Legislature(2017 - 2018)BUTROVICH 205
04/07/2017 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB102 | |
| SB103 | |
| SB104 | |
| SB99 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 99 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 102 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 103 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 104 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 7, 2017
8:04 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Shelley Hughes, Chair
Senator Gary Stevens
Senator Cathy Giessel
Senator John Coghill
Senator Tom Begich
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 102
"An Act relating to funding for Internet services for school
districts; and relating to the Alaska higher education
investment fund."
- MOVED SB 102 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 103
"An Act establishing the Alaska education innovation grant
program; eliminating the Alaska education grant program and the
Alaska performance scholarship program; redesignating the Alaska
higher education investment fund as the Alaska education
innovation grant fund; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED SB 103 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 104
"An Act relating to the duties of the state Board of Education
and Early Development; and relating to school curriculum."
- MOVED SB 104 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 99
"An Act relating to early education programs provided by school
districts; relating to funding for early education programs; and
relating to the duties of the state Board of Education and Early
Development."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 102
SHORT TITLE: INTERNET FOR SCHOOLS; FUNDING
SPONSOR(s): FINANCE
04/03/17 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/03/17 (S) EDC, FIN
04/03/17 (S) HUS WAIVED PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE,RULE
23
04/04/17 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/04/17 (S) Heard & Held
04/04/17 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/05/17 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
04/05/17 (S) Heard & Held
04/05/17 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/07/17 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 103
SHORT TITLE: ED GRANTS/SCHOLARSHIP;INNOVATIVE ED FUND
SPONSOR(s): FINANCE
04/03/17 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/03/17 (S) EDC, FIN
04/03/17 (S) HUS WAIVED PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE,RULE
23
04/04/17 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/04/17 (S) Heard & Held
04/04/17 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/05/17 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
04/05/17 (S) Heard & Held
04/05/17 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/07/17 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 104
SHORT TITLE: EDUCATION CURRICULUM
SPONSOR(s): FINANCE
04/03/17 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/03/17 (S) EDC, FIN
04/03/17 (S) HUS WAIVED PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE, RULE
23
04/04/17 (S) EDC AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/04/17 (S) Heard & Held
04/04/17 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/05/17 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
04/05/17 (S) Heard & Held
04/05/17 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
04/07/17 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 99
SHORT TITLE: PRE-ELEMENTARY PROGRAMS/FUNDING
SPONSOR(s): BEGICH
03/29/17 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/29/17 (S) EDC, FIN
04/07/17 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
BRITTANY HUTCHISON, Staff
Senator Anna MacKinnon
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Reviewed SB 102, SB 103, and SB 104 on
behalf of the Senate Finance Committee.
HEIDI TESHNER, Director
Administrative Services
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Addressed the fiscal notes for SB 102, SB
103, and SB 104.
PATIENCE FREDERIKSEN, Director
Division of Libraries, Archives, & Museums
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on SB 102.
STEPHANIE BUTLER, Interim Executive Director
Postsecondary Education
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Addressed two fiscal notes related to SB
103.
PAUL PRUSSING, Deputy Director
Teacher and Learning Support
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions related to SB 103.
SYDNEY KAUFMAN, Ph.D., Staff
Senator Tom Begich
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the sectional analysis of SB 99 on
behalf of the sponsor.
MEGHAN JOHNSON, Director
Learn and Grow in THREAD
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 99.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:04:26 AM
CHAIR SHELLEY HUGHES called the Senate Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:04 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Begich, Giessel, Coghill, Stevens, and Chair
Hughes. She listed the bills to be heard, SB 102, SB 103, SB
104, which will pass out of committee if it is the will of the
committee, and SB 99.
SB 102-INTERNET FOR SCHOOLS; FUNDING
8:05:40 AM
CHAIR HUGHES announced the consideration of SB 102.
8:05:48 AM
BRITTANY HUTCHISON, Staff, Senator Anna MacKinnon, Alaska State
Legislature, reviewed SB 102 on behalf of the Senate Finance
Committee. She related that the goals of the suite of bills are
to prioritize K-12 education and how the legislature spends
limited funds. They propose to improve outcomes for Alaska
students and to provide for efficiency and streamlined
deliveries of education processes and procedures. Alaska student
outcomes are not where they should be to be prepared for life
after high school. Alaska students deserve a 21st Century
Education.
8:07:01 AM
MS. HUTCHISON addressed concerns regarding SB 102. According to
the Alaska Telephone Association bandwidth can be prioritized
within the network and each provider can control the traffic as
schools request it in their contract. All schools in Alaska are
currently able to go up to 25 Mbps, even those using satellite.
An increased internet capability can help resolve latency and
buffering issues, depending on how many people/classrooms use it
at once. The bill will not require any new infrastructure and
does not pay for anything but internet services.
8:07:56 AM
CHAIR HUGHES noted she would distribute ATA's letter of support.
8:08:35 AM
HEIDI TESHNER, Director, Administrative Services, Department of
Education and Early Development (DEED), addressed the fiscal
note for SB 102. She explained that the fiscal note is for a
library operations component, with $34,000 requested for the
increased E-rate contractor to approve the applications, for
technical assistance, and for regulation changes. She said $16
million is estimated in the grant component to bring the 197
schools up to 25 Mbps.
8:09:40 AM
SENATOR BEGICH confirmed that name change is to the Higher
Education Fund.
MS. TESHNER said yes.
8:10:01 AM
PATIENCE FREDERIKSEN, Director, Division of Libraries, Archives,
& Museums, Department of Education and Early Development (DEED),
presented information on SB 102. She explained that the division
has been running the School Broadband Assistance Grant (School
BAG) program for three years. They have the capacity to add 64
more schools to the School BAG program.
8:10:32 AM
SENATOR BEGICH asked how many schools would be served.
MS. FREDERIKSEN replied that 133 schools are receiving services
now; there are 197 schools that would need support to get to 25
Mbps.
8:11:13 AM
SENATOR BEGICH said he would support passing the bill out of
committee, but disagrees with the funding source. He wanted to
have more than three days to vet the bill.
8:11:50 AM
SENATOR COGHILL thought the bill was a good solution.
SENATOR COGHILL moved to report SB 102, version A, from
committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal
note.
CHAIR HUGHES announced that without objection, SB 102 moved from
the Senate Education Standing Committee.
SB 103-ED GRANTS/SCHOLARSHIP; INNOVATIVE ED FUND
8:12:16 AM
CHAIR HUGHES announced the consideration of SB 103.
BRITTANY HUTCHISON, Staff, Senator Anna MacKinnon, reviewed SB
103 on behalf of the sponsor. She addressed comments made by
public testimony. According to the Alaska Performance
Scholarship (APS) Outcomes Report from 2011-2016, 8,606 students
have received $48,840,606 in scholarships. It is time to re-
prioritize spending on K-12 education to better prepare 130,000
students for life after high school. The money is best served
where it is constitutionally mandated.
She said, according to the University of Alaska FY18 budget
overview, out of 100 average 9th graders, 29 won't graduate from
high school, 40 won't attend college, 16 will attend college out
of state, 10 will attend UA but are not graduated within 6
years, and 5 will graduate within 6 years. She opined that these
are not positive outcomes.
According to the UA information system, since the inception of
the APS, remediation rates were at 53 percent, decreased to 48
percent in 2014, and now are at 52 percent. Also, the number of
high school seniors entering the university as freshmen has
decreased every year. The APS has not increased the number of
freshmen attending the university. She pointed out that 25
percent of APS recipients are also UA Scholars. There is some
overlap and getting rid of the APS is not as detrimental as has
been portrayed. Students have access to other scholarships,
loans, and grants.
8:15:26 AM
SENATOR STEVENS spoke in support of the bill, but has concerns
about doing away with the APS. He said the APS is a good idea
and there has not been enough time to see if it works. He
wondered if it is possible to leave the program in place but cut
the funding to it so that, when possible, it could be
reinstated.
8:17:06 AM
MS. HUTCHISON said it is possible and it is a policy call.
SENATOR STEVENS said he is not suggesting that they change the
wording in the bill, but to consider it later in the process.
8:17:54 AM
CHAIR HUGHES shared the same concern.
8:18:06 AM
SENATOR GIESSEL had concerns that the APS was dipping too low -
to C students. She appreciated the data from the university. She
thought the University Honors Scholar (UHS) Program for the top
10 percent was a great program. She requested the amount of the
scholar program.
MS. HUTCHISON offered to provide the amount of tuition paid for
by the UHS.
SENATOR GIESSEL said she does support the bill, but the state is
in financial times.
8:20:07 AM
MS. HUTCHISON clarified that the 25 percent overlap of the two
scholarships is just for the 2015-2016 school year.
8:20:44 AM
SENATOR BEGICH voiced concern about the lack of time to work on
the bill. He said they need time to debate whether the APS is
working and whether to revisit it if it is not working. He
agreed with Senator Steven's idea of leaving the APS in place
and not funding it. All the public testimony, except for one
letter, opposed eliminating the APS.
He opined that the Innovation Grants provide a laudable goal,
however, you also must look at them in terms of the fiscal
climate. It is a voluntary program, but no district can afford
not to do it. Also, the bill directs districts to do specific
kinds of programming and it should allow local communities to
develop their own programs, not have to accept the four areas as
listed on pages 1 and 2 of the bill. He said he may oppose SB
103 because of that, because it will force communities to
compete for the grants, and because it is premature.
He voiced concerned that SB 103 does not have a fiscal note for
DEED to establish innovative programs, nor does it show how much
of the $349 million will be spent. SB 102's fiscal note does. He
commended the sponsor and the committee for their work on the
bill, but suggested they work on it during the interim.
8:25:07 AM
MS. HUTCHISON explained that the fiscal note for SB 102 shows a
repeating amount of $16 million, an amount that should slowly
decrease. The goal is that the fund would grow because it is
invested at 7 percent annually.
She said SB 103 is a guideline and the legislature will not have
a say in what kinds of grants are approved; the commissioner
will deem what is necessary and appropriate. The expense will
have to come from the commissioner's budget and be approved by
the governor and the legislature.
8:26:48 AM
HEIDI TESHNER, Director Administrative Service, Department of
Education and Early Development (DEED), addressed the fiscal
note for SB 103. She said there are three fiscal notes for SB
103. The first one is for the student and school achievement
allocation and requests two permanent full-time positions, an
education specialist and an education associate, for $209,400 in
the personal services line. Within the services line, $23,300 is
requested for department chargebacks and legal service costs.
8:28:17 AM
STEPHANIE BUTLER, Interim Executive Director, Postsecondary
Education, Department of Education and Early Development (DEED),
addressed two fiscal notes related to SB 103. The first note
applies to the repeal of the APS and shows a reduction from the
original FY18 appropriation. It is an estimate. The second note
is relative to the repeal of the Alaska Education Grant. It also
shows a reduction from the original FY18 appropriation and is
based on a statutory formula.
8:30:29 AM
SENATOR COGHILL thanked the sponsor of the bill. He commented
that these are tough choices in the time of fiscal shortages.
He said the bill has a goal to use the money more broadly to
lift more people up.
He shared concerns. He would prefer that the top tier of
students stay in the APS. He understood that, given the budget
situation, every dollar must provide the best benefit to
students. He said he will support the bill.
8:32:45 AM
CHAIR HUGHES agreed it is a tough decision. She supports
scholarships that allow students to go beyond high school,
however, state finances are in different times. The constitution
says the state must establish and maintain K-12 public schools.
When it comes to the university, the constitution establishes
it, but has no requirement to maintain it. The state's
obligation is to children. She said her goal is to have K-12
students that graduate more ready and eligible for grants and
scholarships. The APS has been a great program and has helped a
lot of students and families. She said she will support the
bill, but she is not opposed to keeping the APS statute on the
books.
8:34:46 AM
SENATOR COGHILL moved to report SB 103, version O, from
committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal
notes.
SENATOR BEGICH objected. He agreed that the key is to prepare
children for college and with the idea of having more rigor in
curriculum.
8:35:54 AM
SENATOR STEVENS expressed appreciation for Senator Coghill's
comment on lifting people up. He spoke in support of the average
student and the fact that they are also valuable. It is often
the average student that accomplishes much in life.
8:36:52 AM
SENATOR BEGICH agreed.
CHAIR HUGHES said she appreciates the comments about rigor. She
added that she heard from districts that rigorous courses
motivate students. She encouraged districts to continue those
offerings.
8:37:36 AM
SENATOR GIESSEL pointed out that there is also a remediation
issue. She spoke in support of the bill because it takes scant
resources and drives them down to the K-12 level. She said her
focus is on the K-3 grade level and reading. She agreed the APS
is great, but stressed the importance of funding basic skills.
A roll call vote was taken. Senators Giessel, Hughes, Coghill,
and Stevens voted in favor of moving SB 103 from committee and
Senator Begich voted against it. Therefore, SB 103 passed out of
the Senate Education Standing Committee by a 4:1 vote.
8:39:22 AM
At ease
SB 104-EDUCATION CURRICULUM
8:40:49 AM
CHAIR HUGHES announced the consideration of SB 104.
8:41:11 AM
BRITTANY HUTCHISON, Staff, Senator Anna MacKinnon, Alaska State
Legislature, reviewed SB 104 on behalf of the sponsor. She
addressed concerns of public testifiers. She said SB 104 is
completely voluntary. The state plans to pay for the fiscal note
and additional staff, if needed, curriculum research and
professional development, but it will not come out of DEED funds
or district funds. It would come out of the Alaska Education
Innovation Grant Fund. The bill will not touch local control.
The goal is to provide a curriculum in math and English to
students in schools that don't have the necessary resources to
come up with their own curriculum. It provides a three-year
review reprieve to help the commissioner in implementing the
Alaska Education Challenge.
8:42:33 AM
MS. HUTCHISON summarized that the three bills are not meant to
make up for the difference in the BSA reduction. The bills
should provide funding and cost savings to school districts and
provide a funding stream to bridge the achievement gap and bring
curriculum, students, and instruction in line with 21st Century
technology.
8:43:09 AM
SENATOR BEGICH asked what the impetus for the bill was. Many
districts testified that the bill would have no impact on them.
MS. HUTCHISON replied that Senator MacKinnon wrote a letter a
few years ago to the State Board of Education regarding common
curriculum to help districts. The sponsor has been contacted by
smaller schools with a request for English and math curriculum
help.
SENATOR BEGICH said that is a persuasive answer.
SENATOR STEVENS asked if the department could discuss the
implementation.
8:45:05 AM
CHAIR HUGHES requested clarification of the fiscal notes for SB
104. It says that (DEED) must purchase and provide curriculum
for the seven test districts and make it available to all
districts.
MS. HUTCHISON explained that the department will purchase
curriculum using the new Alaska Innovation Education Grant Fund.
CHAIR HUGHES asked if the department will pay for the quantities
the districts need.
MS. HUTCHISON offered to find out.
8:46:34 AM
SENATOR BEGICH asked what happens if the Innovation Education
Grant Fund does not pass.
MS. HUTCHISON replied it would come out of the Alaska Higher
Education Fund.
8:47:16 AM
SENATOR STEVENS asked how the department would implement the
program.
8:47:29 AM
PAUL PRUSSING, Deputy Director, Teacher and Learning Support,
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), answered
questions related to SB 104. He replied that it would be very
challenging for the department to implement because they don't
have a content specialist and the testing of the curriculum
would be extensive and costly. Math would be cost $328 per
student, so for Anchorage it would be about $30 million. The
reviewing, testing, and implementing of the curriculum would be
expensive. He shared his experience with the Reading First
Curriculum and the work and expense involved. Eventually, they
discovered an additional need to have supplemental programs for
unique populations. The fiscal note is indeterminate because
there are so many unknowns.
8:50:07 AM
SENATOR GIESSEL appreciated the need for a curriculum process.
She asked how a school district chooses a curriculum.
MR. PRUSSING explained that teachers know their kids and what
works for them. There is discussion amongst districts and they
share curriculum.
8:51:22 AM
CHAIR HUGHES asked if other states have taken this on. She said
it sounds complicated.
MR. PRUSSING said he researched for three days, including
talking with Education Northwest, a regional resource, and
didn't find much information. A few states have undertaken this
with varying degrees of success.
8:52:05 AM
SENATOR COGHILL said it is good information. He spoke of
developed curriculum and the pressure to buy it. He asked if
cyber education is changing the curriculum makeup.
8:53:17 AM
MR. PRUSSING said that some districts are not buying textbooks
any more. There is a market for a state's unique needs and
vendors are reacting to those needs.
8:54:03 AM
MS. TESHNER explained the indeterminate fiscal note for SB 104.
There would be a need for three positions; two content
specialists, one in math and one in Language Arts, and one
support staff.
CHAIR HUGHES asked about the department purchasing and providing
curriculum to districts.
8:55:07 AM
MR. PRUSSING explained that the state would be providing the
curriculum to any district that would like it. It could be
expensive because some may want books; some technology.
8:55:44 AM
SENATOR COGHILL asked if the department has done this before.
8:56:06 AM
MR. PRUSSING replied that the department has provided resources
to districts. In 2005 the department worked on a project for
lesson plans which were available on line. It was not used very
much.
SENATOR COGHILL recalled an Alaska History curriculum.
8:57:03 AM
CHAIR HUGHES commented that the department would provide
evidence-based curriculum to ensure that districts receive a
quality product.
8:57:47 AM
MR. PRUSSING asked what happens when the kids are not successful
when using a department-provided curriculum. He spoke of the
importance of local knowledge and the need for yearly
professional development.
8:58:42 AM
SENATOR STEVENS voiced concern about the role of local control
in this process.
MR. PRUSSING thought the bill would change the role of local
control because the curriculum might not have the approval of
the local school board.
9:00:07 AM
CHAIR HUGHES pointed out that the curriculum is optional, and a
district could continue with what they are currently doing.
9:00:29 AM
MR. PRUSSING referred to page 1, line 9, which says the State
Board shall approve curricula used by the five largest
districts.
9:00:41 AM
SENATOR GIESSEL pointed out that it also includes the Regional
Education Attendance Areas (REAA).
9:01:02 AM
MS. HUTCHISON stated that the bill is voluntary and local
control is not being touched. In the first section, the
curriculum approval and review is only for the first three
years. There will be curriculum available, but no one must use
it. The bill provides a break for three years from having to
establish new curriculum.
CHAIR HUGHES summarized that it gives the department the ability
to approve the curriculum for five districts.
9:03:17 AM
MS. HUTCHISON corrected that since the five largest districts
and the two REAAs have curriculum that is already approved, the
department will approve it and make it available to everyone.
They will allow it to be used for three more years.
9:03:53 AM
SENATOR GIESSEL suggested to use "the board shall approve
curricula currently used by" on page 1, line 9.
CHAIR HUGHES thanked Senator Giessel.
SENATOR COGHILL moved to report SB 104, version J, from
committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal
note.
CHAIR HUGHES announced that without objection, SB 104 moved from
the Senate Education Standing Committee.
She commented that it would be FY19 or FY20 before the Education
Innovative Grant Fund would be available to districts. She asked
the sponsor to consider making something available sooner.
9:06:17 AM
At ease
SB 99-PRE-ELEMENTARY PROGRAMS/FUNDING
9:06:55 AM
CHAIR HUGHES announced the consideration of SB 99.
SENATOR TOM BEGICH, sponsor of SB 99, presented the bill. He
related the importance of quality early education. He stressed
the value of providing students the opportunity, before they
enter kindergarten, to prove school readiness. Research suggest
that students who have access to high quality preschool are less
likely to be incarcerated and less likely to receive government
assistance as adults.
He related that Alaska's current pre-Kindergarten programs -
such as those in Anchorage, Mat-Su, the Lower Kuskokwim School
District, and Nome, offer opportunities and quality program
which have been described to the education committees. Early
education programs including Head Start, Best Beginnings,
Parents as Teachers, the work of DEED, and grants, provide
access to high-quality early education, beginning with the
lowest performing districts.
He continued to say that high quality pre-K education can save
up to $7 in long-term government expense by reducing the need
for remedial education and involvement in the criminal justice
and public assistance systems.
9:09:36 AM
SENATOR BEGICH said smart investments in oil and gas royalties
and the PFD have made the state one of the most economically
equitable in the country. Similar smart investments in early
education have the potential to create a generation of Alaskans
prepared to make the greatest impact on this state that we have
ever seen. This is an example of the importance of research
first then investment, in the long run.
9:10:40 AM
SYDNEY KAUFMAN, Ph.D., Staff, Alaska State Legislature,
presented the sectional analysis of SB 99:
Section 1.
Establishes that elementary schools also includes an
early education program, whether operated within a
public school or by an outside organization.
Section 2.
Establishes that a four or five-year-old, who has not
attended kindergarten, is eligible to attend a public
school early education program.
Section 3.
Creates a stair-step, 3-year grant program to provide
training and assist a school district in developing an
early education program. In year one, the lowest
performing 20% of school districts (as established in
2017) will be eligible for a grant to establish a
district-wide, high quality early education program.
In year two, the next lowest performing 20 % of school
districts will be eligible for the three-year grant
program to establish an early education program. At
the end of the three-year grant cycle, the Department
of Education and Early Development (the department)
will be responsible for determining if the district's
early education program complies with state standards.
The grants will be available to the next lowest 20% of
school districts until all school districts are
offered the opportunity to participate included.
9:12:10 AM
Section 4.
Directs the department to supervise all early
education programs and approve those early education
programs created by the early education grant program.
Section 5.
Defines an "early education program" as a pre-
kindergarten school for students 3-5 years old if its
primary function is educational. The 3-year-old
students are not included in the program this bill
proposes, but are included to ensure they are not
excluded from existing State and Federal programs.
9:12:54 AM
SENATOR BEGICH noted it is conforming language so there is not
the unintended consequence of putting three-year-olds into an
elementary school program.
9:13:36 AM
MS. KAUFMAN continued:
Section 6.
Directs the board to adopt regulations regarding
funding as well as statewide and local goals for an
early education program. Regulations shall ensure that
early education programs have the flexibility to be
locally designed and culturally appropriate, so long
as they meet early education standards. An early
education program may be either full day (6 hour) or
half day (at least 2 hours)
Section 7.
For funding purposes, an early education student shall
be counted in the school district's average daily
membership as a half day student once the early
education program has been approved by the department.
Section 8.
Adds early education to consideration for determining
the number of elementary schools in a district.
9:14:40 AM
Section 9.
Ensures that early education students who currently
receive State or Federal funding for early education
are not included in the ADM for purposes of funding.
Section 10.
Directs early education program staff to be included
in those organizations required to report evidence of
child abuse.
Section 11.
Repeals the early education grant program in 10 years,
once all school districts have had the opportunity to
apply.
9:15:22 AM
SENATOR BEGICH clarified in Section 9, if a student is receiving
federal money now for early education, the student is not
included in the ADM for purposes of funding. The reason the
Early Education Grant Program will be repealed in ten years is
that every district in the state will have had the opportunity
to join a universal voluntary preschool. He noted Oklahoma has
the highest rate of voluntary early education. Alaska has done a
good job of building quality preschools. The long-term goal is
to create a sustainable, affordable, programmatic tiered
approach, splitting districts into five cohorts.
He said the department will address the fiscal notes.
CHAIR HUGHES mentioned those who could answer questions about
the bill.
9:17:33 AM
CHAIR HUGHES suggested that homes without parental support need
preschool more than those with support. She said the grant
targets low achieving students and inquired why it is available
to those who might not need the grant.
9:18:53 AM
SENATOR BEGICH explained that they started with the lower
achieving districts due to a constitutional obligation to do so.
Educational opportunity must be offered to all students in
Alaska, but it is a choice by parents to make use of them.
9:20:13 AM
CHAIR HUGHES asked if there is anything to prohibit a tribal
organization from offering pre-elementary programs.
SENATOR BEGICH said no. The bill encourages tribal participation
and is part of the reason for two sections in the bill. One
ensures the ability to collaborate with Head Start, and the
cultural component in the bill encourages participation by
tribes. The intent of the bill is to encourage continuing
partnerships with existing entities.
9:21:00 AM
SENATOR COGHILL thanked him for the thoughtful bill. He liked
the tiered process, but getting the money will be difficult. He
struggles with the fact that grade 1-3 students should be able
to read, and he was not sure the bill addresses that. He said
the system fails many students. He hoped the bill would address
this and supports the idea of reaching out to families.
9:23:06 AM
SENATOR BEGICH referred to a handout that shows research in
Alaska where pre-K has taken place; those kids go to school
ready to learn. He used the Lower Kuskokwim and Nome School
District as examples. Research shows that it is time to stop the
demonstration grant and ensure that pre-K is available to all
students. Those are the critical years for learning.
9:25:35 AM
SENATOR COGHILL said they have tried Parents as Teachers and
other methods to encourage parents to step up. He takes issue
when the state relieves families of their responsibilities. He
questioned where the funding will come from.
9:26:28 AM
SENATOR BEGICH addressed Senator Coghill's funding concern. He
hoped in the future "the way we do these resources and how we do
them will be identified."
9:26:57 AM
SENATOR STEVENS liked the bill. He did not know how rigor in
education fits into preschool. He spoke in favor of local design
and culturally appropriate needs in the bill, but he hoped there
was substance in the program. He asked how to know if the
program works and if the money is well spent.
9:27:45 AM
SENATOR BEGICH said they know because on page 7, the criteria
that are set out are the tested methodology that is used, such
as high-quality teachers, types of programming, and standards.
He said it is the Oklahoma standard that has been tested and
measured. The quality of Alaska experience would also apply to
this legislation. The department will write regulations using
their models of quality outcomes.
He noted the backup data shows dramatic increases in school
readiness because of this type of program. He said he would
provide a copy of it to the committee. It will be measured
against the standards of 9 years of experience and the
department will have jurisdiction over whether programs will
continue. After three years if the department deems a preschool
is not meeting quality standards, it will not be approved.
9:30:32 AM
CHAIR HUGHES invited Ms. Johnson to testify.
9:31:07 AM
MEGHAN JOHNSON, Director, Learn and Grow in THREAD, testified in
support of SB 99. She shared the goals of Learn and Grow. She
said she will address what high quality early childhood
education looks like. She implored the legislature to think
about children's futures.
9:32:34 AM
She said there are approximately 40,000 children under the age
of six in Alaska where both parents work and there is limited
access to affordable, quality programs. A lot of quality
practice has to do with what is appropriate for the development
of birth to age 5 children. Parents play the primary role in
supporting this development, but if they work, it falls to early
childhood teachers and programs.
She shared the most recent early care and learning economic
report by the McDowell Group. Early care and learning
contributes $2 billion to Alaska's economy each year. She listed
financial benefits of early childhood education.
She said there is a lack of affordable early childhood programs.
She noted that pre-K can be a high-quality choice for parents.
She described the soft skills children need.
9:35:07 AM
MS. JOHNSON described several factors affect children's
development and what is needed to support relationships with
other children. Teachers have specialized training and work in
partnership with parents in these areas. She said there are
decreased costs for special education and incarceration due to
early childhood education.
9:37:33 AM
She provided a story of a family that was not able to enter a
pre-K program and how their son struggled in school.
CHAIR HUGHES thanked Ms. Johnson and held SB 99 in committee.
9:40:33 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Hughes adjourned the Senate Education Standing Committee
meeting at 9:40 a.m.