ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE  February 26, 2014 8:00 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Gary Stevens, Chair Senator Mike Dunleavy, Vice Chair Senator Bert Stedman Senator Charlie Huggins Senator Berta Gardner MEMBERS ABSENT  All members present COMMITTEE CALENDAR  SENATE BILL NO. 139 "An Act increasing the base student allocation used in the formula for state funding of public education; repealing the secondary student competency examination and related requirements; relating to high school course credit earned through assessment; relating to a college and career readiness assessment for secondary students; relating to charter school application appeals and program budgets; relating to residential school applications; increasing the stipend for boarding school students; extending unemployment contributions for the Alaska technical and vocational education program; relating to earning high school credit for completion of vocational education courses offered by institutions receiving technical and vocational education program funding; relating to education tax credits; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date." - HEARD & HELD SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12 Proclaiming February to be Public Education Month. - SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  BILL: SB 139 SHORT TITLE: EDUCATION: FUNDING/TAX CREDITS/PROGRAMS SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR 01/24/14 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 01/24/14 (S) EDC, FIN 02/03/14 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106 02/03/14 (S) Heard & Held 02/03/14 (S) MINUTE(EDC) 02/10/14 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg) 02/10/14 (S) Heard & Held 02/10/14 (S) MINUTE(EDC) 02/24/14 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg) 02/24/14 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED -- 02/26/14 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg) WITNESS REGISTER DIANE BLUMER, Commissioner Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOL) Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information related to the Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) component of SB 139. WANETTA AYERS, Director Division of Business Partnerships Department of Labor and Workforce Development Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information related to the Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) component of SB 139. MICHAEL HANLEY, Commissioner Department of Education Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information related to the Technical Vocation Educational Program (TVEP) component of SB 139. FRED VILLA, Associate Vice President University of Alaska System - Statewide (UA) Fairbanks, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information related to the Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) component of SB 139. JOHN PUGH, Chancellor University of Alaska - Southeast (UAS) Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information related to the Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) component of SB 139. RICK CAULFIELD, Provost University of Alaska - Southeast (UAS) Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information related to the Technical Vocation Educational Program (TVEP) component of SB 139. CHRIS REITAN, Superintendent Galena City School District Galena, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information about Technical Vocation Educational Program (TVEP) fund recipients. CHERYL EDENSHAW, Director Alaska (Kotzebue) Technical Center Kotzebue, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information about Technical Vocation Educational Program (TVEP) fund recipients. FRED ESPOSITO, Director Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTC) Seward, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information about Technical Vocation Educational Program (TVEP) fund recipients. DOUG WALRATH, Director Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center (NACTEC) Nome, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information about Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) fund recipients. KURT KUHNE, Executive Director Yuut Elitnaurviat, Inc. People's Learning Center Bethel, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information about Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) fund recipients. STEVEN ANGASAN, Instructor Southwest Alaska Vocation and Education Center (SAVEC) King Salmon and Naknek, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information about Technical Vocation Education Program (TVEP) fund recipients. KAREN CEDZO, Development and Coordination Partners for Progress in Delta, Inc. Delta Career Advancement Center (DCAC) Delta, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information about Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) fund recipients. CARMEN FRANCHINO, Director of Operations Amundsen Educational Center Soldotna, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information about Technical Vocation Education Program (TVEP) fund recipients. JUDI WALGENBACH, Program Director Amundsen Educational Center Soldotna, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information about Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) fund recipients. CHARLENE ARNESON, President Chugach School Board Chugach, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information about Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) fund recipients. STEVE BRADSHAW, Superintendent Sitka School District Sitka, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information about Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) fund recipients. CHARLES EDWARDSON, Workforce Development Director Southern Southeast Alaska Technical Education Center Ketchikan, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information about Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) fund recipients. ACTION NARRATIVE 8:00:07 AM CHAIR GARY STEVENS called the Senate Education Standing Committee meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Present at the call to order were Senators Gardner, Stedman, Huggins, Dunleavy, and Chair Stevens. SB 139-EDUCATION: FUNDING/TAX CREDITS/PROGRAMS  8:00:32 AM CHAIR STEVENS announced that the only order of business would be SB 139, specifically Section 17. He said the bill would be set aside after invited testimony. He added that SCR 12 would not be heard today. 8:01:56 AM DIANE BLUMER, Commissioner, Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOL), Juneau, Alaska, provided information related to the Technical Vocation Educational Program (TVEP) component of SB 139. She said that DOL has long recognized that college is not the only avenue and many jobs do not require a four-year degree. She stated that the bill will reauthorize the TVEP until 2024 and it will expand dual credit options. She explained that there are two new components in the Governor's bill; one is the extension and the other is an addition to current language performance matrixes that are set out for the TVEP recipient. A new addition allows for dual credits and another reduces the funding amount by 20 percent if the recipient is not meeting performance measures. 8:04:56 AM CHAIR STEVENS asked how satisfied Commissioner Blumer is with the current program as far as how the money is being spent and the performance of the various agencies. COMMISSIONER BLUMER stated that the department believes in regional training centers. It recognizes that there are many programs that do a fantastic job. It is time critical to train youth for the job market and for future large projects. The department recognizes that there are a few areas where the performance measures can be enhanced. She noted that the department is working with the Governor's office to strengthening those areas in the regulation process. She concluded that she is comfortable with the program. CHAIR STEVENS voiced concerns about non-performing entities. He requested more information about re-directing funds if an agency is not performing and how that is determined. 8:06:35 AM COMMISSIONER BLUMER explained that currently the department is not allowed to redirect funds because the program is formula funded. The department has the obligation to collect the data, but currently has no recourse regarding funding. The bill provides that DOL can reduce the grant by 20 percent for the following year. CHAIR STEVENS asked what the performance marks are. COMMISSIONER BLUMER deferred to Wanetta Ayers to answer. She said it is not always easy to collect the data. CHAIR STEVENS asked Ms. Ayers to respond. 8:08:07 AM WANETTA AYERS, Director, Division of Business Partnerships, Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Juneau, Alaska, provided information related to the Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) component of SB 139. She began by describing how the division works to collect data related to other funds than TVEP where they currently have more authority. For example, in the State Training and Employment Program (STEP) a grantee is required to enter the individual record of a trainee, including their name, address, and social security number, which is not reported on an individual basis but aggregated for that particular grantee and for the fund as a whole. She said there is not the same flexibility under TVEP for several reasons. First, a number of the grantees are affiliated with school districts and have Family Educational Rights Privacy Act requirements. In order to work around that legal restriction, those grantees can report as groups for the purpose of funding. However, it prevents DOL from finding some of the long-term outcome information, such as whether the students are employed a year after their exit from the training, their wages, and if they are employed in an occupation related to their training. She pointed out that SB 139 will provide recourse. Currently, there is no recourse if the grantee cannot provide the information. The department can work with the student participation information TVEP reports to the budgeting process and to group reporting and quarterly reports. It is an inconsistent picture that lacks outcome information. CHAIR STEVENS asked how much it costs per student and how many people get jobs. He questioned if that information can be sought from every agency and group. MS. AYERS replied not as it is currently structured. 8:12:06 AM SENATOR DUNLEAVY asked for language that would accomplish that request. MS. AYERS said it would be a simple process by adding one additional point under AS 23.15.835(e); adding item (8) to give broader responsibility of the department to collect individual records and information from the recipient to make it a requirement of receiving the funding. It puts it back on the institutions to resolve the legal privacy issues. She added that DOL, through the Division of Business Partnerships and the Research Analysis Section, deal with a large volume of personally identifiable information in the training processes received from other grant recipients. She maintained that DOL can resolve the privacy issues through a variety of means, but first it must have the authority to do so. SENATOR DUNLEAVY commented that personal information does not need to be used. He gave an example of a training institution with 1,000 students and the appearance may be misleading as to how many hours the students spend in a program and the actual number may be very small. He would like to match funding with specific outcomes. He requested to know what is needed to collect necessary data. MS. AYERS agreed to provide that information. 8:14:50 AM CHAIR STEVENS reiterated his two questions: how much does it costs per student and how many have jobs. He pointed out that the answers do not require personal information. He stressed the need to be accountable for money spent. He also asked where the 20 percent goes after it is taken away from underperforming organizations. He inquired if DOL has the ability to reallocate it. MS. AYERS noted that a policy would be developed to address redistributing funds to the other recipients. CHAIR STEVENS asked if the bill allows that. MS. AYERS said it is an internal policy and not needed in statute. The department issues advisories to the grantees that are posted on the web site so that they will understand what the process will be. 8:16:04 AM SENATOR DUNLEAVY asked what is needed to ensure the money matches the training data. MS. AYERS said that is the direction the department wants to go. She noted the department would like more information about each course that is offered, the credentials that are attained, the number of student hours of student instruction, and employment and wage outcomes for the individual, but reported on an institutional basis. CHAIR STEVENS commented that workforce development is becoming more crucial to the state and nationwide. 8:17:43 AM MICHAEL HANLEY, Commissioner, Department of Education, Juneau, Alaska, provided information related to the Technical Vocation Educational Program (TVEP) component of SB 139. He said that TVEP is a partnership between the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOL). He said that the accountability component requires an articulation agreement that if the entities receive the funds, they are offering dual credit opportunities for students. It enhances a student's high school career as well as career or university training. He concurred with DOL's comments. SENATOR DUNLEAVY commented that some of the programs are more independent of a school district than others. The lines are blurred between K-12 and post-secondary training. He asked how the departments can delineate those areas and trace where the money is going. COMMISSIONER HANLEY said he likes the fact that the lines are blurred. Graduation is only a mark in time toward progress, but not an end zone. The monitoring of the students falls to the DOL. He offered to work with DOL on the delineation of data for future decisions. 8:20:38 AM FRED VILLA, Associate Vice President, University of Alaska System - Statewide (UA), Fairbanks, Alaska, provided information related to the Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) component of SB 139. He explained that UA allocates the TVEP program from a consolidated distribution from the state. The 45 percent goes to UA and an additional 5 percent goes to the University of Alaska - Southeast (UAS). It is managed as a single allocation to initiate and enhance high priority workforce development programs. The funding has to meet certain criteria that align with the state, but include high demand and regional workforce needs, increased access, flexibility of training, improve persistence of educational processes, and has collaboration across the state. It is looking at high demand job areas that provide economic development opportunities for regions, but also career pathways that allow students to transition from secondary schools, military, and other walks of life, into training programs that can get them jobs. The investments are across the university system and use a competitive grant process within UA to meet regional needs, as well as state needs. He noted that he has provided written testimony. 8:23:30 AM SENATOR STEDMAN asked about UA's methodology for allocating funds to the Southeast Region. He requested suggestions as to how to allocate TVEP funds around the state to areas where there is performance, and how to deal with new incumbents with superior performance compared to current participants. MR. VILLA responded that performance should reflect the center's ability to provide programs to meet the need of employers. The economic model that each TVEP recipient or center uses should represent the level of funding and accountability measures for each center so it can be assessed for the service it provides both regionally and to the state. The UA system has reporting requirements in the grant process that include the number of students served by TVEP funds, whether there are external or internal licensures or certifications and if they are awarded. It also asks for information regarding outcomes, distribution, and priorities based on the workforce investment board's priority industries, and career pathways for transitions for students from secondary to post-secondary. SENATOR STEDMAN asked about how new entrants are handled at UA and for purposes of the bill. 8:26:38 AM MR. VILLA related that part of the investment UA has had, has been done when there is a regional training center that has partnered with UA and has sought TVEP funding to get their program going. He gave an example where UA partnered with area residents and the high school to support the development of the Delta Career Advancement Center, who made a presentation to legislature and now receives TVEP funding. The challenge is to define what the purpose is and whether the center has a regional and statewide mission, and assess accountability prior to state investment. Performance criteria are critical to making that decision. He shared enrollment costs of $560 per student, across 58 grants, in the UA system. He said UA is working with DOL to track graduates of the programs. One of the fallacies about graduates is if they complete a program and go to work, but don't go into the program of study, they do not count as being employed by the industry. He gave an example. 8:30:21 AM CHAIR STEVENS noted the importance of "getting a job equals success." He asked about the 58 different grants and how many regional training centers there are. MR. VILLA explained that the UA system has accredited three universities, one accredited community college, and thirteen community campuses, plus a number of small community-based centers. There are 58 grants within 23 schools that have been funded. One site may have a variety of programs and be a recipient of several grants. 8:32:46 AM SENATOR DUNLEAVY asked if there is much duplication of programs in the various training centers. MR. VILLA said there is some unnecessary duplication and some necessary duplication. For example, there are welding programs across the state due to economic opportunities and jobs. Regional training centers, in partnership with university programs, leveraged resources and faculty in order to move the programs around the state where they were needed. 8:35:18 AM SENATOR GARDNER said at UAS, 50 out of 60 participants are in business administration. She did not think of that major as a vocational area. MR. VILLA deferred to Provost Caulfield to answer. CHAIR STEVENS thanked Mr. Villa for his years of service to the university. 8:36:25 AM JOHN PUGH, Chancellor, University of Alaska - Southeast, Juneau, Alaska, provided information related to the Technical Vocation Education Program (TVEP) component of SB 139. He introduced himself. RICK CAULFIELD, Provost, University of Alaska - Southeast (UAS), Juneau, Alaska, provided information related to the Technical Vocation Education Program (TVEP) component of SB 139. He addressed Senator Gardner's question. He noted that tourism development is a key part of the economy in Southeast Alaska and UAS offers a full array of programs. Workforce development is offered at the non-credit level and at the one-year level. Career pathways are offered at the associate degree level and baccalaureate level. Career pathways include technician-level positions and TVEP funding. SENATOR GARDNER asked if some business administration classes are not TVEP funded. MR. CAULFIELD said yes. SENATOR GARDNER asked if TVEP-funded classes are unique. MR. CAULFIELD said the courses offered in business administration are part of a career pathway that extends down into high school. There are avenues where students can begin to earn university credits at the high school level and then come into certificate, associate degree, and baccalaureate programs. The TVEP funding goes to outreach for students to be able to get into the career pathways, and university funding is provided for the degree programs. 8:38:56 AM CHANCELLOR PUGH added that the TVEP grant was needed for an outreach coordinator that worked with industry in order to expand the number of students in the associate program because of the need for accounting technicians across the state. SENATOR STEVENS asked for general comments about TVEP. CHANCELLOR PUGH provided the history of the need for the bill. A number of years ago, UAS did not receive its fair share of TVEP funding, so Senator Elton amended the bill to include UAS, which would receive 5 percent of the funding. Chancellor Pugh pointed out that in the last few years UAS has received between 10 percent and 13 percent of the funding. He maintained that the grant process is the best process to compete for funding. He said he views all three of the UA campuses as regional training centers. He noted that the campuses focus on local and regional needs. He said that TVEP funding has worked in many ways to pilot programs. A center receives a grant for three years and then it must "prove up" and provide its own funding. He opined that TVEP has been a very good program for the university and has enabled it to start new programs. 8:42:42 AM CHAIR STEVENS noted that the awarding of 45 percent of TVEP funding to UA and 5 percent to UAS is not an important distinction because of the grant application process. CHANCELLOR PUGH agreed that the 5 percent is not necessary due to the competitive process. 8:43:39 AM MR. CAULFIELD commented that TVEP funding allows UA to be responsive to needs that arise, such as in Ketchikan where TVEP funding has been used in the past year to develop an new, non- credit maritime and multi-skilled worker program in collaboration with the shipyard and the Native community. It shows the importance of TVEP funding to be responsive to industry needs. SENATOR STEDMAN agreed that the 5 percent allocation is unnecessary. He voiced concern about funding outside of the 50 percent that goes to the university and suggested it be treated the same way with performance measures in order to weed out underperformers. CHAIR STEVENS said it was a good point. 8:45:48 AM SENATOR HUGGINS asked about differences in training demand and jobs in Southeast Alaska. CHANCELLOR PUGH said maritime programs, such as shipping and fishing, are unique to the area. There are 8,000 employees in the fishing industry in Southeast Alaska. There is a new fisheries tech program which will be distance delivered soon. Also, mining jobs are very important in the region. UAS has a mining training center. The health care program in Sitka was the first campus to do a health information management program and coding specialist program. Those programs address statewide needs. 8:48:28 AM SENATOR HUGGINS noted there is a Job Corps site in Palmer. He asked if there is a similar program in SE Alaska. CHANCELLOR PUGH said there is not. The Ketchikan Indian Corporation has a job center and there are two centers in Sitka. 8:49:26 AM SENATOR STEDMAN commented that the Alaska Ship and Dry Dock, owned by Vigor Alaska, is integrating with the university for job training programs. He opined that the maritime component is in its incubation age. CHANCELLOR PUGH said Vigor announced that within the next five years 200 employees will be needed and the university would be the primary training center. He said that is what TVEP is about. SENATOR HUGGINS noted a huge unemployment problem in the U.S. He asked how the university dovetails with DOL to address that issue. CHANCELLOR PUGH spoke of the mining program as a method of employing people. DOL looked at the unemployed in the region, selected individuals to go to underground mining training, and funded the program. The university also worked with Gold Belt and the Alaska Native Corporation to contact unemployed Alaska Natives to engage in the mining training program. In the Ketchikan area former timber employees were contacted to train and work in the shipyard. CHAIR STEVENS wished to discuss the issue further at another time. 8:54:16 AM CHRIS REITAN, Superintendent, Galena City School District, Galena, Alaska, provided information about Technical Vocation Educational Program (TVEP) fund recipients. He described how Galena has used TVEP funding. When the funding was first available, it was used for implementing the aviation and cosmetology programs. Since then its use has been expanded to dual credit areas for high school students: construction trades, aviation, automotive, computer technology, health sciences, and culinary arts. The focus has been for non-traditional high school students to move into the workforce or on to more training. CHAIR STEVENS said he has been reading about 6-year high schools with 2 years of vocational training following a 4-year regular curriculum. He asked if that is what is occurring in Galena, MR. REITAN said it was true to a degree. He gave examples of cosmetology and aviation as courses that are taken throughout the duration of high school into a fifth year. 8:57:57 AM CHAIR STEVENS noted one of the problems the department is having is with getting information regarding cost and placement. He asked Mr. Reitan to comment on the university as a model for exiting old programs and accepting new programs. MR. REITAN thought it was appropriate. The focus in Galena is on occupations that have job demand, and the programs have to adjust to fields that have a high employment rate. CHAIR STEVENS voiced appreciation for Mr. Reitan's comments and work. 8:59:40 AM CHERYL EDENSHAW, Director, Alaska (Kotzebue) Technical Center, Kotzebue, Alaska, provided information about Technical Vocation Educational Program (TVEP) fund recipients. She discussed the flexibility of the center to adjust to meet workforce needs that arise. She said it is one of the center's strengths. She said they would like to develop even further to focus on quality and excel within career pathways that are in demand in the region and in the state. CHAIR STEVENS said he was impressed with the Kotzebue Technical Center. 9:01:15 AM FRED ESPOSITO, Director, Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTC), Seward, Alaska, provided information about Technical Vocation Educational Program (TVEP) fund recipients. He said that AVTC, a statewide program, was an original recipient of TVEP funding and the funds have become integrated into AVTEC operations. Originally, the funds were used to enhance programs that had been lacking in funding for equipment and accreditation. He noted that AVTEC uses school-wide results to show the results of TVEP. MR. ESPOSITO related that AVTEC has 18 certificate-level long- term training programs, as well as a large number of short-term programs. He listed programs in health, applied technologies, such as welding and diesel and heavy equipment mechanics, culinary arts, energy and building trades, construction, refrigeration, information technology, and maritime programs. All programs are offered with the support of industry - an industry-based advisory committee. He said AVTEC has had excellent results. In FY 2012, 86 percent of students entering long-term training programs completed them and 90 percent were placed in training-related employment. CHAIR STEVENS said he was familiar with Seward Center programs and facility. He commented that the maritime transportation facility is remarkable. MR. ESPOSITO agreed that the AVTEC maritime program is unique, the simulator is world class, and the staff are excellent. He credited the staff and industry support for the success of the program. 9:06:26 AM CHAIR STEVENS asked Mr. Esposito to comment on the reduction of 20 percent funding for non-performing facilities. MR. ESPOSITO did not think it was a concern to AVTEC's programs whose performance results are very good. 9:07:03 AM CHAIR STEVENS agreed that 90 percent placement is remarkable. SENATOR GARDNER noted in AVTEC's demographics that 2 percent of the students come from out of state. MR. ESPOSITO explained that some students find AVTEC on the internet and have an interest in relocating to Alaska. SENATOR GARDNER asked if those stay in Alaska after they finish the program. MR. ESPOSITO said the majority of students that go through AVTEC stay in Alaska. AVTEC does follow them and knows that most of them are employed in training-related jobs. CHAIR STEVENS thanked Mr. Esposito. 9:08:31 AM DOUG WALRATH, Director, Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center (NACTEC), Nome, Alaska, provided information about Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) fund recipients. He related that most of the Center's students are high school age, therefore he has a concern that the metrics that are being used to measure what they are intended to do. For example, the number of trainees is easy to report, but the number of those going to work within one year of training would exclude 79 percent of participants who were not high school seniors. He shared some trends found at NACTEC since the onset of TVEP five years ago. There was an increase of 64 percent in enrollment, up from 241 trainees. Nome and 15 sites in the Bering Strait School District came together to develop a regional training center. Bering Strait School District provides 89 percent of the students that come through NACTEC. There was an amazing increase in the graduation rate from 32 percent in FY 08, when TVEP entered, to 61 percent in FY 13. He said he cross- referenced the onset of TVEP funds with the unemployment rate, which decreased by 3 percent. He concluded that the funding is making an impact. He noted he has also provided written comments. CHAIR STEVENS asked for help determining what the right measures should be. He thanked Mr. Walrath. 9:14:26 AM KURT KUHNE, Executive Director, Yuut Elitnaurviat, Inc., People's Learning Center, Bethel, Alaska, provided information about Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) fund recipients. He said the Center's governance is made up of industries who meet annually to prioritize training needs for jobs within the region. He said they meet with DOL to try to determine the measures that adequately represent the good work that is done. He noted differences between Bethel and Nome and the difficulty in have the same measures for both centers. He said he has provided written answers to the requested questions. CHAIR STEVENS thanked Mr. Kuhne. 9:16:38 AM STEVEN ANGASAN, Instructor, Southwest Alaska Vocational and Education Center (SAVEC), King Salmon and Naknek, Alaska, provided information about Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) fund recipients. He said TVEP funding has been a godsend to SAVEC. He noted that all training centers are different and it would be difficult to develop measures to fit all. He agreed with the previous speaker. He said that Bethel works with kids; he works with adults. He said SAVEC was the recipient of a federal grant for fisheries, maritime, and others industry training. He spoke of a three-year AVTEC grant for internet. He testified in support of SB 139. CHAIR STEVENS thanked Mr. Angasan for working with agencies to meet the needs of his community. 9:20:32 AM KAREN CEDZO, Development and Coordination, Partners For Progress in Delta, Inc., Delta Career Advancement Center (DCAC), Delta, Alaska, provided information about Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) fund recipients. She spoke in support of continued TVEP funding provided for in SB 139 because the board believes that the programs offered by the funds are life changing. She described the process for developing a consortium to address the shortage of career and technical education needed to meet job demands. She provided the history of the partnership that developed the construction trades academy. The construction trades instructor has been recognized by the Alaska Workforce Investment Board as Career Technical Educator of the year. She explained how DCAC delivers its programs. She noted they do not issue degrees, but work with the university and the high school who do. She gave examples of needs met due to the annual industry roundtable; CDL training, welding, computing, and certified nurse aid. A goal is to focus on quality and address needs as they appear. She provided an example of how the university, career center, and school district work together. She described the successes of the programs. She concluded that the career center is a good model for delivering cost efficient, non-duplicating career and technical educational training in the area. CHAIR STEVENS thanked Ms. Cedzo. 9:26:50 AM SENATOR GARDNER said she found the testimony very interesting, particularly the mention of Boeing as a subcontractor. She asked if it was part of the Department of Defense work related to Fort Greeley. MS. CEDZO said yes. Boeing comes to the annual industry round table and states what it needs from new hires. Boeing invested $60,000 in Delta because they believe in hiring locals. The goal is to work with industry partners to keep people competitive for jobs emerging in the area. 9:29:35 AM SENATOR GARDNER said Ms. Cedzo mentioned that Boeing has a brain trust of engineers. She asked how many engineers are from Alaska. MS. CEDZO replied that Boeing does an incredible job of hiring University of Alaska Fairbanks engineers. She offered to provide the number. SENATOR GARDNER thanked Ms. Cedzo. CHAIR STEVENS thanked Ms. Cedzo. 9:30:24 AM CARMEN FRANCHINO, Director of Operations, Amundsen Educational Center, Soldotna, Alaska, provided information about Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) fund recipients. She shared information about the merging of the Amundsen Education Center with New Frontier Vocational Technical Center in 2008. She described the makeup of the student body. She related the content, funding sources, and successes of the program. She said TVEP is working because it strengthens the economy and the workforce by attracting young Alaskans to remain in the state. CHAIR STEVENS asked how many students Amundsen Educational Center can provide housing for on campus. MS. FRANCHINO said 12. 9:33:48 AM JUDI WALGENBACH, Program Director, Amundsen Educational Center, Soldotna, Alaska, provided information about Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) fund recipients. She spoke positively about the TVEP grant which the center received in 2008. 9:34:27 AM CHARLENE ARNESON, President, Chugach School Board, Chugach, Alaska, provided information about Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) fund recipients. She said that many students have benefitted from the transition to life skills program begun 18 years ago. She noted a 98 percent graduation rate. She described a young man from Whittier named Jake Yin who was successful and an example of what the academy can do. She said she would like to see a network of these training centers. CHAIR STEVENS requested Ms. Arneson send written materials. He asked if the academy receives TVEP funding. MS. ARENESON said no; it receives grant funding. She said it would be receiving some TVEP funding soon. She invited everyone to see new building. 9:40:36 AM STEVE BRADSHAW, Superintendent, Sitka School District, Sitka, Alaska, provided information about Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) fund recipients. He said Sitka has had a Southeast Career Training Center since 2008, but has received no TVEP funding, which has created stress on district funds. He described various grants to fund the program. He said he has been trying to get TVEP funds since 2008 and is looking for a way to keep the facility open. He shared some of the programs they can offer. CHAIR STEVENS noted that his request is for new programs to be added to TVEP. MR. BRADSHAW agreed that Sitka could be competitive for funds. He stressed that they have tried to get TVEP funds. He said he would like to re-apply for the funds. CHAIR STEVENS thanked Mr. Bradshaw. He said he would request some changes to the program so others could enter it. 9:47:10 AM CHARLES EDWARDSON, Workforce Development Director, Southern Southeast Alaska Technical Education Center, Ketchikan, Alaska, provided information about Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) fund recipients. He said that about 112 students went through the program last year. He noted that Ketchikan has received $3.3 million from the state for the facility and is seeking TVEP funding. He said the dormitories, which will house 40 students, will be completed in April. He talked about location difficulties and the need for a dormitory as the regional hub. He said he is on the board in Sitka and is working with Klawock. He noted a partnership with UAS. He stressed that TVEP funding would allow for a reduction in tuition rates and make it more accessible to all Alaska. He said federal funding is in place for building operations. He voiced concern with the formula. He maintained that vocation training efforts in Alaska are working. Unemployment contributions from workers in construction are increasing and there is an 18 percent increase in demand in the construction industry. He suggested keeping those ideas in mind when considering the formula. He said they work with industry. The demand for mining jobs and shipyard jobs is there. Students from both high schools attend the facility. He noted he has provided written information. He testified in support of SB 139 and wished to be included in HB 150. 9:53:32 AM CHAIR STEVENS thanked Mr. Edwardson. MR. EDMUNSON referred to a picture of successful graduates. SENATOR STEDMAN shared a story. CHAIR STEVENS summarized that it was an interesting discussion on SB 139. He concluded that there were concerns about the formula and he asked for opportunities for districts to apply for grants. He spoke highly of the flexibility of the university's model and the ability to be successful and competitive. CHAIR STEVENS held SB 139 in committee. 9:55:43 AM There being no further business to come before the committee, Chair Stevens adjourned the Senate Education Committee at 9:55 a.m.