Legislature(2001 - 2002)
2002-02-04 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2002-02-04 Senate Journal Page 2104 SB 275 SENATE BILL NO. 275 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to the establishment of a research and development program for excellence in the public schools of this state; relating to grants for the improvement or enhancement of school performance; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services, Community and Regional Affairs and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Education and Early Development 2002-02-04 Senate Journal Page 2105 Governor's transmittal letter dated January 31: Dear President Halford: The state has a responsibility and opportunity to help public schools help their students meet essential skill standards in reading, writing and math. We are measuring the progress our students are making toward these standards; we should also assist schools in meeting the standards. This bill I transmit today provides grant programs for low- performing schools to increase their effectiveness and for high- performing schools to enhance their quality, and a research center to assist in this effort to build quality schools. The research center is a critical component of this program for school improvement -- an important missing link in our state's march toward greater accountability for schools. The center's primary function would be to assist low-performing schools in effectively teaching students in a standards-based environment measured by benchmark and high- stakes testing. The center will analyze available data from each school and will help schools develop plans for needed improvements using best-known educational practices and resources. The keystone of the center's effort is academic performance data -- facts about student performance that identify areas of improvement and low performance. The data will be obtained from student scores on the Alaska benchmark and high school exams, and other indicators of school and student performance. Using the data, center staff and contractors will work with school and community leaders, teachers and students. With this bill I am requesting $2 million for the first year of operations for the center. The bill also seeks $4 million in financial assistance for schools to be used for $10,000 to $100,000 grants to low- and high- performing schools. 2002-02-04 Senate Journal Page 2106 It is important to build this program now. We must do all we can now to ensure all of our students can succeed. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor