruction, research, and
student life. And, second for approving the merit and needs-
based scholarship aid, which will make a significant difference
in the UA system's timely graduation rate. He said the
chancellors sit before the committee representing three
institutions but one system, which collaborate, cooperate, and
sometimes compete.
8:43:13 AM
SENATOR STEVENS thanked them for their years of service to the
university system. He said there are three main issues with
higher education that the legislature sees: remedial education,
advising and counseling, and scholarships. He said that with
remedial education many of the issues are within K-12 and
students are graduating who are not prepared to compete on a
college level. Because the university system is an open
university, it falls on the university to prepare these
students. He asked how students can be better prepared for
college.
MR. PUGH replied that there are a number of things that can be
done. First, is to work with the K-12 system. The university
system does this through a summer program that helps in
remediation and motivates students. UA also provide placement
testing to students their sophomore year in high school in order
for students and parents to recognize the steps they still need
to take in order to be prepared for college. He noted that the
required high school exit exam does not tell students they are
ready for college, rather that they have met some minimum
standards. The scholarship program that the legislature has been
working on will make a difference because of the higher
expectations it insinuates.
In terms of remediation UAS is going to reintroduce a "bridge
program" for students who have to remediate before they can
apply to a program at the university. He said that UAS had this
program in years past and it should not have been abandoned. All
of the institutions have similar programs.
Another aspect is mandatory advising for all freshman students.
UAS plans to include this requirement by next fall, which will
include not only freshman but any students who are below a 2.0
[Grade Point Average].
MR. ROGERS added that UAF is offering summer enrichment programs
that are designed for high school and junior-high school
students. The Rural Alaska Honors Institute takes sophomores,
juniors, and seniors and gives them the college experience in
order to spark their interest and realize what it will take to
go to college. He said that the High School Graduation
Qualifying Exam has set a standard for high school graduation.
However, there is no level that has been set for college
preparedness. The scholarship bill creates a financial incentive
for students to work harder. He explained that students respond
well to being pushed a little and less remediation is needed.
He noted that for admission into a baccalaureate program at UAF,
students are required to be prepared. If they are not, the
student is admitted to school and may take courses, but they
will not be admitted into a program until they have shown they
are successful. He explained that part of the reason the
university system has a poor six-year graduation rate is that
too many students have to spend the first year or more getting
prepared.
8:51:18 AM
CO-CHAIR THOMAS said in looking at the scholarship program the
committee found that this is an entire system, beginning in
kindergarten or prekindergarten. He said that teacher
preparedness or teacher education programs would be important in
order to make sure that issues are recognized and remediated
early on. He asked, with that in mind, what impact this will
have on teacher preparedness and education.
MR. PUGH answered that one of the critical issues is learning to
read. UAS has a specialized reading program which brings the
latest technologies and theories on reading to new and returning
teachers and students through a summer academy. The school
district sends elementary and middle school students who are
behind in reading to this academy during the summer to work with
school district faculty. He noted that, across the university
system, it has tried to do the same with math education; though
the program is not quite as strong as the reading and literacy
program at this point.
CO-CHAIR THOMAS said there are a lot of comments from rural
legislators regarding the curriculum requirements for high
school students to qualify for the new scholarship award. He
asked if the university system has given feedback to the
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) with regard
to this concern and what is being found on the university level.
MR. ROGERS answered that there is a good awareness of this
challenge on the department level. He said that the university
system can make a difference by looking at ways to extend
science and math education via distance courses to rural schools
in order to fill that gap.
MR. PUGH agreed. He said there are two critical pillars:
advising and counseling and a balance between needs-based and
merit-based scholarships. He said that UA is on the right track
in having that balance through this scholarship, which is
buttressed by a high focus on counseling and advising.
8:58:30 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER said there has been talk of expanding the
university system to include a law school or medical school. He
explained that one concern he has with this is that there are
some schools or colleges in place already that are not fully
expanded, for example the engineering program. He asked if
petroleum and mechanical engineering is offered at UAF.
MR. ROGERS replied yes. UAF offers petroleum, mining,
geological, electrical, computer and civil engineering. UAA
offers civil engineering and a bachelor of science in
engineering with particular concentrations. He explained that in
both cases they have embarked on a six-year plan to double the
number of engineering graduates. He said UAF should reach that
goal by 2014, but are currently facility constrained. However,
thanks to the efforts of the legislature last year, UAF dodes
have the funds for planning the next increment of engineering
facilities.
CO-CHAIR MEYER said he is aware of the facility constraints. He
said it concerns him that the state is still bringing too many
petroleum engineers from outside the state.
CO-CHAIR MEYER noted that the committee will take up SB 6 at the
following meeting.
9:02:29 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Co-Chair Meyer adjourned the meeting at 9:02 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 6 Sponsor Statement Rev 2-5-2011.pdf |
SEDC 2/28/2011 8:00:00 AM |
SB 6 |
| SB 6 Sectional Summary 27-LS0058M.pdf |
SEDC 2/28/2011 8:00:00 AM |
SB 6 |
| SB 6 NCSL Report - Early Ed 2008.pdf |
SEDC 2/28/2011 8:00:00 AM |
SB 6 |
| SB 6 Docs- Pilot Project -AP3 Year One Report.pdf |
SEDC 2/28/2011 8:00:00 AM |
SB 6 |
| SB 6 -Docs- Memo-LegLegl - Expl Sec 67.pdf |
SEDC 2/28/2011 8:00:00 AM |
SB 6 |
| SB 6 Docs - AK Pre-K project high marks-ADN 2-5-11.pdf |
SEDC 2/28/2011 8:00:00 AM |
SB 6 |
| United Way Letter - SB 8.pdf |
SEDC 2/28/2011 8:00:00 AM |
SB 8 |
| Judd Letter of Support SB 8.docx |
SEDC 2/28/2011 8:00:00 AM |
SB 8 |