Legislature(2019 - 2020)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/06/2020 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB30 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 139 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 30 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 234 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 6, 2020
9:49 a.m.
9:49:33 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair von Imhof called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 9:49 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Natasha von Imhof, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Lyman Hoffman
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Bill Wielechowski
Senator David Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Senator Gary Stevens, Sponsor; Tim Lamkin, Staff, Senator
Gary Stevens; Senator Cathy Giessel.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Paul Layer, Vice President, Academics, Students and
Research, University of Alaska, Fairbanks; Scott Macmanus,
Alaska Gateway School District, Tok; Karen Gaborik,
Superintendent, Fairbanks School District, Fairbanks; Shawn
Arnold, Alaska Superintendents Association, Valdez; Monica
Goyette, Superintendent, Mat-Su Borough School District,
Mat-Su; Darrel Bowers, Director, Idea Homeschool Program,
Galena.
SUMMARY
SB 30 COLLEGE CREDIT FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
SB 30 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
CSHB 234(FIN)
APPROP:SUPP; REAPPROP; CAP; AMEND; CBR
CSHB 234(FIN) was SCHEDULED but not HEARD.
9:50:19 AM
Senator Olson acknowledged the Co-Chair Stedman's birthday.
Co-Chair Stedman joked that he was still under 30-years-
old.
Senator Olson made a joke about wine turning to vinegar
with age.
SENATE BILL NO. 30
"An Act establishing the middle college program for
public school students; and relating to the powers of
the University of Alaska."
9:51:47 AM
SENATOR GARY STEVENS, SPONSOR, explained the legislation.
He stated that the effort was to establish a state-
sanctioned collaboration between secondary and post-
secondary schools, and encourage students to complete their
formal education. He stated that there was data to support
the effort. He remarked that the merits of the program were
not in dispute, and most people could agree on the
program's success in helping students complete high school
and begin higher education. He pointed out that the program
also helped to avoid remediation when students begin
college. He stated that there were many models that could
be used, and the challenge was to find a program
appropriate for Alaska. He remarked that there would be a
committee substitute that would put the onus on the
University of Alaska, rather than the school districts. He
wished his children had access to a similar program when
they were attending college. He shared that his oldest
daughter attended a college that was currently $50,000 per
year, although it was not that cost when she attended the
school. He stated that the program allowed students to
graduate from high school with one or two years of college
credits. He was grateful for the opportunity to enact the
program.
Co-Chair von Imhof remarked that she had served on the
school board and visited the middle college in Eagle River,
and felt that it was a tremendous program. She shared that
the students were able to become excited about going to
college.
Senator Stevens agreed that it was a success in many larger
districts in the state, and the bill would allow for the
University to administer the program, giving access to
smaller and rural schools.
9:55:31 AM
Senator Olson remarked that there was an issue about the
awkwardness related to social development for the younger
graduates.
Senator Stevens replied that high school students would
often take college courses with adults. He felt that they
prepared students did not have a problem working with
adults.
Co-Chair von Imhof wondered whether the middle college
students were integrated or separate from other college
students.
Senator Stevens replied that the program could be either,
depending on various factors.
Senator Bishop wondered whether the bill could apply to
those students who wanted to pursue a two-year certificate.
Senator Stevens replied in the affirmative.
9:58:55 AM
TIM LAMKIN, STAFF, SENATOR GARY STEVENS, explained the
bill. He explained that the bill was responsive to the data
that showed participants in middle college and dual-credit
programs substantially improved student success in high
school graduation rates and college entrance.
Co-Chair von Imhof queried the difference in the
forthcoming committee substitute.
Mr. Lamkin replied that the main difference was that the
onus would be put on the University, because there was a
concern about who would take the lead in administering the
program.
Co-Chair von Imhof wondered whether it was a mandatory
program.
Mr. Lamkin looked at page 2 of the bill, which read that
"each school district shall enter into an agreement with
the University." He stated that the committee substitute
would say that the University shall enter into an
agreement. He remarked that the extent of the school
districts participation would vary widely.
Co-Chair von Imhof wondered what would happen should a
school district decline participation.
Mr. Lamkin replied that the agreement would show that there
was no interest or no eligible students in that district.
Co-Chair von Imhof wondered whether the University or
school district would be required to carry further.
Mr. Lamkin replied that the intent of the bill was to
provide the flexibility.
Senator Gary Stevens furthered that the University was
supportive of the bill because the intent was to increase
enrollment in the University.
10:04:47 AM
Co-Chair von Imhof wondered whether the Base Student
Allocation (BSA) followed the student and stayed with the
district, or would it go to the University to help pay for
the classes.
Mr. Lamkin replied that it would vary. He deferred to the
University to speak to the specifics.
Senator Wielechowski wondered whether the credits could be
transferrable to colleges outside of the University of
Alaska system.
Mr. Lamkin replied that currently it was intended for
credits to apply only to the University of Alaska. He
deferred to the University for more information.
Co-Chair von Imhof felt that it depended on the university.
Senator Stevens explained that there was no control over
outside universities, but felt that the University of
Alaska had solid academic standards based on their
accreditation.
Senator Bishop recalled that, approximately 14 years prior,
there were conversations about the poor graduation rates
for high school. He felt that the bill would help to
increase those graduation rates.
10:08:18 AM
PAUL LAYER, VICE PRESIDENT, ACADEMICS, STUDENTS AND
RESEARCH, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA, FAIRBANKS (via
teleconference), replied to some of the questions from the
committee.
Senator Wielechowski wondered whether the program was
available to students outside the public school system.
Mr. Layer replied that some of the districts were
homeschool districts. He furthered that the bill did not
currently provide for some of the private schools.
Co-Chair von Imhof OPENED public testimony.
10:14:42 AM
SCOTT MACMANUS, ALASKA GATEWAY SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOK (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the legislation.
10:17:35 AM
KAREN GABORIK, SUPERINTENDENT, FAIRBANKS SCHOOL DISTRICT,
FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), echoed the comments of Mr.
Layer.
10:22:04 AM
SHAWN ARNOLD, ALASKA SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION, VALDEZ
(via teleconference), spoke in support of the bill.
10:24:49 AM
MONICA GOYETTE, SUPERINTENDENT, MAT-SU BOROUGH SCHOOL
DISTRICT, MAT-SU (via teleconference), spoke in support of
the legislation.
10:28:04 AM
DARREL BOWERS, DIRECTOR, IDEA HOMESCHOOL PROGRAM, GALENA
(via teleconference), felt that the cost of homeschool to
the state would not cover the cost of the program. He
recommended that the juniors and seniors in homeschool be
funded at 100 percent of the BSA to make up for some of the
discrepancy in the allotment.
Co-Chair von Imhof CLOSED public testimony.
Co-Chair von Imhof discussed the following meeting's
agenda.
SB 30 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
10:30:01 AM
The meeting was adjourned at 10:29 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB030_MiddleColleges_Presentation_ACPE_29Jan2019.pdf |
SEDC 1/29/2019 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/6/2020 9:00:00 AM |
SB 30 |
| SB030_MiddleColleges_Presentation_MatSuSD_29Jan2019.pdf |
SEDC 1/29/2019 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/6/2020 9:00:00 AM |
SB 30 |
| SB030_MiddleColleges_Research_DualEnroll NCSL March 2008.pdf |
SEDC 1/29/2019 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/6/2020 9:00:00 AM |
SB 30 |
| SB030_MiddleColleges_Research_OregonRunningStart_Feb2016.pdf |
SEDC 1/29/2019 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/6/2020 9:00:00 AM |
SB 30 |
| SB030_MiddleColleges_Research_SeattleTimes_March2018.pdf |
SEDC 1/29/2019 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/6/2020 9:00:00 AM |
SB 30 |
| SB030_MiddleColleges_SponsorStatement_29Jan2019.pdf |
SEDC 1/29/2019 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/6/2020 9:00:00 AM |
SB 30 |
| SB030_MiddleColleges_Explanation of Changes From Version U to K _22March2019.pdf |
SFIN 3/6/2020 9:00:00 AM |
SB 30 |
| SB030_MiddleColleges_Sectional_VersionK.pdf |
SFIN 3/6/2020 9:00:00 AM |
SB 30 |