Legislature(2009 - 2010)CAPITOL 106
04/02/2010 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Overview(s): Update on Education in Rural Alaska by Phyllis Carlson, Alaska Director of Rural Education and Mr. Moller Moller, Alaska Rural Advisor | |
| HB206 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| = | HB 206 | ||
HB 206-HIGH SCHOOL ASSESSM'T/POSTSECONDARY CLASS
10:06:37 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON announced that the final order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 206, "An Act establishing a career
assessment requirement in public schools; and relating to
postsecondary courses for secondary school students."
10:06:43 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON made a motion to adopt Committee
Substitute (CS) for HB 206, 26-LS0765\C. There being no
objection, Version C was before the committee.
10:07:10 AM
CHAIR SEATON drew attention to the document in the committee
packet titled "Questions from (H)EDC from 3/19/2010 Regarding
Workkeys and the HSGQE." He pointed out that the response to
question 2 from the Department of Education and Early
Development (EED) was that the grade 11 requirement for the
WorkKeys assessment is that it is to be included on the
cumulative file, but not shown on the transcript or diploma.
Thus the directive in the bill should remain.
10:07:53 AM
CHAIR SEATON then referred to page 1, line 6, and offered
Amendment 1 which would change grade 12 to grade 11.
10:08:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER objected for the purpose of discussion.
10:08:33 AM
CHAIR SEATON said this is in response to the State Board of
Education & Early Development (state board) comments that
indicated grade 12 was too late. Furthermore, regulations allow
for students to retake the exam in grade 12, and if their scores
improve, there is no cost.
10:09:03 AM
REPRESENTATIVE BUCH added that moving the assessment to grade 11
will allow students time to take corrective measures during the
summer prior to graduation.
10:09:32 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER explained her objection with the
following description of the two requirements: administration
of the test in grade 11 is in order to improve scores;
administration of the test in grade 12 is to demonstrate the
student's final level of skills. She said her preference was to
require a student to take the test in grade 12, knowing that a
student may take the test in grade 11, if desired.
10:10:37 AM
CHAIR SEATON cautioned that the department would not pay for the
test twice.
10:11:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON recalled that a student can take the
test as many times as he/she likes, but the state will pay to
have it certified just once.
10:12:17 AM
CHAIR SEATON clarified that the Worldwide Interactive Network
Inc., (WIN) test can be taken multiple times at no cost;
however, the WorkKeys assessment includes certification and will
be provided once.
10:12:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER concluded that if the intent of the test
is to replace the HSGQE, in the terms of informing employers and
postsecondary educators the level of skills a student has
achieved, then it needs to be administered in grade 12.
10:13:26 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON said she would like to have further
discussion, as the committee's action may be influenced by the
Moore v. State legal decision. She also requested legal advice
from outside counsel on whether the HSGQE is unconstitutional.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER said he would also appreciate more time to
study the bill. He expressed his understanding that removing
the HSGQE will be perceived as "taking away the bar" for the
education system, in spite of the failure of the HSGQE to serve
its purpose.
10:16:10 AM
CHAIR SEATON withdrew Amendment 1, and said HB 206, Version C,
was held for further consideration of its two elements, the
WorkKeys assessment, and the removal of the "high stakes" aspect
of the HSGQE.
[HB 206 was held over.]
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