SB 89-PARENT RIGHTS: EDUCATION; SCHOOL ABSENCE  4:42:36 PM VICE-CHAIR HUGGINS announced the consideration of SB 89. SENATOR GIESSEL moved to adopt the CS for SB 89, labeled 29- LS0735/P, as the working document. VICE CHAIR HUGGINS objected for discussion. 4:43:16 PM BETHANY MARKUM, Staff, Senator Mike Dunleavy, Alaska State Legislature, presented SB 89 on behalf of the sponsor. She read from the sponsor statement: The purpose of SB 89 Parental Rights in Education, is to codify in state statute the inherent rights of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children. As parents are the ultimate authority regarding their children, this bill requires local school boards to adopt policies which promote the involvement of parents. A child's parents (be they biological or not) are, in most cases, best suited to understand what is in their child's best interest. It may seem unnecessary that this would need to be re-stated in law. However, too often we see parents pitted against government in decisions regarding children's education and upbringing. I am thus sponsoring this bill to re- balance that relationship. I feel it essential to ensure that our educational system acknowledges the essential rights of parents, and that schools adopt policies to encourage parental involvement. These policies must accommodate the following: Parents will be given the chance to review content of any activity, class, performance standard, program, or standards-based assessment or test required by the department. Parents can object to and withdraw children from any standards-based assessment or test required by the department, and the absence cannot be counted as unlawful. If parents have a concern about any activity, class, performance standard, or program that covers human reproduction or sexual matters, or which inquiries into personal or private family affairs, they can object and keep their child out of that particular activity, and the absence cannot be counted as unlawful. Parents will be allowed to withdraw children for religious holidays, and the absence cannot be counted as unlawful. Parents must provide written permission before children may attend each human reproduction or sex education instruction or presentation. Existing law requires parents to provide written permission before students take part in certain questionnaires and surveys administered by schools. This bill extends that requirement to all questionnaires and surveys administered by schools. As the stewards of their children, parents must be guaranteed the right to make the decisions they feel are best for their children's education. I request your support for SB 89. She described changes in the bill found in Section 1: Modifies language to use existing statute language for "tests and assessments". Removes references to Health education. Adds language to allow objection and withdrawal due to concern regarding "inquiries into personal and private family matters". Adds language to clarify the timeframe within which permission must be obtained. Adds language to require separate permission or objection for each event. 4:46:42 PM VICE CHAIR HUGGINS noted parents have rights and legislators need to be sensitive to that. He shared a personal story about taking his own kids out of school for Veterans Day events. MS. MARKUM said the sponsor has strong feelings about the bill and parents' rights, as does she. VICE CHAIR HUGGINS shared his support for the bill. MS. MARKUM thought parents should be reminded of their rights. 4:50:07 PM SENATOR GIESSEL shared a personal story about parents attending classes with their children as an important strategy. SENATOR GARDNER recalled the testimony on child abuse and who the children talked to about it. She questioned how teachers and parents can gather vital information about abuse without being able to get that information anonymously. She questioned the need to get permission every time. MS. MARKUM said it is a concern, but parents should make the choice of who best to reveal that information to. She did not think the data would be invalidated by parents who chose not to participate. VICE CHAIR HUGGINS shared a story of people not wanting to get involved with abuse. He spoke of the duty to not rat on peers. 4:54:40 PM At ease 4:54:59 PM VICE CHAIR HUGGINS withdrew his objection to adopting version P. There being no further objection, version P was adopted. SCOTT MACMANNUS, Assistant Superintendent, Gateway School District, testified against the requirement in SB 89 to get permission from parents, in terms of time and money. Parents are always allowed to participate in the content of the curriculum and can exclude their children if they wish. He suggested there needs to be a balance struck. [VICE CHAIR HUGGINS held SB 89 in committee.]