Legislature(2021 - 2022)DAVIS 106
01/21/2022 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB18 | |
| HB21 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 164 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 21 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 18-TEACHERS: NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION
8:00:33 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the first order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 18, "An Act relating to national board
certification for public school teachers."
8:01:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS, Alaska State Legislature, as
prime sponsor, re-introduced HB 18, [which was heard previously
by the House Education Standing Committee on 4/30/21]. He said
the proposed legislation seeks to acknowledge teachers who have
pursued and achieved the national board certification, a
rigorous certification process. He said many states offer
incentives to teachers who achieve this certification. He said
the underlying idea is the importance of teachers and the
acknowledgement of the work they do. He stated, "Everything we
can possibly do to incent and attract excellent ... and high-
quality teachers is incredibly important." He said HB 18 sets a
goal for the number of National Board certified teachers the
state might be able to attract, as well as puts forward a
recognition of those teachers that would achieve that status.
He related that he has worked with all aspects of the
educational community in terms of the proposed legislation and
has found universal support for HB 18.
8:04:57 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND noted there was a zero fiscal note
accompanying HB 18.
8:05:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK offered his understanding that the National
Board standards are comparable to a master's program, and he
asked whether it would make more sense to "stick with" the
University of Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS suggested Lisa Parady could
address this query more thoroughly; however, he offered his
understanding that the national board certification is "more
clinically oriented" and addresses how teachers work in the
classroom, whereas Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degrees are
"more knowledge and theory oriented." He added that he does not
see the two as mutually exclusive.
8:08:37 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked the bill sponsor why he chose
national board certification rather than other awards or
accolades.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS answered that the national board
certification has emerged as "the gold standard," recognized in
all 50 states. In response to a follow-up question, he said
getting certified is a multi-year process, and he offered his
understanding that the cost for certification is $2,000. He
said many teachers pursue this certification by self-initiative,
as a commitment to self-improvement. He mentioned a policy
proposal to reimburse teachers, but said that is not put forth
in HB 18; however, he opined it would be "a no-brainer" thing to
do.
8:11:29 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY asked whether the National Education Association
in Alaska (NEA-Alaska) has scholarship funds that could be
applied to support teachers without financial means to pursue
this certification.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS said he is not aware of such a
fund, but would not be surprised if there were such a thing on
some level.
8:13:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked about the goal stated in HB 18 to
reach a minimum of 4 percent of teachers being certified by
2025. He offered his understanding that about 220 teachers, or
about 2 percent, currently have obtained this certification.
Further, he said he heard there may be another 24 teachers in
the process. He questioned whether [4 percent by 2025] was a
reasonable goal.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS proffered that currently 2.5
percent are certified. He said it is a nonbinding goal for
motivation. He said he would defer to the wisdom of the House
Education Standing Committee to determine the best number to
inspire but not be unobtainable.
8:16:53 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND said there are a half dozen school districts
in Alaska that provide financial incentive to teachers that
achieve national board certification. She noted that this has
had the benefit of lowering teacher turnover by three times.
She further noted that several states provide additional
stipends. She said the committee could consider this at some
point to address the serious issue Alaska is having in regard to
teacher retention.
8:17:57 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:18 a.m. to 8:20 a.m.
8:19:56 AM
LISA PARADY, PhD, Executive Director, Alaska Council of School
Administrators (ACSA), Alaska Superintendents Association,
offered a PowerPoint presentation in support of HB 18. She
displayed slide 3, "ACSA's Joint Position Statements," which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Preparing, Attracting and Retaining Qualified
Educators
• Retaining effective educators and leaders is
imperative to increase student achievement and
eliminate academic disparity for all of Alaska's
students. ACSA strongly encourages the development of
comprehensive statewide programs to prepare, attract,
and retain high quality, diverse educators and
professionals.
DR. PARADY said the joint statements are derived from ACSA's
members, including superintendents, elementary and secondary
principals, school business officials, and school administrators
across Alaska. She moved to slide 4, "How Does National Board
Certification Help?," which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
• National Board Certification is recognized as the
gold standard in teacher certification, the National
Board believes higher standards for teachers means
better learning for students
• Maintains high and rigorous standards for what
accomplished teachers should know and be able to do
• Builds leadership within classrooms, school
buildings, and school districts
• Improves new teacher quality and retention
DR. PARADY turned to slide 5, "Current National Board
Certification Numbers," which shows the following [original
punctuation provided]:
• In the 2021 National Board Certification report,
Alaska ranked 25th in the nation
• 2.64% of teachers have a National Board
Certification
DR. PARADY said ACSA believes the goal proposed under HB 18 is
an ambitious but attainable one. She pointed out that the
process of certification is cyclical with limited windows of
entry. She suggested moving the goal of 4 percent out to 2027.
She explained that teachers who go for the certification often
carry major loads in their work. She said in many cases
teachers who achieve this certification are recognized as
leaders, and mentorship from these certified teachers can
improve new teacher quality and retention.
8:24:46 AM
MS. PARADY drew attention to the information on slide 6,
"Current Challenges," which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
• Certification costs $1,900
• Board Certification typically takes 3 years to
complete
• Only 12 testing centers in Alaska
• Teachers in rural communities have additional travel
costs
MS. PARADY pointed out that there is an added cost to some
teachers to travel to a recognized testing site. She also noted
that "submissions and tests" do not always coordinate with the
teacher's school year schedule, which requires planning. To
promote this certification, she recommended consideration of
financial support in order to make certification available to
all Alaska teachers.
DR. PARADY showed slide 7, "ACSA Supports HB 18," which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
Increasing the share of Alaska teachers with National
Board Certification is an important step, along with
comprehensively addressing teacher recruitment and
retention, to improve Alaska schools for all students.
We are proud to support this policy and the goal of
providing an effective teacher for all students.
DR. PARADY displayed contact information on slide 8 and offered
to answer questions from the committee.
8:27:19 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked how many teachers take the test each
year.
DR. PARADY said she did not know but would find out and bring
the answer back to the committee.
8:28:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX noted that the National Board of
Certification is a private institution related to Article 1,
Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Alaska. He
questioned whether an opinion from Legislative Legal and
Research Services may be necessary.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND suggested the question would be more suited
for Legislative Legal and Research Services rather than Dr.
Parady. She thanked Dr. Parady for her PowerPoint presentation
on HB 18.
8:29:31 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND opened public testimony on HB 18. After
ascertaining there was no one who wished to testify, she closed
public testimony. She set an amendment deadline of Monday,
1/24/22, at 5 p.m.
8:30:00 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced HB 18 was held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 18 2022 JPS ACSA.pdf |
HEDC 1/21/2022 8:00:00 AM |
HB 18 |
| HB 18 ACSA Presentation PDF 1-21-22.pdf |
HEDC 1/21/2022 8:00:00 AM |
HB 18 |