Legislature(2019 - 2020)BUTROVICH 205
01/24/2019 03:30 PM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation: Status of Alaska's K-12 Education System | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
January 24, 2019
3:29 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Gary Stevens, Chair
Senator Chris Birch
Senator Mia Costello
Senator Tom Begich
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Shelley Hughes, Vice Chair
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION: STATUS OF ALASKA'S K-12 EDUCATION SYSTEM
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
MICHAEL JOHNSON, Ph.D., Commissioner
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented on Alaska's K-12 Education System.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:29:49 PM
CHAIR GARY STEVENS called the Senate Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:29 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Begich, Costello, Birch, and Chair Stevens.
^Presentation: Status of Alaska's K-12 Education System
Presentation: Status of Alaska's K-12 Education System
3:30:38 PM
CHAIR STEVENS announced the presentation by Department of
Education and Early Development (DEED) Commissioner Michael
Johnson: Status of Alaska's K-12 Education System.
3:31:34 PM
MICHAEL JOHNSON, Ph.D., Commissioner, Department of Education
and Early Development (DEED), Juneau, Alaska, said he wanted to
update the committee on DEED's work over the interim. First he
congratulated Danielle Riha, the 2019 Alaska Teacher of the
Year, for being selected as one of four finalists for the 2019
National Teacher of the Year. She is a teacher at the Alaska
Native Cultural Charter School in Anchorage. The last time
Alaska had a finalist for National Teacher of the Year was 1995.
He noted that in 2018 Alaskan Sherry Shaw of Tanaina Elementary
School in Wasilla was named the National Education Association
Support Professional of the Year.
SENATOR BEGICH noted that Danielle Rhia's school is in his
district and he was present when she was given the award last
year in front of the students. He is thrilled about her being
chosen as a finalist.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON started by saying he wanted to describe
what happened in February 1956, a few days before Alaska's
constitutional convention ended. A delegate expressed his hope
of a pledge to Alaska's children.
3:35:29 PM
At ease for technical reasons
3:43:14 PM
CHAIR STEVENS reconvened the meeting.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON quoted the delegate asking for a committee
to draw up a pledge to Alaska's children to be placed in every
school room, a pledge that says they call upon the children for
their cooperation as they move to statehood, because they will
be the future citizens.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said the state constitution starts with,
"We the people of Alaska." This is relevant to discussing any
education policy, especially any ideas to reform the education
system. The constitution states in Article 7, Section 1, that
the legislature shall establish and maintain a system of public
schools open to all children of the state.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said that if they are to meet the
educational challenges in Alaska, it will start with "we the
people of Alaska." He noted that civics education and education
reform go hand in hand. If they want reform, they must have
civics education.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON noted that although they are 53 school
districts and Mt. Edgecumbe [High School], they are one state.
They must have clarity that they are one state system as called
for by the Alaska constitution, but they are also 53 locally
controlled school districts. When they talk about the education
system, "we the people" must do so in a way that supports
learning first and foremost by whatever means necessary. The
statewide mission and vision for education should make local
missions and visions more possible, not more difficult. That is
the reality of local control in statewide system.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said most of them had probably heard of
Alaska's Education Challenge, which they have been working on
for several year. He described it as just a question, an inquiry
for all Alaskans: How will we meet the educational challenges in
Alaska?
3:49:19 PM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said so many people want to rush by the
question, but they should let the question lead them. By posing
the question they do two things. One is state the truth. The
fact is they have challenges in their education system. And
secondly, they offer hope that they can meet those challenges.
Leaders tell the truth and offer hope. As commissioner, he
refuses to let this question go unasked.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said the mission from the State Board of
Education is an excellent education for every student every day.
That is their moral imperative for education in the state. The
mission statement is not just a logo. For far too long, Alaska
has performed too low compared to other states in the country.
Because it has been so long, they as leaders must recognize that
some may have become numb, passively accepting that some
students in the state aren't going to perform well academically.
This attitude impacts their conversations and most harmfully,
changes expectations for kids. They must state over and over
that they will not be satisfied until an excellent education and
educational options are available for every student in the
state.
3:51:38 PM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON asked what does an excellent education look
like. The legislature beautifully articulated this in AS
14.03.015. State Education Policy:
It is the policy of this state that the purpose of
education is to help ensure that all students will succeed
in their education and work, shape worthwhile and
satisfying lives for themselves, exemplify the best values
of society, and be effective in improving the character and
quality of the world about them.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said he wanted to review this statement
phrase by phrase to take the opportunity to be reminded of the
legislature's clarity in describing the purpose of education.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said that is the why, the answer to why
they invest over a billion dollars in the education system. The
system must be purposeful and centered on kids.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said there are three ways they are
answering the question of how to meet Alaska's education
challenge. The most important thing is that they are answering
the question together.
1. Public Commitments
2. Positive Trajectories
3. Prioritized Strategies
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said the public commitments is the "we the
people." They invite the public into this process and say to
them, "How are you going to increase student success? How are
you going to cultivate safety and well-being? How are we going
to support responsible and reflective learners so that their
learning does something?" As they start education reform, they
will remember that it starts with "we the people." Everyone has
to work together.
3:55:02 PM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON displayed a slide of the positive
trajectories:
• All students read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade
• Increase career, technical, and culturally relevant
education to meet student and workforce needs
• Close the achievement gap by ensuring equitable educational
rigor and resources
• Prepare, attract, and retain effective education
professionals
• Improve the safety & well-being of students through school
partnerships with families, communities and tribes
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said this is where work happens to make
this all a reality. He call them positive trajectories. He could
have used the term measurable goals, but trajectory implies an
upward path, continuous improvement year and after year. The
governor talked about third grade reading often on the campaign
trail. Multiple efforts around this are underway now. There is
broad consensus around this issue. A reading task force took
place last year. There have been bills on prekindergarten. The
common element in all proposals is some kind of screening. Most
districts are already doing this, as well as professional
development on reading instruction and aggressive intervention
if students are not reading proficiently by the end of third
grade. If students are not reading proficiently by the end of
third grade, everything for them after that becomes more
difficult and more expensive for the system.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said students who do not read proficiently
by the end of third grade are likely to drop out of school. Many
prisoners were not reading proficiently at the end of third
grade. There is a lot of data about the importance of reading
proficiently by the end of third grade. Alaska ranks at the
bottom of the country on the fourth grade National Assessment of
Educational Progress (NAEP) for reading. NAEP tests at fourth
and eighth grade, and Alaska is at the bottom for fourth grade
proficiency. This is a goal they cannot avoid. DEED will be
working with districts to guide the effort on third grade
reading proficiency.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said that the trajectory increase career,
technical, and culturally relevant pathways is important because
students who participate in two or more career and technical
education (CTE) courses or pathways graduate at 20 percent
higher rates than students who do not. They can increase the
graduation rate by involving students in these pathways. DEED is
offering two new pathways, or curriculum, to districts. One is
coding. Coding offers an opportunity for building and developing
an economy, including in rural Alaska. It can be part of efforts
for cultural preservation and communication by preserving
artifacts and creating apps around language. Coding is important
for national security. Another pathway is technical writing,
another need in the state. They will increase dual credit and
they want to increase apprenticeships.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said the leadership team at the Department
of Labor and of DEED met that day. They can have a great
partnership with that department. They are working with the
Alaska Council of School Administrators, which is leading the
effort with Code.org. That is just one of the career and
technical pathways that they can explore for students. They know
this will have an impact on graduation.
3:59:45 PM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON addressed the achievement gap trajectory by
noting that Alaska also has the largest achievement gap in the
country. The governor's directive addressing algebra proficiency
by ninth grade fits in here. Assessments, tribal compacting, and
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) work is all about closing the
achievement gap. Their new school designations and
accountability system are all about closing the achievement gap.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said the importance of the fourth
trajectory, prepare, attract, and retain effective education
professionals, is highlighted by problems with recruiting and
retention. The revocation of the accreditation of the University
of Alaska Anchorage [School of Education] is another indication
of how important this is.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said there are so many examples regarding
safety and well-being. DEED recently worked with other agencies
to produce a framework for trauma-engaged practice. If they want
every student to be reading proficiently by the end of third
grade, they have to address the issues of ACEs (Adverse
Childhood Experiences). More DEED announcements around this
topic will be coming. The governor expressed in his State of the
State Address that this is a priority for him in terms of public
safety.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said the third way to answer Alaska's
Education Challenge is through prioritized strategies. Kids are
not wave pools. They don't all crest the same way. They are
oceans. Schools and the educational system must reflect that
beauty and diversity. Not every strategy works the same way in
Alaska. Over the course of the session, superintendents and
principals will be sharing great ideas and the great things
happening in their districts to address these five priorities.
Some state school boards start every meeting around the Alaska
Education Challenge and how they are addressing these
priorities. Districts are forming partnerships around career and
technical education priorities. Districts are providing new and
innovative professional development about reading intervention.
Each district will prioritize strategies and they will figure
out how to support districts.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said that on last day of the Alaska
constitutional convention, the same delegate stood up and
proposed a charter for Alaska's children. He quoted, "We trust
you; you are our future. We ask you to take tomorrow and dream;
we know that you will see visions we do not se. We are certain
that in capturing today for you, you can plan and build."
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said, "Back in 1956, they were talking to
us. We were their future. We were the children they were talking
to." They chose to have a vision to pass on to them. They must
choose what to do with the vision. They have to ask whether they
would be proud of them. They trusted them. "Trust is a treasure.
And once lost it is hard to get back. If we decide to be less
clear and less articulate and less deliberate about our vision
now, it won't be any easier later, even if we do have a lot of
money someday. So are we trustworthy to articulate and lead a
vision for Alaska's children? I sure think so by the work we've
done this past year."
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON reflected on this quote posted at Pacific
High School in Sitka:
Even from long ago we cherish our grandchildren; no matter
what we value, we offer it up to them."
Sitka elder Chief Charlie Joseph
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said as a state, they value student
success, safety and well-being, purposeful and responsible
learning. They result in citizens with character who contribute
to the quality of the world about them. They will meet Alaska's
Education Challenge together. They cannot ignore their
responsibility. Essential to meeting the challenge is clarity
about the role of the Department of Education. Information is
fundamental to "we the people." First, DEED has a responsibility
to provide as much information as possible about schools and
educational options. Second, DEED is a hub of resources. That
includes connecting constituents to trainings, to contacts, and
other educational support agencies and associations. Third, they
must provide leadership by focusing all energy on the five
priorities.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON introduced DEED staff at the presentation:
new Deputy Commissioner Karen Melin, who worked in the
department in the past and in the Fairbanks School District;
Director of Educator and School Excellence Tammy Van Wyhe, who
was the Copper River School District superintendent; Chief of
Staff and Legislative Liaison Brittany Hartmann; and Director of
Administrative Services Heidi Teshner.
4:09:25 PM
CHAIR STEVENS said he liked the idea of the trajectories. The
issue of helping kids to learn to read by the end of third grade
is so crucial. He sat in on the task force this summer on
increasing the ability to read. He heard that there are lots of
ways to teach reading, but some of them are not effective as
others. He asked how they make sure that teachers teach reading
in the most effective way possible.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON replied that they know a lot about how
students learn to read. There are some key benchmarks they need
to hit. Deputy Commissioner Karen Melin, a reading expert, is
leading that effort. Professional development must be big part
of this effort. That will be an element of their work with the
University of Alaska teacher preparation program. There are more
effective ways of teaching and of intervention. Any effective
program has to be based on phonics.
CHAIR STEVENS said they must help teachers in the state do the
best job they can.
SENATOR BEGICH said he has noticed in DEED's own data something
to address all students reading proficiently by the end of third
grade and closing the achievement gap. When he looks at the
results of departmentally-approved pre-kindergarten programs at
Lower Kuskokwim, Nome, Mat-Su, and Anchorage School Districts,
those kids seem to enter school with more skills in reading and
continuing to show in third grade. He asked if that data is
correct.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON answered that he was not sure which data
Senator Begich was referring to. In general they can say that
some students benefit a great deal from opportunities to learn
before kindergarten. The Kindergarten Developmental Profile
shows students show up for kindergarten with a variety of
different skill levels and some don't have the skills they need.
Clearly some opportunities to learn those skills before
kindergarten are advantageous.
4:14:15 PM
SENATOR BEGICH said he is speaking about the data the department
has been collecting from the various experimental pre-k programs
for the last eight-to-ten years. The data provided by the
department is showing that where they have applied those
particular efforts, which are evidence-based and take culture
into account, they are seeing results. Those kids are doing
better than kids who haven't been exposed to that in the same
district. It is hopeful to him that there is a way to meet the
challenge. He asked if it is the intent of DEED continue with
those pre-kindergarten programs.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON replied that conversations around pre-k and
early learning are essential to get kids reading by third grade.
SENATOR BIRCH said that Commissioner Johnson talked about a
single state system, but 53 districts, which means 53
superintendents and 53 boards. He asked if this would be the way
he'd draw this organization, should it be more streamlined,
particularly when the state of Alaska is writing most of the
check, especially for rural communities. In South Anchorage his
constituents write big checks for property taxes for education.
He asked for Commissioner Johnson's perspective.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON replied that this is a regularly occurring
conversation. At a time when they are performing at the bottom,
every conversation is worth having. It is a complicated
conversation. In many of those districts, superintendents are
also the principal and business manager and special education
director. The superintendency does not look the same in every
district. If two districts are combined, that may require more
people to address all the roles. Ongoing conversations about
collaboration and sharing personnel is something the governor is
interested in, but some districts have been doing this. Lake and
Pen and Bristol Bay are doing collaboration around career and
technical development. Some districts work with SERRC [Alaska's
Educational Resource Center] to share business services. There's
a great foundation for the conversation to move forward. As
technology develops, as the state develops and the economy
changes, they will continue to discuss whether the current
structure of public education system still fits.
SENATOR BIRCH said the most important person in the education
realm is the classroom teacher. He's always interested and
intrigued about how many dollars filter to where the rubber hits
the road, in the classroom. As an engineer, he looks at those
metrics. There have been many discussions about distance
education and learning and breakthrough technologies.
Considering Alaska's vast geography, he would like Commissioner
Johnson's insights on the merits of distance education and what
role that could play.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON answered that he is big fan of distance
education. Technology is getting better. It gives students more
opportunities to have access to great teachers. He gave the
analogy of flying into Juneau. They fly and land in weather that
would have been illegal for a pilot to do so 20 years ago
because of technology. The technology did not replace the pilot,
but it did allow him to do things he couldn't have done before.
Educational technology will never replace great teachers but
allows them to do things they couldn't do 20 years ago. A
teacher can connect students in engaging learning opportunities.
Northwest Arctic, Copper River, and several other districts are
doing great things with this. In Northwest Arctic he met a
student who was participating in a collaborative activity with
students in other villages. Everyone needs access to good
broadband to make that happen. In 2019 students in Alaska can
have more access to a variety of courses with more quality than
they ever have before.
4:23:01 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO said that as a former classroom teacher and
parent of two boys in the Anchorage School District, she is
happy to be on the Education Committee. She wanted to focus on
reading by third grade. This is such a foundational milestone.
Alaska has been at the bottom of this list for a while. She
appreciates him talking about the good along with the
challenges. She asked whether there has ever been a discussion
about declaring an emergency regarding reading proficiency.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said he has had some of those conversations
periodically. When every other state ranks above Alaska, it is
an emergency for their students.
SENATOR COSTELLO said she wanted to touch upon his comments that
students see relevance in the real world, so they know why they
are being asked to learn, particularly in reference to coding.
She took two students to a hackathon in Seattle sponsored by the
U.S. Navy. The students were the youngest in the room. Young
people are underestimated and will often rise to a challenge.
She challenges DEED to find those opportunities. King Career
Center is an outstanding example. "Having worked with students
have dropped out of school, oftentimes they've dropped out
because we have failed them," she said. They are intelligent and
ready to learn. Often they are in classrooms with 40 other kids.
They are not challenged. She has seen that hands-on learning
will engage students like nothing else can. There are pockets of
that across the state. She has looked at involving school-
business partners in more relevant relationships. She asked how
they move from classrooms of books and paper/pencil tests to a
classroom of the world where students can be participants in
solving problems.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON responded that there is no place like
Alaska to provide hands-on opportunities to apply the academics
they are learning in school. Today a team of people from the
Department of Labor and DEED met to develop a plan to provide
coding opportunities. Code.org, which is promoting computer
science standards and coding opportunities for all students, is
partners with the Alaska Council of School Administrators. His
vision is that coding is economic opportunity for students who
want to remain in rural Alaska.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said many tribal organizations are focused
on apps for language preservation. Coding can be part of
recording elders speaking and documenting artifacts. Coding is
also a huge issue for national security. Alaska has a military
presence, and cargo from other countries comes through Alaska.
Coding should be big part of future efforts and is high on the
list of the governor's priorities.
4:30:11 PM
CHAIR STEVENS asked about health and well-being.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said they did host a safety summit in
Anchorage. Also, four or five years ago the legislature
appropriated $22 million for school safety. They did a gap
analysis to determine where they are today in terms of school
safety. That will be coming out in next few weeks. Transforming
Schools: A Framework for Trauma-Engaged Practice is a result of
partnerships with a whole host of organizations, led by a grant
from the Association of Alaska School Boards. The framework
addresses how schools can handle well-being issues and threats
students face. DEED will have more information in coming weeks
about specific efforts and strategies to address those issues.
SENATOR BEGICH said that he will continue to work to support
DEED so that it can fulfill the constitutional obligation
Commissioner Johnson described at the beginning of his
presentation. Those 60 words in Article 7, Section 1, matter.
They get to the heart of what Commissioner Johnson's job is.
DEED support for the 53 districts is the essential component of
that mission. In the past they have teetered close to not being
able to provide that support. Senator Begich said he is looking
forward to seeing the governor's budget and seeing that it meets
the requirement of that constitutional support.
4:34:45 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Stevens adjourned the Senate Education Standing Committee
at 4:34 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SEDC_Hearing_24Jan2019_DEED_Overview_AK_Ed_Challenge.pdf |
SEDC 1/24/2019 3:30:00 PM |
Department of Education & Early Development - Overview - 24Jan2019 |