Legislature(2015 - 2016)BUTROVICH 205
04/09/2015 03:30 PM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB89 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 89 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 37 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 9, 2015
3:31 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Mike Dunleavy, Chair
Senator Charlie Huggins, Vice Chair
Senator Cathy Giessel
Senator Gary Stevens
Senator Berta Gardner
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 89
"An Act relating to a parent's right to direct the education of
a child; and relating to questionnaires administered in
schools."
- MOVED CSSB 89(EDC) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 37
"An Act relating to sexual abuse and sexual assault awareness
and prevention efforts in public schools."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 89
SHORT TITLE: PARENT RIGHTS: EDUCATION; SCHOOL ABSENCE
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) DUNLEAVY
03/25/15 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/25/15 (S) EDC, STA
03/31/15 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/31/15 (S) Scheduled but Not Heard
04/02/15 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/02/15 (S) Heard & Held
04/02/15 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/07/15 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/07/15 (S) Heard & Held
04/07/15 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/09/15 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
04/09/15 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
BETHANY MARCUM, Staff
Senator Mike Dunleavy
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained Amendment 3 on behalf of the
sponsor.
CAYLEA COLLUM, Student
Juneau Douglas High School
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
IZABELLA POWERS, Student
University of Alaska-Southeast
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
CALVIN ZUELOW, Student
Juneau Douglas High School
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
LAURA POWERS, representing herself
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
COURTNEY POWERS, representing herself
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
ANN YOUNG, representing herself
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
SUE SCHRADER, representing herself
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
DEANNA HOBBS, representing herself
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
PAULA TERREL, representing herself
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
ESTHER SMITH, representing herself
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
JULIE STROEMER, representing herself
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 89.
LYNN ESCOLA, representing herself
Petersburg, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89, as
amended.
KAITLYN ROBERTS, representing herself
Eagle River, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
AMMIE TREMBLAY, representing herself
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
JENNIFER WOOLY, representing herself
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
JUDY MILLER, representing herself
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
JOHN LEVY, representing himself
Board Member, Planned Parenthood
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
THEUIA PETERSON, representing herself
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
MICHELLE DAML, Curriculum Coordinator
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
LINDA FILE, representing herself
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
PATSY BEHNER, representing herself
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
CHANDA FILE, representing herself
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
PETE HOEPFNER, Cordova School Board
Cordova School District
Cordova, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
KATE FINN, representing herself
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
AMY BOLLENBACH, representing herself
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
GINA CARPENTER, representing herself
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
JOAN DIAMOND, representing herself
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
ROBIN SMITH, representing herself
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
JULIE BAIRD, representing herself
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 89.
LISA EGAN LAGERQUIST, representing herself
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 89.
REPRESENTATIVE LAURA REINBOLD
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 89.
MIKE HANLEY, Commissioner
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on SB 89.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:31:44 PM
CHAIR MIKE DUNLEAVY called the Senate Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:31 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Huggins, Giessel, Gardner, and Chair
Dunleavy. Senator Stevens arrived shortly thereafter. He noted
two bills were before the committee.
SB 89-PARENT RIGHTS: EDUCATION; SCHOOL ABSENCE
3:32:29 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced the consideration of SB 89. He said a
committee substitute (CS) was adopted, two amendments were
adopted on 4/2/15 and public testimony is open. He asked if
there were further amendments for the committee to consider.
3:33:03 PM
SENATOR HUGGINS moved to adopt Amendment 3, labeled 29-
LS0735\P.6.
AMENDMENT 3
Page 1, line 10:
Delete "department"
Insert "state"
Page 2, line 10:
Delete "department"
Insert "state"
Page 2, line 12, following "standard,":
Insert "or"
Page 2, lines 12 - 13:
Delete ", or standards-based assessment or test
required by the department"
Page 2, line 16:
Delete "department"
Insert "state"
Page 2, line 21:
Delete "department"
Insert "state"
Page 2, line 23:
Delete "department"
Insert "state"
CHAIR DUNLEAVY objected for discussion.
BETHANY MARCUM, Staff, Senator Mike Dunleavy, Alaska State
Legislature, explained Amendment 3 on behalf of the sponsor.
Page 2, lines 12 and 13: remove the words "or
standards-based assessment or test required by the
department" to retain the validity of assessments.
Throughout the CS, the language used is "standards-
based assessment or test required by the department."
This amendment would change the word "department" and
would be replaced with the work "state" in all five
instances.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY noted the changes were as a result of a
discussion with Legislative Legal.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY removed his objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 3 was adopted.
3:35:04 PM
At ease
3:35:40 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY said he intends to move the bill out of committee
today. He opened public testimony.
3:36:23 PM
CAYLEA COLLUM, Student, Juneau Douglas High School (JDHS),
testified in opposition to SB 89. She said she is a member of
Teen Council at JDHS, a program that provides youth with the
opportunity to teach peers about things such as ways to keep
one's sexuality healthy and other information about growing up.
She stated that SB 89 will take away her right to a complete and
thorough education. She reported that every student she talked
to was in favor of sex education. She concluded that they want
to receive a good education, be well informed, and fix some of
the issues they are facing.
3:38:30 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked if Ms. Collum believes the bill would stop
sex education in schools.
MS. COLLUM said yes.
3:39:02 PM
IZABELLA POWERS, Student, University of Alaska-Southeast,
testified in opposition to SB 89. She said she is a
representative of student government at UAS. She opined that
youth should have access to comprehensive sex education. She
shared statistics about the high rates of STD's and rape in
Alaska. She said sex education is important to all youth.
3:40:08 PM
CALVIN ZUELOW, Student, Juneau Douglas High School, testified in
opposition to SB 89. He said he respects the intent of the bill
to have parental control of their student's education, but the
bill is damaging to the quality of sex education students
receive in school. As a member of the Teen Council, he said he
wants to ensure that schools have quality sex education, and
share that information with his peers. He noted the positive
results toward lowering statistics due to sex education, which
the bill would not allow due to Teen Council's connection to
Planned Parenthood.
SENATOR GARDNER asked for information about Teen Council.
MR. ZUELOW explained that Teen Council is by invitation to
classrooms at the request of teachers on a subject requested by
the teacher, such as values.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked if the Teen Council uses a Planned
Parenthood curriculum.
MR. ZUELOW said yes.
3:42:34 PM
LAURA POWERS, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 89. She shared statistics about STD's, rape, and sexual abuse
in Alaska. She demanded that lawmakers stand up for women,
children and Alaskans by supporting medically accurate sex
education in schools.
CORBIN POWERS, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 89. She shared statistics about STD's, rape, and sexual abuse
in Alaska. She demanded that lawmakers stand up for women,
children and Alaskans by supporting medically accurate sex
education in schools.
[MS. LAURA POWERS AND MS. CORBIN POWERS testified together.]
ANN YOUNG, representing herself, testified in opposition to SB
89. The bill limits the rights of children to get the knowledge
they need to make decisions in their lives. She voiced concern
about the lack of safety for women in Alaska. She commented on
the repercussions of teen pregnancy. She said people have a
right to pursue happiness and need information to do so.
3:46:03 PM
SUE SCHRADER, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 89. She shared statistics of the high amount of STI's in
Alaska. She opined that the facts are irrelevant when talking to
politicians. She said SB 89 substantiates that comment.
3:47:40 PM
DEANNA HOBBS, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 89. She shared her experience as a peer educator in Teen
Council and the need to communicate information about sex
education to teens. She said she has seen the positive impacts
from such education.
SENATOR GARDNER asked if her peers have accurate information and
where they get it.
MS. HOBBS said a lot of teens go to websites for information.
She did not think that health classes taught very much about
sexuality. Also, some teens obtain information from their
parents, but most just listen to their friends or find
information on the internet.
3:50:22 PM
SENATOR HUGGINS talked about teen suicide due to alcohol and
drugs.
MS. HOBBS asked for clarification of his question.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked how they relate to sexual abuse and STD's.
MS. HOBBS said drugs and alcohol do relate to these issues.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked how Juneau statistics compare to other
places in the state.
MS. HOBBS said she is not aware of that.
3:53:04 PM
PAULA TERREL, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 89. She commented on limiting testimony to one minute on such
an important topic. She said she finds the bill to be
prohibitive; it puts a clamp on school districts. She maintained
that schools are open to parents who wish their children to opt
out of programs. She read Fairbanks' opt out policy and said
that is the way it should be, not to have to have permission
before they participate.
In response to a question from Senator Gardner regarding the
accuracy of Planned Parenthood's information, she understood
that Planned Parenthood can be invited into the schools and they
strive for and are vetted for medical accuracy.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY noted the presence of Senator Stevens.
3:56:05 PM
ESTHER SMITH, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 89. She stated that everyone knows that schools have an
obligation to provide education to students that is
comprehensive, and age appropriate. She stressed that healthy
sexuality should be taught accurately throughout the state. It
is appropriate for schools to decide that certain mandates
supersede parental opinions.
3:57:35 PM
JULIE STROEMER, representing herself, testified in support of SB
89. She stated that she has enormous concern about her parental
rights in the school district. She said she is opposed to people
from Planned Parenthood talking to students.
3:59:23 PM
LYNN ESCOLA, representing herself, testified in opposition to SB
89, as amended. She said that the bill is an attempt to destroy
Planned Parenthood, which is the best provider of sex education.
She opined that Alaska's young people are not being well-served
in SB 89.
4:01:05 PM
KAITLYN ROBERTS, representing herself, testified in opposition
to SB 89. She cited the high rates of STI's and teen pregnancy
in Alaska and the need for education in order to lower those
rates. She shared a personal story about her own experience in a
sex education class that did not negatively affect her family's
values.
4:02:34 PM
AMMIE TREMBLAY, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 89. She said she is a supporter of comprehensive sex
education. SB 89 creates barriers to comprehensive, engaging,
and science-based health education and community organizations
that provide it. Students need sex education that addresses
social responsibly and the science of reproductive health.
4:03:46 PM
JENNIFER WOOLY, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 89. She commented on the high rate of STI's and sexual
assault. She said her background includes sexual health
education and her future career is in medicine. She sees the
direct connection between education and health. She spoke of the
children who do not have involved parents and may not access the
information they need. She stressed the importance of medically
accurate, age-appropriate education about their bodies and
relationships. She asked that the committee not force parents to
opt in.
4:04:47 PM
JUDY MILLER, representing herself, testified in opposition to SB
89. She opined that the bill is damaging to student's gaining
access to vetted, objective, medically accurate sex education
information, as provided by Planned Parenthood. An opt-out
provisions for parents already exists, but the bill is requiring
an opt-in provision. She thought Section 2 was especially
confusing regarding opting in for any test or survey and would
be impossible to manage.
4:06:25 PM
JOHN LEVY, representing himself, Board Member, Planned
Parenthood, testified in opposition to SB 89, especially
Amendment 2. He recalled how important sex education was for his
children. He noted misinformation his children's friends had
about sexual relations, pregnancy, and disease. He pointed out
that Planned Parenthood has developed an accurate, broad, and
excellent information program for teaching responsibility to
kids of many ages. It is up to the local school district whether
or not to include these programs. Sex education reduces STD's,
and teen pregnancies, and delays intercourse.
4:08:05 PM
THEUIA PETERSON, representing herself, testified in opposition
to SB 89. She said as a student at the University of Alaska-
Anchorage she has found that many of her peers do not know about
sexual health or where to go for help. She hoped that a
comprehensive sex education program would lower the high
statistics regarding STI's and sexual assault in Alaska.
4:09:13 PM
MICHELLE DAML, Curriculum Coordinator, Fairbanks North Star
Borough School District, testified in opposition to SB 89. She
stated that the district's opt-out process works and is more
realistic than an opt-in policy. The district has developed
brochures and documents for internal and external research
guidelines and are found on the website. This legislation
implies that districts are not currently protecting student data
and takes the decision about surveys and questionnaires away
from local control.
SENATOR GARDNER asked if there would be a fiscal impact of an
opt-in policy.
MS. DAML said it would require many more hours to track students
for each activity.
SENATOR GARDNER asked what happens to the kids who opt out.
MS. DAML said parents can keep the student home or make
arrangements within school with another teacher or adult in the
building.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked if students need a permission slip for
field trips.
MS. DAML said field trips require permission slips and relevance
to academic lessons.
SENATOR HUGGINS concluded that they opt in for the field trip.
MS. DAML said yes, but if the trip is related to the curriculum,
permission slips are not required, but it is good practice to
have them.
4:13:30 PM
LINDA FILE, representing herself, testified in opposition to SB
89. She said she has been a volunteer for Planned Parenthood and
stated that Alaska is in extreme crisis concerning STI's and
sexual assault. Quality reproductive health information is
desperately needed by Alaska's youth and parents. She said the
amendment disallows and demonizes Planned Parenthood as abortion
services providers. This betrays a serious lack of knowledge
about the full range of reproductive health education and care
provided through Planned Parenthood. As public policy, it is
misleading and misinformed and demeaning to women.
4:15:30 PM
PATSY BEHNER, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 89. She spoke as a former teacher who believes that teens
want to be responsible and look to the institutions in their
lives, such as school, family, and Planned Parenthood for
essential information. She stressed the need for quality
information for students and the consequences without it. She
spoke highly of Planned Parenthood education.
4:16:44 PM
CHANDA FILE, representing herself, testified in opposition to SB
89. She said she is a college student and has volunteered for
Planned Parenthood and knows of its positive impacts. She said
teens deserve to have accurate information about sex education.
PETE HOEPFNER, Cordova School Board, Cordova School District,
testified in opposition to SB 89. He voiced concerns about the
validity of test scores should many students be allowed to opt
out of taking them. School districts have been asked to be
accountable and teacher evaluations now include 50 percent of
their evaluation based on student growth. Testing scores help
address areas where student education is lacking.
SENATOR GARDNER asked about the cost of time and effort to
gather necessary signatures for test taking.
MR. HOEPFNER spoke as a parent about the difficulty of keeping
track of papers from school. The data the school receives for
the Youth Risk Survey is not enough to be relevant. He opined
that tests provide valuable information the schools need to
have.
4:20:10 PM
SENATOR STEVENS voiced concern about opting out of testing and
how it affects the child who is not allowed to take college or
vocational training tests.
MR. HOEPFNER had a concern about the more involved parents
opting out and that higher achieving student don't take the
tests. That sets the schools up for failure. Also, students
won't be prepared for testing in college.
4:22:40 PM
KATE FINN, representing herself, testified in opposition to SB
89. She said she was a sexual assault nurse examiner and she
strongly opposes the bill as it is currently written. The bill
is not just about sex education, but should be a safety net for
kids. Kids should learn in school how to recognize predatory
behavior. She stressed that kids need the information provided
by sex education. She suggested just allowing parents to opt
out.
4:24:04 PM
AMY BOLLENBACH, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 89. She said she agrees with the previous speakers in
opposition to the bill. She shared her experience as a teacher
of human sexuality and stressed the need for the information.
4:25:25 PM
GINA CARPENTER, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 89. She said she is a registered nurse who has worked in the
area of sex education for over 30 years. She found Planned
Parenthood very supportive of abstinence and birth control
methods and not pushing abortion. They are trained and good
educators. She concluded that girls with access to sex education
have lower pregnancies.
4:26:52 PM
JOAN DIAMOND, representing herself, testified in opposition to
SB 89. She spoke as a former public health nurse about the sex
education she provided in schools. She stressed the need for
accurate information for students.
4:28:14 PM
ROBIN SMITH, representing herself, testified in opposition to SB
89. She said parental support for school-based sex education is
overwhelmingly positive as information that supplements
conversations at home. Planned Parenthood helps fill an
important gap left by the state's inaction of ensuring students
have access to this important information. She spoke of a
Planned Parent workshop for parents, which encourages parents to
pass on their values to their children.
4:30:15 PM
JULIE BAIRD, representing herself, testified in support of SB
89. She said she believes in protecting parental rights and in
sexual education and is teaching her children about it. She
pointed out that there are many programs available for sex
education.
4:32:06 PM
LISA EGAN LAGERQUIST, representing herself, testified in
opposition to SB 89. She understood that Amendment 2 would
prevent Planned Parenthood from providing material or
instruction on sexually transmitted diseases and sexuality in
public schools. She spoke of an excellent Planned Parenthood
workshop on sexuality for parents. She concluded that she wants
to have the program in her kids' school for other parents.
4:33:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LAURA REINBOLD, Alaska State Legislature,
testified in support of SB 89. She said parental involvement is
the key to student success. She said parents should be able to
opt out of programs like Planned Parenthood. She spoke in favor
of parental rights.
4:35:09 PM
MIKE HANLEY, Commissioner, Department of Health and Social
Services (DHSS), testified on SB 89. He said the opt-out
language is problematic for school districts because they are
required to provide state assessments and it puts the $96.7
million in Title funds at risk. It forces districts to make a
choice between complying with state law or with federal law. He
said he has talked to the Assistant Secretary of Education, who
made it clear districts would be out of compliance under SB 89.
He said currently the state has the opportunity to have the data
that will show how schools are doing. It provides personal data
to parents and to students and provides group data to schools.
Losing that data, especially in small communities, might make
the data invalid.
4:38:57 PM
SENATOR STEVENS voiced concern about the language that allows
parents to opt out of taking standards-based assessments, tests
required by the state. He asked what happens to those kids who
don't take those tests. They would not be able to get into
college or into a training program. Also, the department would
not know how Alaska's students are doing.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said standards-based tests are not high
stakes tests and will have no impact on grades, or employment,
but they do provide information to students and parents about
how districts are doing. He used the example of the Performance
Scholarship to make his point. He provided an example of
students that could not score well on SAT, ACT, or WorkKeys
tests in several districts, leading to an adjustment of the
curriculum. He said he is not afraid of accountability and looks
forward to making informed decisions, but does not want to lose
the data from test results.
4:41:34 PM
SENATOR GARDNER said as a parent of three kids in public
schools, she was very involved and made it her business to know
how things were going and to look at the work her kids were
doing. She said she felt empowered to opt her kids out of
programs and situations. She asked if parents can still do that
now.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said yes; parents currently have the right
to opt out. He described his experience as an educator.
4:43:17 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked if parents have inherent parental rights.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY agreed.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY said there should be no issue with having that
provision in SB 89.
COMMISSIONER HANELY said there is a difference: By codifying it
in SB 89 the bill states that "basically school districts are
going to encourage the 'opt out,'" which is problematic.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY maintained that the bill does not encourage
school districts, it states that parents have the right.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY countered that he interprets "shall
implement the policy to allow parents to opt out" as opting out,
as opposed to current state and federal law where the state has
the responsibility to assess all students so that there is an
understanding of how schools are doing.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked if the issue is the assessment part.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY said that is what he is addressing. He said
he does not have an issue with the other opt-out topics.
4:45:16 PM
SENATOR GARDNER read in Section 1, "a local school board shall,
in consultation with parents, teachers, and school
administrators, adopt policies to promote the involvement of
parents in the school district's education program." She
maintained that schools are always trying to involve parents.
She asked if there currently are regulations or statutes that
encourage and require districts and schools to get parent
involvement.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY replied that one of the teacher standards is
the engagement of parents. He said is it absolutely a Best
Practice to engage parents.
SENATOR GARDNER noted that she and the commissioner had a
conversation about the attendance requirement with the existing
statute being a tool to let schools take a child off the rolls
if they have unexcused absences for a long period where the
school believes a family has moved.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY clarified that the language speaks to
withdrawing a student after 10 absences. It is not designed for
a student who is sick or on vacation, nor to punish a student.
The purpose was to ensure that districts did not have students
who were not attending on their rolls during the October funding
count.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY agreed.
4:48:24 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL understood that opting out of standards-based
assessments was deleted, as was withdrawing from a performance
standard.
MS. MARCUM clarified that only opting out of performance
standards has been removed.
SENATOR STEVENS asked where that was done.
MS. MARCUM said page 1, line 12. She continued to say on page 2,
lines 12 and 13, it refers to the content the parent is allowed
to review, not the test or assessment.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY stated the standardized test cannot be opened and
reviewed.
SENATOR GIESSEL said parents are not given the option of opting
out of performance standards.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY agreed.
SENATOR GIESSEL referred to page 1, lines 9 and 10, where it
allows a parent to withdraw his or her child from a standards-
based assessment. She noted leading questions and values
contained in those tests. She asked whether the testing has an
impact on jobs or college applications.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY replied that they are not high-stake tests.
SENATOR GIESSEL asked if the national tests provide the same
data as the SAT, ACT, and WorkKeys.
COMMISSIONER HANLEY replied that they do. They provide data
based on performance standards for comparison to other students
around the state. He explained that ACE and SAT allow comparison
with students around the country, a larger benchmark.
4:53:32 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL concluded that the standards-based test may or
may not be needed to determine if a school is achieving
excellence.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY clarified that there are home school students,
exchange students, and private school students who go to
college. He said they don't need to take college entry tests. He
said tests are tools that help the practitioners. He said
parents have rights. He questioned what the purpose of schools
is. The bill states that parents have inherent rights. He
questioned if it is federal law telling the state what to do.
Parents are questioning what the tests do. It has changed from a
state focus to a federal focus.
4:57:44 PM
He reiterated the role of parents and their right to decide what
tests their kids should take. The bill illustrates that parents
have parental rights and abortion providers do not belong in
schools. He questioned the role of the federal government in
schools and if there is school choice.
5:03:09 PM
SENATOR HUGGINS supported Chair Dunleavy's comments. He voiced
concern about the government versus parents. He stressed
parents' rights.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY thanked Commissioner Hanley. He closed public
testimony.
5:07:36 PM
SENATOR GARDNER said she has three amendments. She moved
conceptual Amendment 4.
AMENDMENT 4
On page 1, beginning on line 12, to say "allowing a
parent to object and withdraw their child from an
activity, class, performance standard, or program."
CHAIR DUNLEAVY noted the bill would be heard in another
committee.
SENATOR GARDNER said she does not sit on that committee. She
continued to explain that she proposes to remove the language
"because of concern regarding" without listing the concerns
because there are a number of reasons why a parent would want to
withdraw a child.
SENATOR HUGGINS objected. He suggested saying "at parental
discretion." He wanted to keep the menu of reasons in the bill.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked Senator Gardner to repeat the amendment.
SENATOR GARDNER repeated the amendment. She did not want to see
an itemized list because if a parent's reason was not listed,
they could not remove their child.
A roll call vote was taken. Senators Gardner voted in favor of
conceptual Amendment 4 and Senators Huggins, Giessel, and
Dunleavy voted against it. Therefore, Amendment 4 failed by a
1:3 vote.
SENATOR GARDNER moved conceptual Amendment 5. She said on page
2, line 14, it says "ensuring that when a child is absent from
an activity, class, performance standard, program, or standards-
based assessment or test required by the department under this
section, the absence is not considered an unlawful absence." She
said she is concerned about kids that leave school without the
school knowing where they are. She suggested that there be a
trigger that the absence is the parent's choice. The parent has
to let the school know what they are doing.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked for the wording of the conceptual
amendment.
AMENDMENT 5
SENATOR GARDNER said "ensuring that when a parent
removes a child from an activity, class, performance
standard, program, or standards-based assessment or
test, if the parent notifies the school, the absence
is not considered unlawful." There is a problem with
truancy in some places and the school does not know
the difference unless notified by the parent.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY objected for discussion.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked for the amendment to be restated.
SENATOR GARDNER said she simply wants a way for the school to
make a distinction between a parent choice to remove a child and
an absence a parent may or may not know about.
SENATOR GIESSEL thought that it was already established under
the title - "a parent's right to direct the education."
5:13:35 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY commented that if a child is AWOL it is
unexcused.
SENATOR GARDNER questioned how the school would know.
5:14:11 PM
MS. MARCUM responded that there are two sections that apply. On
page 2, line 16, "under AS 14.30.020" was added by Legislative
Legal to indicate that it only includes the absences and
withdrawals covered under the section. Also, on page 1, lines 7
and 8, it says it is up to the school district to develop the
policies for this.
5:15:16 PM
SENATOR GARDNER opined that (6) does not give the school any way
to know that when a child is missing it is due to the parent's
intent.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY asked if the intent is notification.
SENATOR GARDNER said she wants the school to be able to know
when a child is absent due to the parent's action.
SENATOR HUGGINS offered to carry the amendment to the next
committee of referral.
SENATOR GARDNER agreed; she withdrew Amendment 5.
5:17:01 PM
SENATOR GARDNER moved the committee recede from the passage of
Amendment 2, labeled 29-LS0735\P.2, on the grounds that it is
unconstitutional. She noted there is a legal opinion on it.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY countered that the legal opinion says it "raises
equal protection and may implicate First Amendment rights". He
said many legal opinions are written this way, because it is not
certain until tested by a legal case.
SENATOR GARDNER declined to proceed with her motion to recede
from the passage of Amendment 2.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY noted a zero fiscal note.
5:18:24 PM
SENATOR HUGGINS moved to report CS for SB 89, version P as
amended, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced that without objection, CSSB 89(EDC) is
reported from the Senate Education Standing Committee.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY noted that he supports Senator Huggins in
carrying conceptual Amendment 5 to the next committee of
referral and wishes to discuss conceptual Amendment 4 further
with Senator Gardner and possibly include that as well.
5:19:06 PM
At ease
5:20:51 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY noted that SB 37 would be heard at the next
Education Committee meeting.
5:21:31 PM
There being nothing further to come before the committee, Chair
Dunleavy adjourned the Senate Education Standing Committee at
5:21 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 89 Legislation.pdf |
SEDC 4/2/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| CS for SB 89 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| SB 89 Fiscal Note.pdf |
SEDC 4/2/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| SB 89 - Emails of Support.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| CS for SB 89 Explanation of Changes.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| CS for SB 89 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SEDC 4/2/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| CS for SB 89 Legislation.pdf |
SEDC 4/2/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| SB 89 Emails of Support.pdf |
SEDC 4/2/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| CS for SB 89 Amendment #1.pdf |
SEDC 4/7/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| CS for SB 89 Explanation of Amend #1.pdf |
SEDC 4/7/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| CS for SB 89 Explanation of Amend #2.pdf |
SEDC 4/7/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| CS for SB 89 Amendment #2.pdf |
SEDC 4/7/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| CS for SB 89 Explanation of Amend P6.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| CS for SB 89 Amendment P6.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| 1. SB 37 Legislation.pdf |
SEDC 4/2/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 2. SB 37 Fiscal Note.pdf |
SEDC 4/2/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 3. CS for SB 37 - Legislation.pdf |
SEDC 4/2/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 4. CS for SB 37 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SEDC 4/2/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 5. CS for SB 37 - Explanation of Changes.pdf |
SEDC 4/2/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 6. CS for SB 37 - David Holthouse Article.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 11. CS for SB 37 - Cindy Moore Teen Dating Violence Letter.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 8. CS for SB 37 - ANDVSA Letter of Support.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 9. CS for SB 37 - Nebraska Lindsay Ann Burke Act.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 10. CS for SB 37 - Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SEDC 4/2/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 8. CS for SB 37 - Cindy Moore Teen Dating Violence Letter.pdf |
SEDC 4/2/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 12. CS for SB 37 - Nebraska Lindsay Ann Burke Act.pdf |
SEDC 4/2/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 13. CS for SB 37 - ANDVSA Letter of Support.pdf |
SEDC 4/2/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 14. SB 37 - School Curriculum.pdf |
SEDC 4/7/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 15. SB 37 - Anchorage Parent Information.pdf |
SEDC 4/7/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 16. SB 37 - Fairbanks Erin's Policy.pdf |
SEDC 4/7/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| 17. SB 37 - OCS Child Sexual Abuse Stats FY14.pdf |
SEDC 4/7/2015 3:30:00 PM SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 37 |
| CS for SB 89 Explanation of Amend #1.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| CS for SB 89 packet 1 testimony.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| CS for SB 89 packet 2 testimony.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2015 3:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |