03/19/2021 09:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB20 | |
| SB80 | |
| SB72 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 72 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 20 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 80 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 19, 2021
9:09 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Roger Holland, Chair
Senator Gary Stevens, Vice Chair
Senator Peter Micciche
Senator Tom Begich
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Shelley Hughes
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 20
"An Act relating to recognition of certificates of out-of-state
teachers."
- MOVED CSSB 20 (EDC) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 80
"An Act relating to mental health education."
- HEARD AND HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 72
"An Act relating to civics education, civics examinations, and
secondary school graduation requirements; and providing for an
effective date."
- HEARD AND HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 20
SHORT TITLE: OUT OF STATE TEACHER RECIPROCITY
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) STEVENS
01/22/21 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/21
01/22/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/21 (S) EDC, FIN
03/15/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
03/15/21 (S) Heard & Held
03/15/21 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
03/19/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 80
SHORT TITLE: PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) GRAY-JACKSON
02/12/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/12/21 (S) EDC, HSS, FIN
03/10/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
03/10/21 (S) Heard & Held
03/10/21 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
03/19/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 72
SHORT TITLE: SEC. SCHOOL CIVICS EDUCATION
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) STEVENS
02/05/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/05/21 (S) EDC, CRA
03/10/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
03/10/21 (S) Heard & Held
03/10/21 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
03/19/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
TIM LAMKIN, Staff
Senator Gary Stevens
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the committee substitute for SB
20.
CASSIDY FRANCIES, Policy Researcher
Education Commission of the States
Denver, Colorado
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave a national perspective on license
reciprocity.
TIFFANY MCDOLE, Senior Policy Analyst
Education Commission of the States
Denver, Colorado
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave a national perspective on license
reciprocity.
TAMMIE PERREAULT, Northwest Regional Liaison
Department of Defense, Military & Family Policy
Washington, D.C.
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 20.
NORM WOOTEN, Director of Advocacy
Association of Alaska School Boards
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 20.
THERESA OBERMEYER, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 20.
DAVID NEES, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 20.
DEENA BISHOP, Ph.D., Superintendent
Anchorage School District
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 20.
LISA PARADY, Ph.D., Executive Director
Alaska Council of School Administrators
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 20.
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, SB 80 sponsor
Alaska State Legislature
POSITION STATEMENT: Spoke to comments on SB 80.
JASON LESSARD, Executive Director
NAMI Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in favor of SB 80.
ZOE KAPLAN
Mental Health Advocacy Through Storytelling
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in favor of SB 80.
NATALIE FRASER
Mental Health Advocacy Through Storytelling
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in favor of SB 80.
NORM WOOTEN, Director of Advocacy
Association of Alaska School Boards
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 80.
LISA PARADY, Ph.D., Executive Director
Alaska Council of School Administrators
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 80.
KATIE BOTZ, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 80.
DEENA BISHOP, Ph.D., Superintendent
Anchorage School District
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 80.
TIM LAMKIN, Staff
Senator Gary Stevens
Alaska State Legislature
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the changes in the committee
substitute for SB 72.
TAMARA VAN WYHE, Director
Division of Innovation and Education Excellence
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave the department perspective on SB 72.
NORM WOOTEN, Director of Advocacy
Association of Alaska School Boards
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 72.
ACTION NARRATIVE
9:09:25 AM
CHAIR ROGER HOLLAND called the Senate Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 9:09 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Begich, Stevens, and Chair Holland. Senator
Micciche arrived during the course of the meeting.
SB 20-OUT OF STATE TEACHER RECIPROCITY
9:10:06 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 20
"An Act relating to recognition of certificates of out-of-state
teachers."
He asked for a motion to adopt the committee substitute (CS).
9:10:19 AM
SENATOR STEVENS moved to adopt the work draft committee
substitute (CS) for SB 20, work order 32-LS0202\B, as the
working document.
9:10:34 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND objected for purposes of discussion and asked Mr.
Lamkin to explain the changes.
9:10:46 AM
TIM LAMKIN, Staff, Senator Gary Stevens, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, stated the CS addresses concerns
that were brought up. He explained the following changes:
Change #1 The title, Page 1, Line 1, following "relating
to" Delete: "recognition of certificates of out-of-state
teachers." Insert: "teaching certificates for teachers
holding out-of-state certificates."
Change #2 (Version A) Section 2 (page 2 Lines 8-11)
Relating to a requirement for an out-of-state teacher to
have a baccalaureate degree, in version A this reference
was being repealed. Version B maintains the statute.
Change #3 Section 3, relating to the time period an out-of-
state teacher has to complete course trainings in Alaska
and multi- / cross-cultural studies, from three years to
two years.
Change #4 Version A, Section 5 (page 3, Line 1-11) Relating
to an exemption for out-of-state certificate holders from
having to hold a baccalaureate degree. This section was
deleted from Version B.
Change #5 In version B, a new section 5 (page 3, Lines 1-3)
was drafted, directing the department to adopt regulations
to assist in expediting the issuance of a certificate for
military spouses.
9:11:50 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND removed his objection. There being no further
objection, version B was before the committee.
SENATOR STEVENS said he appreciated the input of the committee
to make the bill stronger and better.
CHAIR HOLLAND called on Education Commission of the States (ECS)
to make their presentation
9:12:56 AM
CASSIDY FRANCIES, Policy Researcher, Education Commission of the
States, Denver, Colorado, introduced herself.
9:13:30 AM
TIFFANY MCDOLE, Senior Policy Analyst, Education Commission of
the States, Denver, Colorado, introduced herself.
MS. FRANCIES said that ECS is a nonadvocacy, nonpartisan
organization that provides policy support and independent
research to the states. Last year ECS looked at policies
regarding teacher license reciprocity across the 50 states. She
showed slide 2 of the presentation License Reciprocity: National
Landscape. Research shows that teachers are the most important
in-school factor impacting student achievement. As a result,
policymakers take great interest in recruiting and retaining
effective teachers.
MS. FRANCIES presented slide 3 and said many states struggle
with teacher shortages. Teacher shortages are often concentrated
to schools with specific characteristics and certain subject
areas. Teacher shortages are impacted by mismatched supply and
demand and state policies. Any policy related to teacher
licensure, retention and recruitment, and license reciprocity
will intersect with the issue of teacher shortages.
MS. FRANCIES presented slide 4 and said policymakers balance
policy priorities which seem to be in competition with each
other:
In setting licensure policy, policymakers balance several
priorities:
• Ensuring all teachers are equipped for the job
• Ensuring there are enough teachers to fill vacancies
• Ensuring that licensure requirements do not
unintentionally keep strong candidates out of the
classroom
MS. FRANCIES presented slide 5 on NASDTEC (National Association
of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification), an
interstate agreement among 47 states and D.C. NASDTEC
facilitates educator mobility between states by outlining
minimum requirements. A bachelor's degree is a minimum essential
component of an approved educator preparation program and
teacher licensure through the agreement. States can require
their own specific requirements
9:17:44 AM
SENATOR BEGICH clarified that unlike some other interstate
compacts, NASDTEC allows states to go beyond the compact.
MS. FRANCIES replied that is correct. NASDTEC only sets the
minimum requirements. States can add to that.
SENATOR BEGICH said that is good news.
MS. FRANCIES said ECS wanted to know how many states offer "full
license reciprocity," which allows fully licensed out-of-state
teachers, regardless of experience, to be immediately eligible
to receive a standard teaching license, subject to few or no
additional requirements. She showed a map on slide 7 that showed
eight states offer full license reciprocity. The other states
have additional requirements for out-of-state license seekers.
The most common additional requirements are additional courses
and assessment scores. Some states provide exemptions for some
candidates, often those with a certain number of years of
experience or advanced licensure.
SENATOR BEGICH asked if even if Alaska adopted the bill, it
would still be one of the gray states because the bill has
additional requirements and set time periods. A person can get
reciprocity, but maintaining it is contingent on completing
Alaska history and geography and those kinds of things, so that
would not be full license reciprocity.
MS. FRANCIES said she believes the bill would move Alaska to
full license reciprocity because it would allow teachers to
immediately receive a license, regardless of experience or other
considerations.
9:21:02 AM
MS. FRANCIES noted three barriers to transferring a license:
finding reliable information; cost, especially for military
spouses; and time to complete an application and processing
time.
MS. FRANCIES said the impact on teachers is that 41 percent of
teachers who left the profession but would consider returning
cited the ability to transfer their license out of state as a
consideration when deciding whether to return to the classroom,
according to a national survey. There may be teachers in states
who are qualified to teach but aren't because of difficulties or
concerns with transferring licenses. This has the potential to
exasperate the shortage.
MS. FRANCIES noted the resources ECS provided to the committee.
SENATOR BEGICH shared this his wife is a former certified
teacher from Virginia. This might benefit his family, so he is
putting that conflict on the record.
CHAIR HOLLAND invited Tammie Perreault to testify.
9:24:20 AM
TAMMIE PERREAULT, Northwest Regional Liaison, Department of
Defense, Military & Family Policy, Washington, D.C., said her
mission is to be a resource for state policy makers to address
quality of life issues for military families. The Department of
Defense (DOD) is in support of SB 20. The process for teachers
licensed in another state to become fully licensed in a new
state often requires extensive documentation, additional
testing, and coursework and may involve application processing
delays. This creates further barriers for military spouse
teachers to seamlessly continue on their career paths. SB 20
reduces these barriers. One of the key policies of SB 20 is that
the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development adopt
regulations which provide for expedited processing of
applications for license to teach in the state for military
spouses. This was a specific DOD request as military spouses are
best served by receiving their license to practice an occupation
within 30 days of when they make their application. Currently,
many states have implemented this policy.
9:26:09 AM
SENATOR MICCICHE joined the committee.
MS. PERREAULT said that teaching is the most prevalent
profession among licensed military spouses. The annual
percentage of military spouses who move across state lines is
14.5 percent compared to only 1.1 percent of the general
population. Additionally, 68 percent of married service members
reported that their spouse's ability to maintain a career
impacts their decision to stay in the military. This is why this
is so important to the DOD, and 88 percent of military spouses
reported wanting or needing to work. The DOD appreciates the
tremendous effort Alaska has made to support military families
and is thankful to Senator Stevens for introducing this
important legislation.
9:27:21 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND opened public testimony on SB 20.
9:27:35 AM
NORM WOOTEN, Director of Advocacy, Association of Alaska School
Boards, Juneau, Alaska, said that Alaska is experiencing a
crisis with the teacher shortage. This bill would alleviate some
of that. The bill maintains rigor and would attract teachers
from out of state and retains the multicultural courses required
in Alaska for a license.
9:28:53 AM
THERESA OBERMEYER, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, agreed
with the testimony and asked where Alaska would be without its
wonderful teachers. There is no group she supports more. She has
been a certified teacher since 1979. She added that she thinks
reciprocity should be extended to attorneys.
9:31:03 AM
DAVID NEES, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, said that he
is a retired teacher. SB 20 is an excellent bill. Senator Begich
asked an excellent question about reciprocity. One of the
barriers facing teachers from out of state is the multicultural
and Alaska Native requirement. When he worked for the Anchorage
School District, teachers from out of state usually would decide
in the second or third year whether they were staying or going.
Moving the deadline to two years will be more of a barrier than
the committee thinks it will be. Teachers have to adopt to a new
district while getting their lives focused. The bill would be
better if the courses did not have to be taken for two years.
That would be a minor change in the bill. Postponing the cost of
taking coursework that will not be used in another state would
be beneficial for recruiting teachers.
9:33:17 AM
DEENA BISHOP, Ph.D., Superintendent, Anchorage School District,
Anchorage, Alaska, said the Anchorage School District is in
favor of the flexibility and time allotted for educators to be
certified. She shared that seven percent of Anchorage School
District educators are military spouses, so the flexibility adds
value to recruitment. The Anchorage School District has many
immersion teachers who come from other countries. The bill
allows for that and ASD supports it. Someone's efficacy is by
example and previous jobs. It is beneficial to be able to hire
teachers and look at their past record of educating students.
SENATOR STEVENS asked, as a superintendent who hires more
teachers than anyone else in the state, if it is realistic to
require somebody to complete the Alaska history and
multicultural studies in two years.
DR. BISHOP replied, what the former speaker shared may have been
true in earlier times, but with online learning, it is not a
barrier at this time. Having an Alaska Native studies course in
another state is value added.
9:35:45 AM
LISA PARADY, Ph.D., Executive Director, Alaska Council of School
Administrators, Juneau, Alaska, said she and Senator Stevens
served on the governor's taskforce for teacher retention and
recruitment and had a dialogue about how important this would be
for Alaska. All are aware of the crisis of teacher shortage in
Alaska. The Alaska Council of School Administrators joint
position statement emphasizes that retaining effective educators
is essential to increasing student achievement and eliminating
academic disparities for all Alaskan students. SB 20 sits
squarely with its position statement that all members support.
Regarding the Alaska Native studies course, Alaska Staff
Development Network offers multiple opportunities for educators
to complete those studies, online, virtually, and in a webinar.
They are readily available to educators and can be completed
within that timeframe.
9:38:10 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND closed public testimony on SB 20 and asked the
will of the committee.
9:38:36 AM
SENATOR STEVENS moved to report the committee substitute (CS)
for SB 20, work order 32-LS0478\B, from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s).
There being no objection, CSSB 20(EDC) was reported from the
Senate Education Standing Committee.
9:38:59 AM
At ease
SB 80-PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
9:40:30 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 80 "An Act relating to mental
health education."
He noted that Senator Gray-Jackson had provided written
testimony to answer some questions from the committee.
9:40:50 AM
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, SB 80 sponsor, Alaska State
Legislature, thanked the chair for noting that she had responded
to the questions from the committee.
SENATOR BEGICH said he received a note with two suggestions from
the Suicide Prevention Council and Advisory Board on Alcoholism
and Drug Abuse, and the Alaska Mental Health Board. One
suggestion is that the language describing legislative intent
remove the named mental health organizations and instead use "in
consultation with the Department of Health and Social Services,
regional tribal health organizations, and representatives of
national and state mental health organizations." That intent is
to have a broad group without naming groups that may not always
be in existence. He asked if Senator Gray-Jackson is comfortable
with the suggestion.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON answered that it is a good suggestion.
SENATOR BEGICH said that some stakeholders were confused between
the words standards and guidelines. They suggested changing that
to "health guidelines for instruction in mental health" and
"shall be developed in consultation with the Department of
Health and Social Services, regional tribal health
organizations, and representatives of national and state mental
health organizations" to be consistent.
9:43:13 AM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON replied that is another excellent
suggestion.
9:43:22 AM
At ease
9:43:58 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND moved to invited testimony on SB 80.
9:44:11 AM
JASON LESSARD, Executive Director, NAMI Anchorage, Anchorage,
Alaska, said he is on the governing board of Alaska Psychiatric
Institute, the suicide prevention coalition, and the adult
advisor of MHAT, Mental Health Advocacy Through Storytelling.
Mental health is health. While it is a simple and obvious
statement, it is still a struggle to incorporate that concept
into school curriculum. NAMI chapters, state and nationally, are
advocating for these updates to school standards, curriculum,
and guidelines. There is a whole lot of data that he could share
that is relevant, but he will focus on two data points. The
first is that one in five U.S. adults experience a mental
illness. He asked the committee to think about how common that
is, many students come from families where a loved one has a
mental illness. This is not just about students' mental health.
It is about evidence-based curriculum to discuss and demystify a
set of illnesses that affect 20 percent of the population. That
is just diagnosed mental illness. The next data point is that 50
percent of all lifetime mental illness begin by the age of 14,
75 percent by age 24. This is largely happening in the teen
brain, and it is vital to talk to them about it. That is why
this type of legislation and hopefully these types of changes to
curriculum statewide are critical. Early intervention is
critical. Giving students a better understanding of mental
illness and wellness, the language to talk about it safely, and
the understanding of how and where to find resources for
themselves, their peers or family is crucial. They learn to
talk about the topic in in an educated, evidence-based,
proactive, and caring way.
9:46:53 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND opened public testimony on SB 80.
9:47:08 AM
ZOE KAPLAN, Mental Health Advocacy Through Storytelling,
Anchorage, Alaska, said she is a cofounder of Mental Health
Advocacy Through Storytelling and testifying on her own behalf.
This bill entered the house last year as HB 181 and was
postponed because of COVID. Unfortunately, that is an apt
metaphor for the state's approach to mental health. Alaska has
often negated mental health legislation for things considered
more important in the moment when the safety and well-being of
youth should be prioritized. In 2019, 38 percent of Alaska youth
surveyed had a depressive episode, 21 percent made a suicide
plan, and 19.7 percent attempted suicide. These statistics are
repeated over and over because they are staggering and awful.
This bill was important last year and even more important now.
Many of her peers before COVID did not consider themselves to
have a mental health condition. Once isolated they experienced
depressive symptoms for the first time in their lives. They
didn't know how to reach out for help because have not received
any education or information about it. It will not be resolved
on its own when students return to school. Alaska students have
had struggles with mental health well before COVID and will well
after. The most responsible and necessary thing to do for the
safety and well-being of Alaska youth is to set standards for
mental health education. Mental health affects one in five. That
is a staggeringly large number.
9:49:54 AM
NATALIE FRASER, Mental Health Advocacy Through Storytelling,
Anchorage, Alaska, said that she is a cofounder of Mental Health
Advocacy Through Storytelling and is representing herself. She
deals with a mental health condition. Growing up she did not
have knowledge about depression and other mental health
conditions and neither did her family. Despite meeting every
health curriculum requirement, no one had ever had formal
education about mental health. She believed, like many others,
that mental illness was something that other people had. She
continued to believe that until she made an attempt on her own
life in high school. The knowledge that saved her life didn't
come from her classes, family, or her peers. It came through the
dedicated efforts of the suicide prevention program run by a
West High math teacher. Mental health education works but is
rare and not institutionalized. She is in college and wants to
be a doctor. Her life is full of passions and joy, but all that
was almost lost because she was not taught how to stay healthy.
She gave testimony last year about the importance of mental
health. The pandemic has reaffirmed that need over and over.
Every day as a student, advocate, and friend, she sees how
health curriculum fails students. Thousands of students are
going through the same struggles she did, uneducated, and she is
concerned that many of their outcomes will not be as positive.
The Alaska state education system taught her to communicate
ideas clearly. It taught her how to be a thoughtful and
concerned citizen. She asks the education system to teach one
more thing: mental health is health and should be treated as
such.
9:52:53 AM
NORM WOOTEN, Director of Advocacy, Association of Alaska School
Boards, Juneau, Alaska, said that the association supports SB
80. Students' mental health is critical to their well-being and
creates better student academic achievement.
9:53:39 AM
LISA PARADY, Ph.D., Executive Director, Alaska Council of School
Administrators, Juneau, Alaska, said the Alaska Council of
School Administrators has a joint position statement on social,
emotional, and mental health. Alaska students endure high rates
of trauma and adverse childhood experiences. Alaska has the
highest rates of attempted teen suicide in the nation. The
Alaska Council of School Administrators urges the state to
provide funding and resources so schools can partner with local
communities to implement comprehensive, culturally-responsive,
school-based mental health programs to foster the health and
development of all students. The Alaska Council of School
Administrators supports targeted funding to help schools recruit
and retain and increase student access to school counselors,
social workers, psychologists, nurses, and mental health
specialists and to provide additional professional development
to all staff to meet the increasing and diverse needs of all
students. This type of legislation moves the state in the right
director to support students in an evidence-based way.
9:55:26 AM
KATIE BOTZ, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, said that the
social isolation during COVID has been traumatic, especially
when students have an unsafe home environment. She is a school
bus driver and noticed fewer students even wanting to speak up
about their issues during the pandemic because they are unaware
of how to speak up. They don't know that it is okay to share
that they are having a difficult time. She asked the committee
to support SB 80 because she is a constituent with a major
depressive disorder and suffered during the pandemic. It is
difficult to deal with depression and mental health, especially
with the stigma regarding mental health.
9:57:43 AM
DEENA BISHOP, Ph.D., Superintendent, Anchorage School District,
Anchorage, Alaska, said that now is the time more than ever to
help Alaskan students through mental health literacy. Her
district is implementing a program regarding social/emotional
learning, which involves teaching skills that students and
adults need to be successful not only in school but at home,
community, and the workplace. As a minor adjustment to the
language, which is in line with Mr. Lessard's testimony, what is
desired for students is mental health literacy. Literacy is the
degree to which an individual has the capacity to obtain,
communicate, process, and understand basic information and
services to make appropriate decisions. Mental health literacy
can be used to guide this work. This definition not only
includes the knowledge and beliefs about mental health, but also
the promotion of mental health and is in line with the World
Health Organization's definition of mental health. Through SB
80, the state can articulate that mental health literacy is a
priority for students' education and all students in schools
will have the opportunity to become mental health literate.
Anchorage School District supports SB 80.
10:00:11 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND closed public testimony and held SB 80 in
committee.
SB 72-SEC. SCHOOL CIVICS EDUCATION
10:01:01 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 72
"An Act relating to civics education, civics examinations, and
secondary school graduation requirements; and providing for an
effective date."
He asked for a motion to adopt the committee substitute (CS).
10:01:12 AM
SENATOR STEVENS moved to adopt the CS for SB 72, work order 32-
LS0478\B, as the working document.
10:01:26 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND objected for purposed of discussion and asked Mr.
Lamkin to explain the committee substitute.
10:01:38 AM
TIM LAMKIN, Staff, Senator Gary Stevens, Alaska State
Legislature, explained the changes in the committee substitute
for SB 72:
Change #1
The title, Page 1, Line 1
Delete: "examinations"
Insert: "assessments"
Change #2
Section 1, page 1 of Version A was largely struck and
rewritten. The reference to the U.S. Citizenship exam was
deleted and replaced in Version B to instead direct the
Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development
(SBOE) to develop curriculum for, and an assessment that
aligns with, existing Alaska education standards for
Government and Citizenship. The curriculum is to include
traditional American government as well as Alaska native
tribal government studies. School Districts are to
administer the state assessment to graduating seniors in
order to receive a diploma.
Change #3
Section 2, page 2 The reporting requirement was changed to
include a summary of what civics courses are offered at the
district level, disaggregated by district, as well as data
on student performance on the assessment established in
Section 1
MR. LAMKIN said that during the first hearing for the bill,
there was reference to insensitivity to high-stakes exams in
order to graduate. The bill was rewritten to strike reference to
the naturalization test currently administered to immigrants
wishing to have citizenship. The bill includes a test but not a
passing score. The burden is now shifted to the Department of
Education and Early Development (DEED), who will speak to this.
The department has resources to develop curriculum and
assessment that would be available free of charge to school
districts, which would report on student performance on the
assessment. The bill also wants to show sensitivity to Alaska's
unique cultures and Alaska Native tribal governance.
10:03:39 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND removed his objection. There being no further
objection, version B was before the committee.
SENATOR STEVENS said he appreciated the work of his aide in
working with DEED. DEED had excellent suggestions. Instead of
imposing a national test, DEED will create its own curriculum
and assessment. He is pleased to come to that position and
anxious to hear from the commissioner.
CHAIR HOLLAND called on Ms. Van Wyhe.
10:04:53 AM
TAMARA VAN WYHE, Director, Division of Innovation and Education
Excellence, Department of Education and Early Development
(DEED), Anchorage, Alaska, said the Department of Education and
Early Development (DEED) has reviewed the committee substitute
and is appreciative of the language revision. As DEED
Commissioner Johnson shared in his earlier comments to the
committee, civics education is tremendously important for
Alaskan students. That does not and will not change. The
department is in the process of updating its social standards
now and is assembling a group to work on that. The work of the
department required by the bill is doable and could occur in a
timely manner since the department is in the midst of the work.
The assembled group of educators will review the College Career
and Civic Life (C3) framework, which has a clearly defined focus
on civics. The fiscal note has not been updated. There is
language in the committee substitute about the development of an
assessment. There is cost involved with that. DEED is supportive
of the bill and appreciative of the efforts to highlight civics
as critical content for students. As Commissioner Johnson said
earlier, this bill is not a new coat of paint on the public
education system. It is a much needed effort to repair the
foundation.
SENATOR BEGICH shared that he received a note from Spike
Jorgensen, who was the Alaska Gateway superintendent. Mr.
Jorgenson comes back to the same point. The legislature could
keep working on things like this, and Senator Begich is a
cosponsor of the bill, but until the university and its teacher
program are in alignment with the things the legislature is
asking teachers to do, there will always be a gap. Senator
Begich and Senator Stevens have tried to focus on the
university's program to make sure it is meeting with the
department and doing the work it needs to do to ensure that
teachers trained at the university will meet those standards
that the department is setting. The legislature will pass a good
bill, but the state must find a way to ensure that the teachers
being educated in Alaska actually do and abide by and are taught
with the curriculum the legislature is asking them to teach when
they come to the state system.
10:08:47 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND opened public testimony on SB 72.
10:08:54 AM
NORM WOOTEN, Director of Advocacy, Association of Alaska School
Boards, Juneau, Alaska, said that the Association of Alaska
School Boards has a resolution in support of encouraging civics
education in school districts. It recognizes the importance of
civics. He was prepared to speak in opposition about another
high-stakes test. Instead he will express gratitude for removing
that portion from the bill in the committee substitute. He
thanked Senator Stevens for SB 72. Civics education is important
to create citizens. He stated support for the committee
substitute for SB 72.
10:10:36 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND closed public testimony and held SB 72 in
committee.
10:11:13 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Holland adjourned the Senate Education Standing Committee
meeting at 10:11 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 80 NASW Letter of Support.pdf |
SEDC 3/19/2021 9:00:00 AM |
SB 80 |
| SB 80 Fiscal Note.pdf |
SEDC 3/19/2021 9:00:00 AM |
SB 80 |
| SB020_versionB.pdf |
SEDC 3/19/2021 9:00:00 AM |
SB 20 |
| SB020_TeacherCert_Reciprocity_Presentation_ECS_19March2021.pdf |
SEDC 3/19/2021 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/29/2021 9:00:00 AM |
SB 20 |
| SB020_TeacherCert_Reciprocity_Research_ECS_policy resources_19March2021.pdf |
SEDC 3/19/2021 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/29/2021 9:00:00 AM |
SB 20 |
| SB80 Research.pdf |
SEDC 3/19/2021 9:00:00 AM |
SB 80 |
| SB072_Civics_BillText_versionB.pdf |
SEDC 3/19/2021 9:00:00 AM |
SB 72 |
| SB020_TeacherCert-Reciprocity_Summary-of-Changes_Version A to B.pdf |
SEDC 3/19/2021 9:00:00 AM |
SB 20 |
| SB072_Civics_Summary-of-Changes_Version A to B.pdf |
SEDC 3/19/2021 9:00:00 AM |
SB 72 |
| SB 80 ASD Mental Health and SEL Instruction.pdf |
SEDC 3/19/2021 9:00:00 AM |
SB 80 |