02/03/2014 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB139|| HB278 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 139 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
JOINT MEETING
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
February 3, 2014
8:01 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Senator Gary Stevens, Chair
Senator Mike Dunleavy, Vice Chair
Senator Bert Stedman
Senator Charlie Huggins
Senator Berta Gardner
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Representative Lynn Gattis, Chair
Representative Lora Reinbold, Vice Chair
Representative Gabrielle LeDoux
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative Peggy Wilson
Representative Harriet Drummond
MEMBERS ABSENT
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
All members present
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 139
"An Act increasing the base student allocation used in the
formula for state funding of public education; repealing the
secondary student competency examination and related
requirements; relating to high school course credit earned
through assessment; relating to a college and career readiness
assessment for secondary students; relating to charter school
application appeals and program budgets; relating to residential
school applications; increasing the stipend for boarding school
students; extending unemployment contributions for the Alaska
technical and vocational education program; relating to earning
high school credit for completion of vocational education
courses offered by institutions receiving technical and
vocational education program funding; relating to education tax
credits; making conforming amendments; and providing for an
effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 278
"An Act increasing the base student allocation used in the
formula for state funding of public education; repealing the
secondary student competency examination and related
requirements; relating to high school course credit earned
through assessment; relating to a college and career readiness
assessment for secondary students; relating to charter school
application appeals and program budgets; relating to residential
school applications; increasing the stipend for boarding school
students; extending unemployment contributions for the Alaska
technical and vocational education program; relating to earning
high school credit for completion of vocational education
courses offered by institutions receiving technical and
vocational education program funding; relating to education tax
credits; making conforming amendments; and providing for an
effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 139
SHORT TITLE: EDUCATION: FUNDING/TAX CREDITS/PROGRAMS
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
01/24/14 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/24/14 (S) EDC, FIN
02/03/14 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
BILL: HB 278
SHORT TITLE: EDUCATION: FUNDING/TAX CREDITS/PROGRAMS
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
01/24/14 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/24/14 (H) EDC, FIN
02/03/14 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
WITNESS REGISTER
MIKE HANLEY, Commissioner
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information related to SB 139.
DIANNE BLUMER, Commissioner
Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DOTPF)
Juneau, Alaska,
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information related to SB 139.
ANGELA RODELL, Commissioner
Department of Revenue
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information related to SB 139.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:01:24 AM
CHAIR GARY STEVENS called the joint meeting of the Senate and
House Education Standing Committees to order at 8:00 a.m.
Present at the call to order were Senators Gardner, Stedman,
Huggins, Dunleavy, and Chair Stevens, and Representatives
Saddler, Reinbold, Seaton, Drummond, and Chair Gattis.
Representatives Wilson and LeDoux arrived shortly thereafter.
SB 139-EDUCATION: FUNDING/TAX CREDITS/PROGRAMS
HB 278-EDUCATION: FUNDING/TAX CREDITS/PROGRAMS
8:01:58 AM
CHAIR STEVENS announced that the only order of business would be
SB 139 [and HB 278]. He said it was his intent to hear the bill
and hold it in committee.
Chair Gattis announced the arrival of Representatives LeDoux and
Wilson.
8:03:30 AM
MIKE HANLEY, Commissioner of the Department of Education and
Early Development (DEED), Juneau, Alaska, provided information
related to SB 139. He thanked the committee for holding a joint
meeting in order to hear Alaska's Education Opportunity Act. He
introduced himself.
DIANNE BLUMER, Commissioner, Department of Labor & Workforce
Development (DOTPF), Juneau, Alaska, provided information
related to SB 139. She introduced herself.
ANGELA RODELL, Commissioner, Department of Revenue, Juneau,
Alaska, provided information related to SB 139. She introduced
herself.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY explained that the bill represents
collaboration between the Departments of Education, Labor, and
Administration with a single goal in mind, to strengthen
education in Alaska by expanding opportunity and removing
barriers that are keeping schools and students from achieving at
the highest level possible. The legislation proposes specific
strategies to improve education: expand opportunity by adding
options for students to test out for credits, allowing students
to prove mastery in a course, rather than proving seat time, and
strengthening residential and charter school program models. The
legislation will remove barriers by eliminating obsolete tests
and costs for assessments that a student needs for college and
the workforce and for qualifying for the Alaska Performance
Scholarship. It will incentivize partnerships beyond the walls
of the classroom. The legislation will provide greater access to
opportunities in public schools, neighborhood schools, and
alternative schools.
He said the benefit of partnerships includes those between
departments; three commissioners will testify today.
COMMISSIONER BLUMER related that DOTPF has long recognized that
college is not the only path to success, especially in Alaska.
Of more than 350,000 workers in Alaska's labor force, only one
in five holds a job that requires a four-year degree or higher.
Most of those jobs require post-secondary training, a
requirement that will increase along with increases in oil and
gas projects. Alaska's commitment to career and technical
education is critical to the state's ability to build a local
workforce. Alaska is unique in that the legislature authorizes a
dependable source of funding for career and technical education.
COMMISSIONER BLUMER said in 2000 the department created a
Technical Educational Vocational Program (TVEP) to provide
grants to statewide job training institutions. In SB 139 there
is a focus on more education opportunities in order to meet the
needs of all Alaskans. It reauthorizes TVEP through 2024 and
expands dual credit options for high school graduation and
certification.
8:06:54 AM
CHAIR STEVENS inquired if Commissioner Blumer anticipates a
change in the statistic that only one in five workers requires a
college degree.
COMISSIONER BLUMER opined that the number will change due to the
number of oil and gas projects on the horizon.
COMMISSIONER RODELL stressed the importance of an educated
workforce in Alaska. She explained that SB 139 has two tax
credits that expand existing tax credits. She said it is
important to engage business partners in this education effort.
8:08:29 AM
COMMISSIONER HANLEY referred to a briefing paper on sections of
SB 139 in members' packets. He began with the subject of testing
out for credit in Section 1. He said the bill provides options
to traditional methods of teaching when students have already
met the outcomes of a subject. It requires school districts to
offer high school students the opportunity to test out of a
class by proving mastery of the subject. Current language
already provides for this. It states that a student is awarded
credit for achieving a passing grade by meeting the performance
standards for a course of study as proscribed by the local
school board. SB 139 recognizes that this opportunity should be
provided to students.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY continued to explain that SB 139 also
recognizes the challenges for districts to provide assessments
for subjects such as debate or drama. That is why the bill
identifies only core areas of math, language arts, science,
social studies, and world languages for which assessments must
be developed. Options for testing out of other areas are left up
individual districts. He noted that world languages includes
Alaska Native languages.
8:11:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked if a student could test out of all
high school courses and graduate early.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said that was theoretically possible.
He continued that Section 1 of the bill has an effective date of
July 1, 2015, which allows time to develop regulations regarding
assessments and allow districts to put the assessments in place.
8:12:32 AM
CHAIR GATTIS summarized the intent of the bill is to allow
school districts to provide assessments for core subjects and
for any other subject they choose to allow.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said that was correct.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON noted that current regulations require a
passing grade. He wondered if SB 139 requires the district to
assign a grade.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY clarified that current law allows the
district to determine a passing grade and SB 139 does not change
that.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if a grade must be assigned. He
pointed out that the student's GPA would be affected.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said that is not the intent of the bill that
the district be required to issue a grade; the intent of the
bill is to prove mastery. It is permissible for a student to
test out and not be graded, or the district could assign a
grade.
8:15:40 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if last year's final test in a
subject could be used.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said yes. It is up to the district to choose
the exam to be used. He gave math as an example.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX confirmed that it is up to the local
school district to decide how to reflect mastery.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX voiced a concern about a school district
that would give a partial grade for class participation which
the student would not be able to achieve.
8:18:29 AM
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said the bill addresses that issue. It is
designed to give credit for mastery, not penalize a student for
no class participation.
He discussed the repeal of the high school exit exam, HSGQE,
maintaining that it is unnecessary now that more rigorous
standards and assessments are in place. The bill provides an
assessment choice that is most relevant for a student's next
step beyond high school. Currently, juniors are required to take
WorkKeys, a career aptitude test. The bill would allow students
to choose between WorkKeys or the SAT or ACT. All three tests
are qualifiers for the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS). The
state will pick up the cost of one administration of these
assessments, eliminating the barrier of cost for the APS.
8:20:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND asked if only one in five graduates
holds a job that require a college degree, the SAT and ACT would
not be taken by most students. She inquired if the department
has plans to identify or develop other tests.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY opined that WorkKeys provides testing for
career training and SAT and ACT are the recognized college-bound
assessments. At this time there is no plan to add more test
choices.
8:22:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER clarified that the HSGQE was a test that
a student had to pass to receive a diploma, while the tests in
SB 139 are not.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said that was correct. The bill moves from
having to pass a high stakes exam to an informational tool that
gives positive information.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked what value HSGQE provided as an
accountability tool.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY explained that it was designed as a
gatekeeper to ensure that students had minimal skills. Since
then, the department has raised the bar with new standards and
other assessments in place.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked since new standards were
implemented under HSGQE, whether the scores have improved.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY remarked that new standards were put in
place in June 2012 and students have not been assessed yet, so
the full impact of that shift has not been seen.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER pointed out that the exit exam is no
longer necessary.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY agreed. He said students with disabilities
were not passing the test and it does not provide relevant data.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER requested seeing the numbers on actual
success rates under HSGQE.
8:25:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX commented that when the exit exam was
first mandated, not enough students were passing so the
standards were made easier.
COMMISSIONER SADDLER corrected that the standards did not
change; the assessment changed. He shared the process for
adjusting the test. The deficiency of the test became apparent
so it was redesigned.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked for clarification regarding that the
standards did not change.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY reiterated his explanation.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX concluded that the problem was not the
standards.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY agreed that it was the assessment.
8:29:54 AM
COMMISSIONER HANLEY added it was a challenge at the time.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said that WorkKeys was instituted at 11th
grade and the state pays for it. The level of qualification in
WorkKeys goes on the student's transcript. He noted a student
can retake the test their senior year to improve their skills
and score. He said he did not agree with eliminating the
WorkKeys test requirement by allowing students to select only
one test. He maintained it would take away an assessment tool
employers can use.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY looked at it in another way. Some students
don't take WorkKeys seriously because they know they are going
to college and they don't need that test. This bill allows
students to choose the most relevant test.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON maintained it was removing an important
tool. Most kids do not go to college. High school transcripts
will only have one test score. It eliminates the one tool needed
for employees to assess job skills.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY anticipated that a student moving into a
career would take WorkKeys, whereas, college-bound students
would not.
8:35:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON commented that she is pleased with the
test choices in the bill, especially for students who have
trouble taking tests. She testified in support of eliminating
the exit exam, which she opined was not a true measure of a
student's ability. She said she sees WorkKeys as an assessment
tool for success. She suggested that students will choose the
most appropriate test.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY agreed.
CHAIR STEVENS asked when the exit exam became law.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said around 2002.
CHAIR STEVENS asked how home school students would take the ACT
and SAT.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said the department is working with testing
companies to allow home-schooled students to take those tests at
testing centers.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND commented that she was on the Anchorage
School Board when the HSGQE was put into place and there was a
lot of resistance from school districts. She requested a review
of the costs for the three tests. She inquired who is paying for
WorkKeys currently. She suggested if all kids are taking
WorkKeys now, that should continue. She agreed with
Representative Seaton's comments about continuing with WorkKeys
for all students for career readiness purposes. She wondered
about other suitable exams.
CHAIR STEVENS suggested proceeding with the presentation.
8:41:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX questioned the waiver.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY explained that currently a waiver is in
place to accommodate students with disabilities. A similar
waiver is under consideration for SB 139.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX questioned why students would need a
waiver now if they do not have to pass the test.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said students with severe disabilities need
a waiver. In order to protect their integrity, they should not
have to sit through such assessments.
8:43:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if the exit exam will be required
through 2017.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY explained that students who cannot pass the
exit exam earn a Certificate of Achievement. They can return to
take the test within the next three years.
CHAIR STEVENS asked if students would take the exit exam this
year.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said yes.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY explained how SB 139 relates to charter
schools. There are 27 charter school laws, and charter schools
in 8 districts and in 13 different communities. Charter schools
are public schools within school districts, with additional
autonomy and alternative strategies for teaching students.
Currently, an organized parent group or academic policy
committee proposes to a local school board to open a charter
school. There is a clear guide as to what that process requires,
however, if an application is denied at the local level, there
is no recourse for reconsideration of a charter school
application.
He explained that SB 139 provides that the first response at the
local level, whether approved or denied, be in writing and be
based on fact and law. That brings transparency and
accountability to the local process.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked if, under current law, there is a
timeframe whereby the school district has to accept or deny a
charter school application. She maintained that the bill leaves
it open indefinitely.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said theoretically that could happen. He
said he would look into it.
8:47:34 AM
COMMISSIONER HANLEY continued to discuss integrity in the local
process. The bill allows for an appeal to the commissioner of
education if the charter school application is denied. The
commissioner can remand the application back to the school
district for reconsideration, confirm the denial, or suggest
approval. The final approval remains with the State Board of
Education.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked which law a charter school is
required to adhere to during the application process.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY clarified that current law requires school
districts to have an open enrollment policy and to treat all
students equally. For example, a charter school cannot refuse
students with special needs. Multitudes of laws protect children
and their education.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked if a charter school has exam
requirements for enrollment.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY replied that charter schools have a variety
of enrollment methods: exam requirements or open enrollment or a
lottery process.
8:50:43 AM
SENATOR GARDNER inquired whether, under current practice, a
charter school can decline to accept a student when they cannot
meet the student's needs.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said no; as a public school, a charter
school is required to meet the needs of students. That example
would be a form of discrimination.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND noted that the Bronx High School of
Science requires the passing of a test to be enrolled. It is a
part of New York City's public school system.
CHAIR STEVENS pointed out the strong value of local control in
Alaska. He questioned how the department could force a district
to have a charter school if they decided not to accept an
application for one.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY agreed that the commissioner did not usually
interfere in such matters. He said if a local school board made
a fair decision based on fact and substance of law, the
commissioner would uphold the decision. The bill is trying to
avoid a situation where a charter school has been counseled away
from applying. A commissioner would have to be very thoughtful
and work directly with the district to make a decision of
approval if an application had been denied.
8:53:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND asked if the local elected school board
denies a charter application, and the appeal to the commissioner
results in approval, whether the school board, the department,
or the state board must provide the charter school's annual
program budget. She referred to page 6, line 6, in the bill
where it gives the commissioner power to approve an application;
"if a commissioner approves a charter school application."
COMMISSIONER HANLEY stated that the final approval lies with the
State Board of Education.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND requested clarification. She gave an
example of the Anchorage School Board denying a charter school
application and the department then approving the application
and asked where the governing and financial responsibility of
the charter school would fall - on the local school district or
on the state. She pointed out that the school district could
have denied the application due to lack of faith in the charter
school's fiscal plan. She questioned why the state would make
the school district supervise and provide a budget for a charter
school under those circumstances.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY, speaking for himself, said if a school
district stated that they could not afford a new charter school,
it would be hard to approve the application and for the state
board to agree to it. If it was approved by the state board, the
local school district would have to fund the charter school.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND opined that it did not have anything to
do with affordability because every student comes with a BSA;
every charter school student is a public school student. She
pointed out that the state supervises Mt. Edgecombe High School
and suggested the state could continue to do so. She emphasized
that she would be very reluctant, as a member of a school board
that denied a charter school application, to be forced to
supervise and take responsibility for that charter school. She
suggested that the conversation continue because of the
unfairness to school boards.
8:58:34 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON wondered how often this situation might be
a problem. He asked how many charter school applications have
been denied.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said currently all charter school
application denials and approvals must be submitted to the state
board. He said he is not aware of any denials.
SENATOR HUGGINS noted that many of the committee members are
former school board members. He pointed out that currently there
are artificial caps on charter schools in some locations. He
gave an example of how teachers are assigned to charter schools.
He suggested updating charter school laws.
9:01:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER requested clarification that a local
school district has never had to accept a charter school
application over their objection.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said that is correct; there have been no
denials of charter schools at the local level.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked if charter schools require parental
involvement.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said yes. Charter schools have some autonomy
and can choose their own principals and curriculum.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked what happens with students who do
not have parents that can participate. She suggested that was
also discrimination.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said to this point it has not been
interpreted that way. He suggested looking at that issue outside
of the bill.
9:03:32 AM
COMMISSIONER HANLEY provided information about the funding of
charter schools. He remarked that SB 139 is not a proposal for
additional funding; it is clarity in the funding that should be
provided from a district. Charter school students generate funds
in the same manner as students in neighborhood schools. Current
language for funding found on page 7, line 3 says: "A local
school board shall provide an approved charter school with an
annual program budget. The budget shall be not less than the
amount generated by the students enrolled in the charter school
less administrative costs retained by the local school district,
determined by applying the indirect cost rate approved by the
Department of Education and Early Development." He remarked that
"the amount generated by students" has been open to
interpretation. Some school districts say it is simply the BSA
and local contribution; some say there are other components to
the funding formula. SB 139 states that the other components
need to be considered, such as special needs, vocational
technical, and pupil transportation, as well as funding for
capital improvements or facilities. The bill provides clarity of
language.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND referred to lines 10 to 16 on page 7 of
the bill. She said she did not understand how a charter school
generates funding for construction of a school if it is not done
through the local bonding process. She opined that construction
or maintenance of a charter school is a great addition; however,
she questioned where the funding comes from if a charter school
rents or leases a facility. She pointed out that there are
several charter schools in Anchorage that use existing district
facilities and pay rent to the district for a school that has
already been paid for through the public funding process. She
noted she was the lone no vote on the Anchorage School Board
against doing it that way because kids at Romig Middle School
don't pay rent from their BSA for the building that the public
is paying for. She suggested that the bill should consider all
the different ways students are housed. Charter schools should
not spend BSA on the facility, which no other school is required
to do.
9:06:40 AM
SENATOR GARDNER asked if charter schools receive the entire BSA
per student.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said charter school students generate funds
in the same manner as students in other public schools, so the
charter school should receive the entire BSA per student. The
language in SB 139 provides equity between charter schools and
other schools beyond the BSA to other components of the
foundation funding formula.
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON asked if language in the bill allows a
charter school to receive more funding than it currently
receives.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY replied that if the funding is equitably
now, there would be no difference.
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON pointed out that some charter schools
pay a lease fee or rent, so if the bill passes, those charter
schools will get more money from the districts.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said theoretically. Once all the components
have been figured into the funding, if any have been withheld,
the schools will now receive them.
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON concluded that there would not be as
much money for students in the regular schools. She requested a
"yes or no" answer.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said it depends. If a district is already
providing the funds to charter schools there would be no
difference; if the district is not fully funding the charter
schools, they will be receiving additional funds from the
district. He said the idea behind the bill is equity and
stabilization of funding for the charter schools. He said there
is no language that would make charter schools super schools. He
stressed that the key language is that funds will be generated
"in the same manner" as for students in traditional schools.
9:10:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON said she understood; some of the
charter schools now have to fund some things regular schools do
not have to fund. She said she did not have a problem with
charter schools receiving more money as a measure of fairness.
However, the consequence is that students in regular schools
will receive less money for instruction. She inquired how many
charter schools are being unfairly funded now and how much that
will cost the regular schools.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY offered to look into that. He agreed that
money may move from the traditional schools to the charter
schools, but that means that the charter schools have been
treated unequally.
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON reiterated her question as to how many
regular schools will be affected. She thought an analysis could
be done.
SENATOR HUGGINS pointed out that facilities are the biggest cost
for charter schools. He highlighted the inequity between schools
in the form of charge-backs for services. He stressed the
importance of looking for techniques to modernize charter
schools. He added that testing to get into schools also exists
in Alaska.
9:15:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked for an explanation of the
transportation component, which is a district responsibility. He
asked if the transportation budget would be divided by the
number of students and a percentage would go to the charter
school.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY agreed that pupil transportation is not
required, but is a funding formula component and varies by
district. A local district could provide funding in exchange for
that component as part of a contract between the charter school
and the district.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON questioned the idea of splitting up
transportation funding for charter schools when it is not done
for regular schools.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said transportation funding is currently a
disparity because charter students generate funds, but a school
district may not be providing transportation to a charter
school.
9:18:42 AM
SENATOR GARDNER questioned giving transportation funding to
charter schools where students walk and there is no bussing.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY discussed residential schools. He said there
are currently seven approved residential schools in the state.
He explained that currently, districts can only apply to open a
new residential school during open application periods. He said
he had an open application period last year based on perceived
needs and due to conversations with the legislature last year
regarding SB 47. None of the previous commissioners had opened
up an application period and there is no requirement to do so.
He explained that the bill would require that DEED open an
annual application period. It would also require the boarding
stipend to reflect basic understanding of actual costs to house
and care for a student 24/7.
9:21:08 AM
COMMISSIONER HANLEY addressed the base student allocation (BSA)
increase. The proposal in the bill is for an FY 15 BSA increase
of $85 per student which translates to about $21 million. This
allocation is in addition to the $25 million one-time funding
included in the budget this year for energy and fixed costs. The
$58 BSA increase per student in FY 16 and FY 17 translates to
about $15.4 million each year.
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND referred to the increase in the boarding
stipend to reflect true costs. She suggested that the BSA also
reflect the true cost to educate students.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY commented that is a good conversation for
the legislature to have.
9:22:56 AM
COMMISSIONER BLUMER related that the nationwide average
graduation rate for high school students who are enrolled in a
Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) is more than 90
percent, compared to 75 percent for students who don't
participate in that program. In addition to reauthorizing TVEP
through 2024, which sunsets in June 2014, the bill would require
institutions receiving TVEP funding to establish or maintain
partnerships or articulation agreements with Alaska schools to
provide the opportunity for Alaskan youth to earn dual credits
at secondary and post-secondary levels.
SENATOR GARDNER asked what percentage of Alaska students
enrolled in TVEP graduate.
COMMISSIONER BLUMER offered to provide that number.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY presented information about the tax credits
in the bill. There are two opportunities for tax credits for
Alaska businesses; it allows the private sector to partner with
local school districts by funding scholarships to students
earning dual credit to defray costs of tuition, registration,
course and textbook fees, and for construction, maintenance or
operation of residential housing facilities.
9:26:18 AM
COMMISSIONER RODELL explained how the tax credits work. A
business taxpayer currently can take an education tax credit
against their tax liability. In 2013 universities and colleges
benefitted by $3.8 million and vocational schools benefitted by
over $3.3 million in tax credits for donations made for
research, education support services, vocational technical
education and training schools, education courses, programs and
facilities. This bill continues the cap of $5 million in tax
credits, but expands the qualifying donations to fund
scholarships for dual credit students and for residential
housing.
CHAIR STEVENS gave Commissioner Hanley an opportunity to provide
concluding remarks.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY summarized that Alaska's Education
Opportunity Act addresses specific targets in order to provide
greater opportunity, remove barriers, and thereby allowing
students to access greater opportunity in public schools.
9:28:32 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON requested information about potential
funding changes to regular schools, such as transportation
costs.
SENATOR HUGGINS thanked the commissioner for the initiative for
residential schools. He credited the Native Corporations for
bringing the idea of the tax credits for education.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked why there are so many components in
one bill, and not separate bills for each component.
9:30:03 AM
COMMISSIONER HANLEY stated that the linkage of the components is
"improving education across the state." He opined that there
needs to be a broad conversation.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned whether the conversation
requires one bill and would not be possible with separate bills.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said no; it's a more comprehensive
conversation when the components are combined.
[SB 139 and HB 278 were held for further consideration.]
9:31:16 AM
CHAIR STEVENS adjourned the joint meeting of the Senate
Education Standing Committee and the House Education Standing
Committee at 9:31 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 01_SB139_BillText_VersionA_01242014.PDF |
SEDC 2/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 139 |
| 02_SB139_SponsorStatement_VersionA_01232014.pdf |
SEDC 2/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 139 |
| 03 SB139_Sectional_VersionA_01242014.pdf |
SEDC 2/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 139 |
| 04_SB139_FiscalNote1_DEED_01242014.PDF |
SEDC 2/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 139 |
| 05_SB139_FiscalNote2_DEED_01242014.PDF |
SEDC 2/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 139 |
| 06_SB139_FiscalNote3_DEED_01242014.PDF |
SEDC 2/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 139 |
| 07_SB139_FiscalNote4_DEED_01242014.PDF |
SEDC 2/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 139 |
| 08_SB139_FiscalNote5_DOL_01242014.PDF |
SEDC 2/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 139 |
| 09_SB139_FiscalNote6_UnivAK_01242014.PDF |
SEDC 2/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 139 |
| 10_SB139_FiscalNote7_DOR_01242014.PDF |
SEDC 2/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 139 |
| 11a_SB139_Powerpoint_JointEdCmte_02032014.pdf |
SEDC 2/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 139 |
| 12_SB139_Hanley_TalkingPoints.pdf |
SEDC 2/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 139 |
| 13_SB139_RepealExitExam_SBEED_01272014.pdf |
SEDC 2/3/2014 8:00:00 AM |
SB 139 |