Legislature(2021 - 2022)DAVIS 106
02/23/2022 03:30 PM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB10 | |
| SB20 | |
| HB108 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 10 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 20 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 108 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 272 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 273 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 108-CONCURRENT SECONDARY & TRADE SCHOOL
3:50:33 PM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the final order of business
would be HB 108, "An Act relating to concurrent vocational
education, training, and on-the-job trade experience programs
for students enrolled in public secondary schools; relating to
child labor; and providing for an effective date."
3:51:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KEN MCCARTY, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented HB 108 by reading the sponsor statement
[included in the committee packet], which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
House Bill 108 (HB108) would provide public secondary
high school students, 14 years of age and older, the
opportunity to participate in concurrent enrollment
vocational education, training and on-the-job trade
experience programs with industry-standard instruction
and certification. For the past several years, high
school students throughout the state have had the
opportunity to advance their education and career
goals, while still attending public high schools, and
college through dual enrollment. However, students
planning for vocational or trade careers have been
made to wait until graduation to actively pursue
training in their desired field. HB 108 brings
vocational trade education and training opportunities
with industry-standard certification and workforce
availability. To ensure that students are receiving
the best training, concurrent vocational education
instructors must possess a valid instructor
certificate and an industry-standard master skill
certification, or equivalent. Additionally, any trade
program that contracts with a school district must
provide a statement that their program instruction
meets industry standards for apprenticeships,
journeyman or equivalent certification based on agency
accredited, national, regional, or programmatic
instruction standards. The sponsors of this bill
recognize that there are many ways of learning. Many
hands-on learners who struggle in the traditional
classroom, have found great success in vocational
trade training programs. Program applicants will not
be selected based on merit rather by random drawing,
or lottery, to give each student a fair and equal
opportunity. HB 108 will improve high school
attendance, raise graduation rates due to students
with educational purpose, and produce a stronger,
viable workforce with industry-skilled work ethics,
and experience.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY followed that since presenting the bill
last year, Alaska has seen a tremendous need for a workforce,
specifically among the trade businesses. He pointed out that as
a result of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA),
federal monies will be available soon to enhance infrastructure,
and he believes testimonies presented during the hearing will
support that the workforce is "aging out." He promoted that the
bill provides opportunity for students to get experience and
certification while in high school. This allows students to
contribute to Alaska's workforce and begin to make "good money."
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY stated his belief that students taught
[work skills] early in life will learn work ethics and become
viable individuals in the workforce. He stated individuals are
more likely be laid off or terminated if they have no work
ethics. He opined the proposed bill could solve this issue as
well.
3:55:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked why the program applicants will not be
selected based on merit, but by random drawing.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY suggested that some of the vocational
programs will draw more interest from students than others. He
said that a random drawing or lottery system will create an
equal opportunity for all students, instead of selection based
solely on merit.
3:56:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX speculated whether equal opportunity is a
requirement; if not, he suggested that candidates should be
selected by merit.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY responded that a lottery system would
prohibit the choice of a candidate due to affiliation,
preferential treatment, or merit in the classroom. He compared
the Stanford-Binet Test - a standard for cognitive intelligence
- with Howard Gardner's work on multiple intelligence. Applying
Gardner's theory, he explained that a student could be "a genius
in the trades but not show that in some other realms of the
education process."
3:58:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS stated that career and technical
education (CTE) programs are critical for the state, referencing
a program in the Northwest Arctic Borough (NWAB) that had been
effective; when a student took two CTE courses in that program
he/she had a 100 percent graduation rate. He directed attention
to the line in the title of HB 108 that relates to child labor.
He said he would like to know the detailed changes to child
labor laws, and how those changes would help the bill to be
passed.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY stated the bill only addresses issues on
the state level, as other issues are federal rules. He
continued that the legislation proposes an extension of which
family members a [child] can work under, and it extends the time
limit a [child] can work by one hour.
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS stated he is familiar with CTE; however,
he questioned Representative McCarty's example of whether school
credit is given for a student refereeing a soccer game.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY answered a "student referee" is an
example of when a student is working but not allowed the time to
complete the job. He stated the proposed bill would provide an
extra hour a [child] can work [in the evening].
4:00:39 PM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND, in response to a question from Representative
Hopkins, confirmed that Section 6 of HB 108 would change the
time from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m., extending the allowed time by one
hour.
4:01:27 PM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced the committee would hear invited
testimony.
4:01:42 PM
TRISH ZUGG, Career and Technical Education Program
Administrator, Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, stated
she served several terms as president of the Association for
Career and Technical Education in Alaska; she now sits on a
policy committee at the regional level for 18 western states.
She stated she believes she has a global perspective on CTE and
understands how the approach of large school districts might
differ from that of smaller school districts. She stated the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) believes the
key to providing an educated, skilled, and ready workforce in
Alaska is to seamlessly connect systems of learning with the
workforce. Connecting high quality CTE with workforce
development fortifies the pathway for students to transition
into the workforce. High quality CTE and effective workforce
development should be evidence based; in example, she listed:
rigorous sequence of study, recognized credentials, equity in
access, technical expert instructors, and contextualized
academics. She stated the richest and most effective evidence
of high quality CTE is when learning extends outside the
classroom with work-based opportunities for all students. On
speaking about work-based learning (WBL), she stressed it is
what students will learn "about work," whether from a workforce
representative presenting in the classroom or an apprenticeship
that provides a means for students to "learn and earn." She
stated the WBL guide was recently rewritten at the state level
in a collaborative effort between the Department of Labor and
Workforce Development (DOLWD) and DEED. The guide addresses how
to put transitioning students to work in paid and unpaid work
environments, giving them ideas on career advancement,
credentialling, a pathway to degrees, and means to afford higher
education.
4:05:25 PM
MS ZUGG said work-based learning, or extending the classroom, is
an opportunity to formalize the transition. She stated WBL is
not exclusively for the trades, but can include nontraditional
trades as healthcare, aviation, information technology,
hospitality, and financial services. The MSBSD's goal is not to
ready students for one specific transition but to prepare them
for all levels they may pursue. Training and WBL, when
intentionally designed through connected systems, positions
students for clarity in their expectations and options in the
workforce. She stated the workforce, itself, gains clarity,
which is demonstrated by phone calls and outreach [MSBSD]
receives [from employers] looking for students that are
transiting out of education. She added this is about students
building strong relationships with employers while learning
employability skills. In conclusion, she asked for HB 108 to be
considered, stating institutionalizing WBL and training
opportunities that extend the classroom will help fill the
workforce gap; she stated the bill will make this a shared
responsibility of EDC and DOLWD.
4:08:23 PM
DON ETHERIDGE, Lobbyist, American Federation of Labor and
Congress of Industrial Organizations, stated the American
Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations
(AFL-CIO) fully supports HB 108. He said AFL-CIO has been very
active in starting CTE programs and securing funding. He stated
many trade instructors teach in the programs and there are grant
funds he plans to investigate. He stressed young students need
to learn to be on time and have their tools ready to go to work.
He stated that it takes time for students to learn these
lessons, and he suggested if they start younger, they will be
ready to look for apprenticeship programs sooner. He suggested
connecting HB 108 to an "indentured apprenticeship" program
would provide more training.
4:11:12 PM
MISSY FRAZE, Director, Career and Technical Education, Anchorage
School District, stated the Anchorage School District (ASD)
offers a wide variety of quality CTE programs that prepare
students for technical and trade careers. Quality CTE programs
require trained, certified instructors with industry background.
Not all school districts have this luxury, and she stated she
believes HB 108 will create new avenues to support the smaller
districts in bringing high-quality instructors to their
communities. She echoed Ms. Zugg's statement about the
importance of connecting the education system with the
workforce. She agreed that there is a struggle in technical
education to bridge barriers for youth to participate in WBL
opportunities. She stated the updated WBL guide, through the
collaborative effort, truly lays out how to provide students
with learning opportunities. She stated she believes HB 108
will help create a connective bridge by embracing students as
part of the continuum of learning from secondary school to
career. She stated, as with NWAB, CTE graduation rate in ASD is
high at 98 percent. She expressed confidence that when students
can be passionate about CTE programs, they will stay engaged and
graduate; when students learn skills in the classroom, as
professionalism and being on time, they extend these skills into
the workforce. She said she appreciates that HB 108 looks at
successful transitions other than just college for students.
She stated there is a workforce shortage in Alaska and
infrastructure bills will only exacerbate these issues in the
community.
4:15:32 PM
MS. FRAZE, in response to Representative Prax, directed him to
the ASD website to find a list of career and technical programs
available at different schools.
4:16:33 PM
MS. FRAZE, in response to Co-Chair Drummond, stated that the
Kusilvak Career Academy in the Lower Yukon School District
(LYSD) has a partnership with the Martin Luther King, Jr.
Technical High School ("King Tech"), and LYSD students have
access to King Tech programs.
4:17:11 PM
CO-CHAIR STORY sought to clarify the fiscal analysis. She asked
whether DEED has a list of available agencies to provide
industry-standard instructors. Also, she offered her
understanding that ASD would negotiate with the agencies [for
instructors]. She asked whether ASD has the resources at this
time for the $1,000 per student cost.
MS. FRAZE stated she is not the right person to answer the
details of the fiscal question; nonetheless, she offered the
example of how ASD partners with Alaska Works Partnership (AWP)
for technical trainers to do summer classes, such as plumping,
pipefitting, welding, and some girls-only classes. Qualified
AWP trainers on contract teach the classes with ASD providing
funding from the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education
Improvement Act of 2006 ("Perkins IV").
4:19:58 PM
MS. FRAZE, in response to Co-Chair Drummond, stated ASD has a
great partnership with Associated General Contractors (AGC).
She said she doubts they still work in elementary schools, but
ASD does do outreach with AGC, with their members coming into
classrooms to speak or do a skills class. She stated ASD is
fortunate to have resources in the community, acknowledging that
is not always the case in every community. In support of the HB
108, she specifically pointed to the part of the bill that
provides lists of available resources to school districts.
4:22:22 PM
LARRY LEDOUX, PhD, Superintendent, Kodiak Island School
District, stated he supports all previous testimony on HB 108.
He said that he has experience in his district with both large
and small schools. Sharing his work experience, he said he
started teaching in 1978 and continued his career by working as
a district technical coordinator and a high school principal.
To further real-life experiences for students, he stated that
the Kodiak Island Borough School District (KIBSD) has developed
industry-standard certification programs. For example, KIBSD's
welding teacher obtained certification in order to certify
students in welding. The welding program provides teaching
remotely to the village schools, with Lower Kuskokwim School
District (LKSD) students traveling to Kodiak for certification.
Students will also come to Kodiak for two weeks to do intensive
summer programs with industry-certified individuals. The summer
programs include industry-standard programs as nursing,
cosmetology, and welding. He stated KIBSD works hard to connect
with rural schools where industry standards are not represented;
but he added that many people in the villages have expertise, so
KIBSD has started partnerships between the skilled individuals
in the villages and teachers. He promoted that KIBSD wants to
"hook" students so they will pursue training outside the school.
He expressed support of HB 108, as it is a step forward
developing a framework with DEED providing leadership to smaller
districts.
4:26:06 PM
MR. LEDOUX responded to Representative Prax that the programs
are provided tuition free. He predicted there will be no fiscal
impact, as KIBSD "will find funds." The [trade] industry is
always "knocking at the door saying we will give you the funds."
4:27:14 PM
ANTHONY LADD, Business Manager and Treasurer, Alaska Ironworks
Union 751, recounted that he has been an ironworker for over 20
years and an instructor and director at the training center
before his current position. He stated his support of HB 108.
Referencing his own struggle as a student in the classroom, he
stated once he became an ironworker, it was like "a duck to
water." He offered his support to a lottery-type selection
process, stating there are plenty of students that do not go to
school or get good grades, not because they do not want to, but
due to challenges in the current classroom structure and how
they learn.
4:29:11 PM
DEENA BISHOP, PhD, Superintendent, Anchorage School District,
stated that with the current skilled employee shortage and
ageing workforce, it is critical to support equitable access to
CTE. She stated that in Alaska and across the nation it has
been proven that students in CTE programs have higher graduation
rates and more economic mobility, often with no student debt.
She stated the ASD has partnered with LYSD to build ties in
Alaska. She advanced the idea of a "middle college" that helps
high school students move toward their post high school goals.
She continued that industries in the state are challenged to
meet the demands of a highly skilled workforce. She mentioned
the financial challenges school districts face to fund CTE
programs with qualified instructors. She warned that once
[IIJA] moves forward these challenges will grow, and "now is the
time to do something." She stated HB 108 allows a policy that
bridges the gap between available training resources and
secondary school students. By providing lists of qualified
training programs, districts and students can align their
interests. In addition, she stated HB 108 allows expanded
access to WBL programs, such as on-the-job training, which is a
high mark of quality CTE. On-the-job training and WBL allows
students to gain valuable training that cannot be replicated in
the classroom. Also, earning high school credit in real world
training is a success for students. In conclusion, she stated
that ASD strongly supports HB 108.
4:32:37 PM
MAGGIE COTHRAN, High School Student, explained her support for
the proposed legislation. She stated that time at [King Tech]
exposed her to different environments that helped decide what
she liked and did not like. She stated that other students,
like her, do not know what to do after high school. Being
hands-on enables a student to have a passionate experience
he/she otherwise would not have had. She added that students
become aware of jobs in the state they did not know existed.
4:34:29 PM
JAMIE BURGESS, Superintendent, Nome Public Schools, began by
addressing how IIJA will bring new jobs to the state in
industries such as construction, welding, heavy equipment
operation, pipefitting, and more. Concerning the cost and
availability of higher education in rural Alaska, she stressed
educational leadership should ensure career and technical
education opportunities are available to students. Due to the
Port of Nome Modification Project, she emphasized that jobs are
coming, mostly "blue collar." She stated she feels the new jobs
should go to regional residents, but there already exists a huge
need in the region for qualified plumbers, welders, automotive
mechanics, electricians, and others. Current residents
qualified in these fields are "incredibly overworked." She
predicted there will be challenges in rural Alaska for
vocational training program contracts that meet the required
industry standards. She determined this will require creativity
and collaboration among rural districts and between the rural
and road districts. Postsecondary organizations in the state
will need to be a part of this collaboration, too. In example,
she stated the Northwest Arctic Career and Technical Education
Center (NACTEC) is a partnership between Nome Public Schools
(NPS) and the Bering Strait School District (BSSD). The
technical program provides some short-term coursework for local
students. She explained that NACTEC has its own metal and
automotive workshop, creating the most spacious, well-designed
technical school in rural Alaska. She stated that the Senate
Finance Standing Committee recently toured the building and can
attest to "how well our facilities were designed and equipped."
She stated that due to the NACTEC facility, adding
apprenticeship programs for NPS would be easy, as no travel
would be needed. Other rural areas would experience challenges
to provide the same opportunity. Yet, she added that creativity
is what rural Alaska does well. She made the point that HB 108
is a step in the right direction, stating it is important to
allow students to have the same opportunity for a technical
career as for a college career. She noted the pay scales for
technical and college-based careers can be similar, often with
less student debt for those pursuing technical careers.
4:39:01 PM
MS. BURGESS responded to Co-Chair Story that NACTEC uses Perkins
IV money, along with a "significant amount" of other grant
money, and she stated that there is more grant money possibly
available. Also, general funds from the districts are utilized.
4:40:43 PM
JIM ANDERSON, Chief Financial Officer, Anchorage School
District, stated his support of HB 108, as it will help more
students across the state become career and life ready upon
graduation. The bill strengthens the statewide focus to provide
high school students an opportunity to receive industry-standard
training and have viable skills. The larger school districts
realize the further away a school district is from urban areas,
the more difficult it is [to provide students with
opportunities]. He stated this bill stresses the importance of
partnerships with lists of businesses and programs that provide
opportunities in state-certified apprentice programs. He stated
that ASD has partnerships with several dozen businesses in the
Anchorage area and programs in nearly two dozen distinct career
fields. Students participating in programs receive course
credit for their time, plus they develop skills that allow them
to join the workforce immediately after graduation. He stated
the partnerships are frequently available at no cost to the
district. He sees this as a great opportunity for employers to
"build employees."
MR. ANDERSON sought to clarify a previous question from Co-Chair
Story that concerned fiscal analysis. He stated that he
believes a $1,000 investment in students that have a high
probability of graduating should be a priority. As a source of
funding, ASD looks at Perkins IV, general funds, and other
grants to make sure these opportunities are available to
students. He stated that in 2019, prior to the COVID-19
pandemic, 126 students participated in intern programs and
another 190 students participated in job-shadowing programs. He
cited a pre-pandemic success rate that 5 out of 8 students
entered a certified, apprenticeship program upon graduation. He
stated that HB 108 focuses on the future of the state's most
important asset by supporting the schoolboard's goal of ensuring
students are career ready.
4:44:18 PM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND opened public testimony on HB 108. After
ascertaining that there was no one who wished to testify, she
closed public testimony.
4:45:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY posed a question to DEED. Concerning
the ongoing and existing programs, she asked what additional
resources HB 108 affords to DEED to employ the programs.
4:46:39 PM
DEBORAH RIDDLE, Division Operations Manager, Division of
Innovation and Education Excellence, Department of Education and
Early Development, responded that the [forthcoming] amendment
would move some of the duties from DEED to the school districts.
She added, per the amendment, if the fiscal note is adjusted, no
additional staff would be needed to negotiate contracts [with
agencies that provide instructors].
4:47:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY, in response to Representative Zulkosky,
stated that HB 108 strengthens existing programs by having
trade-certified masters train the state's students. The
instructors become masters in the skill by either having special
training or by obtaining [a Type M Certificate].
4:48:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ZULKOSKY, in review of instructor certification
in small communities, asked how the proposed legislation would
impact a situation where there are no individuals with industry-
standard certification.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY stated the bill does not impose upon
districts to offer specific types of trade training. He went on
to say that smaller districts would be able to help each other.
4:50:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY responded to Representative Zulkosky
that, if HB 108 passes, instructors who are currently teaching
[technical] classes would have to meet three criteria: the Type
M Certificate, master skill ability, and curriculum that is
recognized by industry standard.
4:51:21 PM
CO-CHAIR STORY inquired about the components of the fiscal
notes.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY referenced the forthcoming "friendly"
amendment. This amendment would take the responsibility off
DEED, making school districts responsible for contracts. If
this amendment were to pass it would take the fiscal note away,
making it a zero fiscal note.
4:52:34 PM
CO-CHAIR STORY directed attention to the second fiscal note with
Office of Management & Budget (OMB) component number 2796. She
said she would like to know if the fiscal note is taken away,
whether DEED would be responsible to negotiate contracts with
agencies. She questioned the personal services for $118,000.
She also inquired about the source of the school districts'
funding for their individual learning plans.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCARTY deferred to Ms. Riddle.
4:54:17 PM
MS. RIDDLE answered that the salary is $118,800. Chargebacks
added into the salary would then equal $129,400, which is the
total costs to DEED for one person. She stated there is a one-
time equipment fee of $5,000. Responding to Co-Chair Story's
question concerning the $267,000 for services. She stated the
bill provided $1,000 per student to participate. In example,
DEED would negotiate a contact with a business. The business
would receive $1,000 for each student participating. The
anticipation is the program would gradually grow, with a high
estimate of 250 students for the first year. With program
growth, payments to industry partners would grow.
4:56:35 PM
CO-CHAIR STORY questioned whether the districts would receive
the money to make agreements if DEED does not [hire personnel]
to make the agency contracts.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND, in response to Co-Chair Story's question,
said the forthcoming amendment will likely answer the remaining
questions and take care of the situation.
4:57:26 PM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that HB 108 was held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB010CS(FIN)AM-EED-ASLC-2-4-22.pdf |
HEDC 2/23/2022 3:30:00 PM |
SB 10 |
| SB 20 am 1 HEDC 2.23.2022.pdf |
HEDC 2/23/2022 3:30:00 PM |
SB 20 |
| HB 108 Draft Amendment G.2.pdf |
HEDC 2/23/2022 3:30:00 PM |
|
| HB 108 Draft Amendment G.3.pdf |
HEDC 2/23/2022 3:30:00 PM |
|
| HB 108 Letters of Support 02.14.22.pdf |
HEDC 2/23/2022 3:30:00 PM HL&C 4/4/2022 3:15:00 PM |
HB 108 |
| HB 108 New Materials 2.23.22.pdf |
HEDC 2/23/2022 3:30:00 PM |
HB 108 |
| HB108-DOLWD-WH-02-20-22 Updated.pdf |
HEDC 2/23/2022 3:30:00 PM HL&C 4/4/2022 3:15:00 PM |
HB 108 |
| HB108-EED-SSA-12-20-21 Updated.pdf |
HEDC 2/23/2022 3:30:00 PM |
HB 108 |
| NexGen Aviators Letter of Support HB108.pdf |
HEDC 2/23/2022 3:30:00 PM |
HB 108 |
| Matsu SD Support for HB 108 02.18.22.pdf |
HEDC 2/23/2022 3:30:00 PM |
HB 108 |
| Yakutak SD Support fo HB 108 02.21.22.pdf |
HEDC 2/23/2022 3:30:00 PM |
HB 108 |