Legislature(2015 - 2016)CAPITOL 106
03/09/2015 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB80 | |
| Presentation: Research on Educator Quality and Quantity: a Project of Citizens for the Educational Advancement of Alaska's Children | |
| Presentation: Superintendent Lake and Peninsula School District on Innovative Teacher Training/recruiting Program | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 80 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 80-REPEAL COLLEGE/CAREER READINESS ASSESS.
8:02:25 AM
CHAIR KELLER announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 80, "An Act repealing the requirement for
secondary students to take college and career readiness
assessments."
8:02:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN GATTIS, Alaska State Legislature, presented
HB 80, paraphrasing from the sponsor statement, which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
Repeal of College and Career Readiness Assessment
Requirement
With the passage of HB278 in 2014, all secondary
students must take the ACT, SAT or WorkKeys Assessment
exam to receive a high school diploma, at the States
expense. The change in the States fiscal situation
provides an opportunity to take a second look at this
funding, without impacting the classroom.
Students that wish to be eligible for the Performance
Scholarship or college admissions can still do so, but
must pay for the testing themselves.
HB80 removes the mandate for student college and
career readiness assessment, and in turn allows State
spending for education to be targeted toward the
classroom where the greatest return on investment can
be realized. It also takes an unfunded mandate away
from the local districts.
8:04:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON recalled that previous to [HB] 278 the
WorkKeys Assessment exam was a requirement for 11th grade
students with the score listed on the transcript. He
acknowledged that the curriculum was established to support
students not choosing to attend college, which represents
approximately 70 percent of Alaska's students. He inquired how
removing the WorkKeys Assessment exam helps in the classroom as
it removes the high score obtained by a student that assists
employers in the competitive work force.
8:05:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS responded that the curriculum is not
necessarily aligned with the WorkKeys Assessment exam as
different school districts have different curriculum. She
opined that the Department of Labor was primarily served by
administering the unfunded mandate test as a high school exit
exam and a certain score was not required in order to exit. She
argued that the test scores are not on the transcripts and
businesses are not using it at this time.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked how eliminating the comparative
assessment will gain an employer the ability to evaluate a
prospective employee.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS suggested that an employer speak with the
Department of Labor should it require the information, and
reiterated that reports do not indicate any usage.
8:08:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD reminded the committee that the ACT/SAT
assessments are common core aligned, which she opined is an
"expensive experiment." Ten percent of Alaskan youth graduate
with a four year college degree and, she opined, it is not
necessary for all students to take this test. She stated that
ACT/SAT should be privately funded and the parents or students
be responsible for taking these tests as in the past. She
pointed out this is an approximate $600,000 fiscal note, and
described the time for preparation and tests taken during school
hours as a burden to the schools.
8:09:51 AM
CHAIR KELLER asked whether the districts would have option to
make the ACT/SAT and WorkKeys Assessment exam available should
this bill pass.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS replied that with the state's budgetary
constraints she would be surprised school districts would offer
the tests and would instead revert back to how tests have been
offered in the past. It costs [the state] money and the test is
being given through the Department of Labor, and time would be
used wisely in classroom instruction, she noted.
8:10:44 AM
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER asked the date the WorkKeys Assessment
exam program was introduced into schools.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS deferred to Representative Seaton.
CHAIR KELLER opened public testimony.
8:11:15 AM
JAMES HARVEY, Director, Employment Security Division, Alaska
Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DLWD), [Available
to answer questions questions.]
8:11:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON referred to WorkKeys Assessment exams and
levels recorded, asked whether it is being utilized in the
workforce.
MR. HARVEY responded that the Department of Labor & Workforce
Development (DLWD) has a listing of employers recognizing the
WorkKeys Assessment Certificate or the National Career Readiness
Certificate that the [assessment exam] produces. He pointed out
that the certificate is used for entrance into employment and
into the several apprentice programs throughout the state as
this particular assessment identifies the "work ready skill set"
the applicants require to be successful in employment.
MR. HARVEY, in response to Representative Seaton, stated he will
forward the list of employers recognizing the WorkKeys
Assessment Certificate across Alaska momentarily.
8:13:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ quiered whether the Department of Labor &
Workforce (DLWD) offers a student the test.
MR. HARVEY answered in the affirmative, and pointed out that the
Department of Education and Early Development (EED) operates in
urban and rural environments throughout school districts.
Whereas, DLWD operates a job center presence within urban or
sub-urban areas and, therefore, the rural areas become difficult
to impossible for DLWD to accomplish, he explained.
8:14:22 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ asked [technical difficulties] that
individuals can take at the DLWD.
MR. HARVEY advised this is the only work readiness assessment in
terms of the broad base of employers and the uses it is meant
for through ACT. He commented that job centers offer
assessments for the Transportation Security Administration and
other governmental entities.
8:14:50 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ asked the cost of taking exams at DLWD.
MR. HARVEY answered that the Workkeys Assessment exams were
approximately $235,000 for FY2014.
MR. HARVEY, in response to Representative Vazquez, advised that
assessments were provided to 4,837 individuals, and 1,275
National Career Readiness Certificates were issued in FY2014.
8:16:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ requested the purpose of the
certificates.
MR. HARVEY responded that the certificates assist in creating a
qualified resident workforce and offers career and technical
education opportunities to students necessary for them to move
forward in the workforce in Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ restated her question and asked how
future employers used the National Career Readiness Certificates
in FY2014.
MR. HARVEY replied that the three key areas of the applicant's
assessment are: reading for information, applied mathematics,
and locating information. He pointed out that employers can use
the scores within its hiring pool for placement into employment.
8:18:05 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ inquired as to the distribution of
individuals, geographically, taking the WorkKeys Assessment
exam.
MR. HARVEY advised he will provide the data which is tied to
geographic job centers across the state.
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ asked the cost of taking the WorkKeys
Assessment exam at DLWD.
MR. HARVEY answered that the cost of the exam for the
participant is zero as DLWD is utilizing federal funds to
connect and provide individuals assistance in applying for work.
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ requested the amount of federal funds for
FY2014.
MR. HARVEY advised that in FY2014 DLWD utilized approximately
$235,560 for the application of this particular assessment.
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ asked whether it was all federal money.
MR. HARVEY answered in the affirmative, and stated it is for
this purpose and connecting individuals for specific training
opportunities to overcome training as a barrier to direct
employment.
8:20:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked the date the WorkKeys Assessment
exam was put in place by the Alaska State Board of Education &
Early Development.
8:21:34 AM
BARBARA HANEY, testified in support of HB 80, and knows the test
of adult basic education is distributed throughout the state
which is comparable to the WorkKeys Assessment exam. She opined
there is no need for college career ready assessment to be
offered by the Alaska school districts in that DLWD offers
testing to 16-year olds thereby allowing two years for
corrective action if continuing in the education setting as
opposed to a GED or work career track. She described this as an
expense for the [school] system and individuals can take the
WorkKeys Assessment exam through DLWD where an employer can
request a referral. She stated she did not envision the ACT/SAT
replacing the exit exam.
8:24:18 AM
LORIE KOPPENBERG, testified in support of HB 80, and urged
committee support as parents should provide for the ACT/SAT.
CHAIR KELLER closed public testimony.
8:25:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS inquired of Mr. Harvey whether the
$235,000 in federal funds is available to be repurposed to other
DLWD programs.
MR. HARVEY responded that the funding is the Department's
Federal Wagner-Peyser Act funding that is utilized for the base
operation of the majority of the job centers throughout the
state. The repurposing of these funds could be performed if the
DLWD chose to discontinue the WorkKeys Assessment itself.
8:27:09 AM
PEGGY COWAN, Superintendent, North Slope Borough School
District, testified she is personally in favor of HB 80, but
that the North Slope Borough School District has no official
position as it has not met regarding HB 80. Conceptually, she
pointed out, providing tests at schools is an excellent
opportunity for those not close to job centers where they can
take the tests. She suggested that taking college and career
ready tests plus the requirement of an additional test for
graduation is another burden and perhaps a barrier for students
to get a diploma.
8:28:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked when the district began
administering WorkKeys Assessment to all 11th graders.
MS. COWAN estimated seven years.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON questioned why the Alaska State Board of
Education & Early Development implemented the mandate that the
WorkKeys Assessment exam be given in the 11th grade.
MS. COWAN opined it was to provide a measure and an entrance so
students would have [the score] on their record with a ticket to
assist in obtaining jobs.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON referred to the program in place to
determine whether the 70 percent of youth not going to college
were adequately trained, and inquired how eliminating that
program would be helpful in training and offering rural
residents access to the workforce in Alaska.
MS. COWAN opined that this bill eliminates the requirement of a
student to take one of the tests in order to receive a diploma
in that the requirement was on the district and not on the
student to graduate. She opined the bill is a better approach
than requiring an individual accountability approach by the
student and pulling back on that issue would remove a burden on
the student. She indicated the school could continue to audit
the test and she would appreciate the state's support in
offering the WorkKeys Assessment exam.
8:30:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON surmised that the Alaska State Board of
Education & Early Development could continue to require that the
WorkKeys Assessment exam is given to every 11th grader and have
the money come out of the school district 's own budget instead
of one of the assessments being taken [for graduation].
MS. COWAN replied that if the Alaska State Board of Education &
Early Development is going to require it, she expects that
without adding on further band aids it will support it. Her
understanding, she expressed, is that HB 80 removes the
requirement for ACT/SAT and Workkeys Assessment for the diploma
and suggested the WorkKeys Assessment exam could be given as it
was many years prior to the 2014 House Bill 278, without the
diploma requirement.
8:32:39 AM
CONNIE NEWMAN, Superintendent, Pribilof Island School District,
testified in support of HB 80 as the information collected from
WorkKeys Assessment is not used to the best advantage for her
small and remote village. In that regard, she and her staff
decided to not implement the ACT and WorkKeys Assessment option
for the piece required for a student's assessment.
[Technical difficulties between 8:33:40 and 8:33:52.]
8:33:52 AM
JACK WALSH, Superintendent, Craig School District, testified his
school district supports of HB 80, and expressed concerns as a
former special education teacher [technical difficulties] of the
residents and students. [Technical difficulties] estimates that
approximately seven years ago people debated whether the
graduation exam accomplished its goals and how prepared students
were at graduation. He described the exams as important tools,
yet at times the right test was not used for its intended
purpose and great errors were made in judgement. For example,
he remarked, Alaska does not require an ACT/SAT to attend
college yet requires that every youth graduating from high
school take the exams. He expressed surprise with the five
pages of employers interested in Workkeys Assessment scores and
noted that his opposition to the tests [technical difficulties]
as the opposition to continuing the tests has more to do with
unintended consequences.
8:37:41 AM
DEENA PARAMO, Superintendent, Matanuska-Susitna School District,
testified in support of HB 80, and echoed Ms. Cowan in that it
is a need versus a want. She pointed out that she personally
has a high school student and did not have to pay for an SAT
exam this year which was a gift from the state, but the state is
in a difficult time of revenue. Unfortunately, she commented,
youth did not take the test seriously unless they saw the
outcome as necessary. However, in Matanuska-Susitna assistance
will be offered to students that require assistance in paying
the $82.00 ACT/SAT or Workkeys Assessment tests, she said.
8:39:51 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ praised the low income support and asked
how that will occur should this bill pass.
MS. PARAMO replied that prior to this year it was a choice if
the student was going to college. She offered that within her
school district counselors know the students and there are
avenues and waivers to cover fees privately with no equity for
students, which includes sports fees and lunches.
CHAIR KELLER closed public testimony after ascertaining no one
further wished to testify.
8:41:02 AM
CHAIR KELLER commented "this was not a set up" as the sponsor
was not aware the superintendents would be in town [technical
difficulties].
CHAIR KELLER re-opened public testimony.
8:41:48 AM
LES MORSE, Deputy Commissioner, Commissioner's Office,
Department of Education and Early Development (EED), clarified
that HB 80 removes funding and it depends upon the amount
dollars left in the budget at the end of session whether testing
in schools could continue. The Alaska State Board of Education
& Early Development seeks funding for initiatives from the
legislature and the WorkKeys Assessment program started as a
statewide requirement in FY2009. Last year 49 high schools were
considered national test sites to offer the SAT, however, a
statewide contract offering the SAT to students across the state
opened up the ability for more high schools to test. Therefore,
this year the state is testing at 93 high schools. Last year 40
high schools served as national test sites for ACT and the in-
school testing program increased that amount to 255 schools. He
pointed out that in-school testing would go away because it is
only available with a statewide contract. He commented that 89
high schools offer both, in that a district has a choice of
offering the SAT, ACT, or both, and students are able to choose
either test.
8:45:32 AM
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER pointed out that the fiscal note indicates
a cost of $52.50 per student, for a savings $525,000, yet
individually the cost is $82.00. He asked whether testing
companies could provide the bundled cost rate versus the higher
direct individual rate.
MR. MORSE opined that the cost of the SAT is $52.50 regardless
of a state contract. In the event that is not the case the EED
would advocate to the vendor for those costs.
8:47:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD recalled that her amendment to House
Bill 278 removed the ACT/SAT due to the common core alignment
and the costs. Further, she commented, that when the Alaska
Performance Scholarship are evaluated privately funded scores
are received, and asked whether the state would continue to
receive those scores.
MR. MORSE advised that EED has been receiving those scores for
APS verification and would continue to receive those scores to
determine the student's qualifications for the scholarship.
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD opined that that students should give
their permission for the scores. She quiered as to whether
there is any impact to the No Child Left Behind waiver in
repealing the ACT/SAT or WorkKeys Assessment.
MR. MORSE responded that this legislation would have no impact
on the Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESEA) at this
point. The number of students participating in the assessment
is used in the Alaska School Performance Index (ASPI). In the
event this was removed, EED would have to make a change as it is
used as a college career readiness indicator that the students
are thinking about college and careers. However, no dollars are
attached to it as it is part of the school rating system. The
Alaska State Board of Education & Early Development would have
look at the rating system and remove that particular indicator
for college career readiness.
8:50:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON questioned whether passage of HB 80
negates the Alaska State Board of Education & Early Development
requirement that 11th grade students take the WorkKeys
Assessment.
MR. MORSE answered that it would depend upon the agency budget
at the end of the legislative session. He added that this bill
does remove the associated funding and he does not know whether
money would be available to support the test.
8:51:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ asked for clarification as to whether the
Alaska State Board of Education & Early Development could
proceed with the requirement through passage of HB 80.
MR. MORSE replied in the negative as it is not the same
requirement in that the bill repeals the mandate that a student
must take the test in order to graduate. Prior to the
legislation last year, the Alaska State Board of Education &
Early Development required all 11th graders to take the WorkKeys
Assessment exam with funding attached, but it wasn't a
requirement for graduation. His understanding of Rep Seaton's
question was whether the board reinitiate that requirement,
which has been removed, and the answer is they could "it could
be a high stakes in terms of requiring students to participate
to graduate and the other question would be a funding question."
8:52:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ inquired what provisions are made for
students of low economic means should a student voluntarily
choose to take the exam.
MR. MORSE answered there is nothing on a statewide level.
Although, there are some provision EED helps administer through
vendors for certain students to receive a fee waiver. He does
not know the number of students as it is primarily performed
through the vendor offering fee waivers. It is important to
understand, he explained, that the bill removes the school
testing requirement from 205 schools and, thereby, students have
no access for assessments.
CHAIR KELLER closed public testimony after ascertaining no one
further wished to testify.
8:54:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER offered support for HB 80 and noted this
is the time to access these mandates as far as cost and
effectiveness. To get results, classroom time should be
supported, and removal of this assessment will provide that
opportunity, he opined.
8:55:41 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON reminded the committee this is not the
House Finance Committee and to approach this bill from the
educational aspect. He remarked that 70 percent of Alaskan
students do not attend college and enter the workforce but their
needs of an education was not being addressed. He pointed to
today's testimony wherein a speaker stated they are not offering
the WorkKeys Assessment and instead are going to the ACT/SAT
which are not career readiness exams. He is not opposed to
removing the focus from college bound students but he objects to
the bill removing the WorkKeys Assessment portion which the
Alaska State Board of Education & Early Development determined
would assist the 70 percent of workforce bound students and, he
opined, the prior system targeted educating everyone. Passage
of this bill causes the state to lose the initiative for
employable students at graduation and, he pointed out, the state
is stepping backwards in education without a WorkKeys Assessment
track. He said he is not against eliminating the idea of
ACT/SAT funding, but previously there was a better target on the
majority of Alaskan students, and he is not voting for this
bill.
8:59:46 AM
CHAIR KELLER pointed out that the Finance Committee specifically
requested that standing committees consider the fiscal
consequences of policy decisions. He opined that a vote for HB
80 does not equate to a vote against WorkKeys Assessment, and
will be voting in favor of the bill.
9:01:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS testified in support of HB 80,
acknowledging Representative Seaton's concerns. Downstream
effects do need to be considered, and further hopes that
considerations will be brought regarding regulations and the
70/30 rule, waivers, and mandating training the legislature
instituted over the years on streamlining school maintenance
requirements.
9:02:37 AM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD moved to report HB 80, labeled 29-
LS0184\H, out of committee with individual recommendations and
the accompanying fiscal notes.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON objected.
9:02:59 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Reinbold, Vasquez,
Colver, Kreiss-Tomkins and Keller voted in favor of passing HB
80 out of committee. Representatives Seaton and Drummond voted
against it. Therefore, HB 80 was reported out of the House
Education Standing Committee by a vote of 5-2.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB80_Full Text_Version H.PDF |
HEDC 3/9/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 80 |
| HB80_Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HEDC 3/9/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 80 |
| HB80_Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HEDC 3/9/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 80 |
| HB80 Fiscal Note EED-SSA 2-27-15.pdf |
HEDC 3/9/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 80 |
| HB 80 testimony.docx |
HEDC 3/9/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 80 |
| MindsetsBehaviors ASCA 2014.pdf |
HEDC 3/9/2015 8:00:00 AM |
|
| HB 80 Support school counselor.msg |
HEDC 3/9/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 80 |
| HB 80 support repeal.msg |
HEDC 3/9/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 80 |
| EQQ_Report_Feb27FINAL.pdf |
HEDC 3/9/2015 8:00:00 AM |