Legislature(2015 - 2016)CAPITOL 106
03/23/2016 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB89 | |
| SJR2 | |
| HB156 | |
| HB298 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SJR 2 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 298 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 156 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 89 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 156-SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES; FED. LAW
9:11:20 AM
CHAIR KELLER announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 156, "An Act relating to compliance with federal
education laws; relating to public school accountability; and
providing for an effective date." [Before the committee,
adopted as a work draft on 3/16/16, was the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 156, Version 29-LS0566\Y, Glover,
3/11/16.]
9:11:34 AM
CHAIR KELLER passed the gavel to Vice Chair Vazquez.
9:11:40 AM
CHAIR KELLER stated that the first component of the bill is a
means to address the implementation of ESSA and proposes a two
year hiatus for the transition period; effectively suspending
the high stakes testing regimen required by the federal
government. The second component addresses the state school
board reporting requirements, which will be "tweaked" based on
the adoption of the changes made in the first aspect of the
bill.
9:14:44 AM
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER moved to adopt Amendment 1, labeled 29-
LS0566\Y.1, Glover, 3/16/16, which read:
Page 3, line 13, following "demonstrates":
Insert "(1)"
Page 3, line 14, following "year":
Insert "; or
(2) maintenance of a proficient or high performance
designation from the previous year"
9:14:47 AM
CHAIR KELLER objected for purposes of discussion.
9:15:39 AM
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER said the amendment addresses school
district concerns to establish a bar for the purpose of high
performance designations and comparisons.
9:17:20 AM
CHAIR KELLER removed his objection. He explained that an
annually updated, on-line report card, lists the designated,
high performance schools. He opined that even top rated schools
could be served instead via a performance indicator, with better
results. Understanding the standard may be necessary, but the
intent of the bill directs the board to establish considerations
for determining school performance and consistent improvement,
rather than focusing on maintaining proficiency.
9:19:27 AM
CHAIR KELLER removed his objection.
9:19:32 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON objected.
9:19:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if the current five star rating
system will be effected or whether what is being proposed is in
addition to what exists. An additional system may effectively
double the school rating effort, he surmised, and asked how the
department would align the two approaches.
9:21:21 AM
MARGARET MACKINNON, Director, Assessment and Accountability,
Department of Education and Early Development (EED) responded
that the current Alaska School Performance Index uses a five-
star rating base. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act
(ESEA) flexibility waiver [implemented at the beginning of the
2013-14 school year] directed the department to maintain
identification categories to include schools rated as the lowest
performing, as well as the reward status facilities. The
requirements also categorized high progress and high performance
schools. The department is currently experiencing a "pause," in
anticipation of the new assessment system. The passage of ESSA
[ESEA/NCLB reauthorization], allows flexibility for creating an
accountability system, and places the decision making in the
hands of the state. Thus, the type of indicators for inclusion,
and whether or not to continue the star rating method is yet to
be decided. ESSA doesn't require a high performing designation,
she pointed out.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON recalled the establishment of the current
star system, which Alaska may have created to satisfy federal
requirements. However, he said, the current accountability
system, as written, may satisfy the proposed criteria, negating
a need for Amendment 1.
MS. MACKINNON answered that the current requirements for
designating schools has not been changed. She explained that
the existing designations are broad and, under the ESEA waiver,
the star accountability system may meet all requirements. The
provisions are general enough to allow the development of a
modified, or new, state accountability system while recognizing
schools that are improving. Once the high threshold for school
performance is attained, however, it can become difficult to
show continued improvement from year to year. The proposed
amendment language will bolster both situations.
9:25:34 AM
CHAIR KELLER commented that when a school's previous year's
performance becomes the status quo, "it makes me uncomfortable."
The amendment offered allows for an element of improvement.
9:26:09 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON removed his objection, and with no further
objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
9:26:48 AM
CHAIR KELLER moved to adopt Amendment 2, labeled 29-LS0566\Y.3,
Glover, 3/18/16, which read:
Page 6, line 18:
Delete "2017"
Insert "2016"
Page 6, line 19:
Delete "2019"
Insert "2018"
Page 7, line 12:
Delete "2017"
Insert "2016"
9:27:19 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON objected for discussion.
9:27:22 AM
CHAIR KELLER said the intent of Amendment 2 is to address the
department's request for an adjustment of the effective date,
which will allow the necessary time for implementation.
9:28:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER clarified that the intent is to not
require school districts to administer a statewide based
assessment after July 1, 2016; a directive to the state school
board.
CHAIR KELLER concurred.
9:28:50 AM
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER surmised that testing is being returned to
local control, per ESSA, with the expectation that the
department will develop a meaningful, measurable assessment
system, in concert with local districts, which can be compared
with other state's scores. He underscored the importance for
rebuilding a new state assessment system from the ground-up. A
collaboratively developed framework, with goals and objectives,
would be the best approach, he opined.
9:30:27 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON reminded committee members that the
federal government has expressed to EED that a two year waiver
is not available, thus, putting the state's federal education
funding at risk. He asked if that is the reason for the
proposed date change.
9:31:40 AM
CHAIR KELLER said the date change allows the department to get
an earlier start for implementing the permissive elements of
ESSA.
9:32:44 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SPOHNHOLZ stated support for the concepts
presented in the bill, and expressed concern for unintended
consequences effecting currently enrolled senior students.
Would lacking participation in an assessment them in jeopardy,
as graduates, she asked.
MS. MACKINNON responded no.
9:33:43 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON removed his objection, and with no further
objection Amendment 2 was adopted.
9:34:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ moved to report the proposed CS for HB
156, Version 29-LS0566\Y, Glover, 3/11/16, as amended, from
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 156(EDC), was
reported from the House Education Standing Committee.
9:34:27 AM
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER stated support for the bill and said it is
important to retool the educational situation in the state.
9:35:06 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 9:35 a.m.
9:35:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ returned the gavel to Chair Keller.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB298 Fiscal Note.pdf |
HEDC 3/23/2016 8:00:00 AM HEDC 4/1/2016 8:00:00 AM |
HB 298 |
| CS HB156 Sponsor Statment.pdf |
HEDC 3/23/2016 8:00:00 AM |
HB 156 |