Legislature(2013 - 2014)CAPITOL 106
02/07/2014 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB278 | |
| HB220 | |
| HJR1 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 278 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 245 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HJR 1 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | HB 220 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 220-REPEAL SECONDARY SCHOOL EXIT EXAM
8:47:21 AM
CHAIR GATTIS announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 220, "An Act repealing the secondary student
competency examination and related requirements; and providing
for an effective date."
CHAIR GATTIS added that testimony for both HB 220 and the
preceding bill, HB 278, would be taken jointly; as the topic in
both pertains to the High School Graduation Qualifying Exam
(HSGQE).
8:48:43 AM
REPRESENTATIVE REINBOLD moved to adopt the proposed Committee
Substitute (CS) for HB 220, labeled 28-LS0947\U, Mischel,
2/6/14.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON objected to hear the proposed changes.
8:49:02 AM
THOMAS STUDLER, Staff, Representative Pete Higgins, Alaska State
Legislature, pointed out that the CS makes two changes to the
original bill. First, a section has been added to allow a
sunset period for completing the test, until 2017; secondly the
effective date has been changed from 7/1/2014, to 9/1/2014.
8:49:41 AM
CHAIR GATTIS noted that this is the transitional language,
alluded to by the EED Commissioner, Mike Hanley, during the
previous bill discussion on HB 278.
8:49:59 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON removed his objection. Without further
objection, Version U was before the committee.
8:50:13 AM
MR. STUDLER said that HB 278 includes comprehensive discussion
of school examinations, beyond the scope of HB 220; however, two
sections are identical.
8:51:22 AM
CHAIR GATTIS recapped that HB 220 is titled to address the HSGQE
only, whereas HB 278 includes considerations of other tests and
assessments, including the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT),
American College Testing (ACT), or WorkKeys.
8:51:43 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON expressed plans to offer an amendment to
remove Sec. 6 of HB 278, effectively removing the three year
transitional language, and cited that approximately 80 students
per year might benefit by the legislation, at a cost of $1.3
million. Alternatives to accomplish the same end exist, such as
the availability of the general educational development (GED),
he said, and underscored the need to consider fiscal
responsibility.
8:53:13 AM
CHAIR GATTIS asserted that the test is a state mandate for every
graduate. She acknowledged the high cost of offering the
extended exam period and pointed out that it is also expensive,
monetarily and socially, for anyone who doesn't hold a diploma.
She said it is a challenge to equate the balance.
8:53:38 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND recalled the discussion regarding the
contract that exists with the provider of the test, and
suggested a more timely elimination may not be possible
depending on the terms of agreement.
8:53:59 AM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX pointed out that current statute may
already include proviso for re-testing, and the effects will
need to be considered. Additionally, she commented that a
retroactive effective date may solve the issue. Agreement
appears to exist that at some point the HSGQE ceased to serve
its intended purpose, she observed, and suggested awarding
everyone a diploma that from that established point forward.
8:54:59 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON agreed that either a transition period
or a retroactive date could be necessary or a legal challenge
may arise.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON stated his understanding that only
students from the current school year would be a concern, and
they would have notice to accomplish any re-testing within a
plausible time frame; 9/1/14.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked why not eliminate the HSGQE
immediately, rather than go through the complete exercise in
May, 2014.
MR. STUDLER said, "Good point."
8:57:00 AM
MIKE COONS stated opposition to HB 220 and Sec. 2 of HB 278,
paraphrasing from a prepared statement, which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
I am in favor of the vast majority of HB 278, however,
I do object to Section 2. I oppose HB 220
transitional aspects.
I propose changing Section 2 to read:
Lines 12-18 change to read: Sec. 14.03.075. College
and career assessments.
(a) A student shall be issued a secondary school
diploma upon completing all required course study
throughout High School with a 2.0 GPA or higher.
(b) A student who fails to qualify for the issuance
of a diploma under
(a) of this section will be held back so the student
can retake the needed courses to meet the 2.0 GPA
requirement, upon successful completion the diploma
will be issued.
I have spoken to this in the exit exam bills, both
House and Senate opposing transition and my proposal
here mirrors the proposal for changing transition in
SB 111.
To Rep LeDoux and Seaton. Administration last week
testified that last year 700 kids did not pass the
exit exam. If I'm not mistaken, this was not failures
by handicapped. These kids are in the workforce and
I'm sure not having a sheep skin is giving them some
problems, but if they are smart they will get the
transcripts of High School and give to employer's.
Lastly, my last employer had nothing asking for
WorkKeys test results, just if graduated High School.
Remember, these young adults are entry level
employee's and not seeking jobs that are in need of
high level of knowledge, education and experience. If
I take a WorkKeys, at age 61 along with 42 years of
work experience that will have a bigger impact on
employment over that of a 18 year old with no work
experience and a foundation of education.
9:00:11 AM
DAVID NEES stated opposition to HB 220 and Sec. 2 of HB 278. He
said a high school diploma is a document that is often requested
when a person applies for work or enlists in the military. He
recalled that the initial installation of the test occurred in
1998, but with only 50 percent of the high school seniors able
to successfully pass, it was re-normed in 2002 to the current
standard. Reading skills have gone from 29 percent non-
proficient to 16 percent, indicating a good level of progress.
However, writing and math continue to be areas where students
struggle to grasp the concepts, as indicated by low test scores.
The seven years period, 2005-2012, has seen graduation rates
increase by eight percent, from 61-69, which does not appear to
directly co-relate to the HSGQE. The State Board of Education
is charged with improving academic achievement for all students;
however; he opined, eliminating this exam does not accomplish
that goal, rather it dilutes the test. He rhetorically asked,
"Do you really want to go to a doctor or a lawyer who has not
passed their exam?" He maintained that the HSGQE is the exam
that answers the question, "Do you know what it takes to be a
high school [graduate]?" Studies, he noted, indicate that
student assessment scores from fifth grade, directly reflect
high school graduation assessment scores. Reviewing the 2013
statistics for the total Alaska graduates taking the HSGQE, he
reported that for the last 15 years, an average of 200 students
do not pass this test. The majority of the students do pass and
employers and military recruiters understand these percentages.
However, the University of Alaska system indicates that 30
percent of continuing education students require remediation;
lacking skills in math and writing, the very areas showing no
improvement across the state for the last 15 years. This is the
only legislation setting an educational floor as required under
the Moore, et al. v. State of Alaska, 3AN-04-9756 CI, (2010)
decision, unless the Legislature sets an education floor other
than the HSGQE.
9:04:54 AM
MARY NANUWAK expressed support for education in general and said
the combined federal, state, and local efforts are important.
9:07:06 AM
POSIE BOGGS questioned the state reading assessment standards in
comparison to the national standards, which appear to require
greater proficiency. She expressed concern for state reading
levels and suggested that an investigation of the discrepancy in
the test scores might be in order.
9:08:45 AM
CHAIR GATTIS closed public testimony on HB 220, and stipulated
that the public testimony would remain open on HB 278.
9:09:05 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved Conceptual Amendment 1 to Sec. 6 as
follows:
Page 4, lines 23-29:
Delete all language.
CHAIR GATTIS objected for discussion.
9:09:35 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON explained that the students have adequate
time to retake the test, additionally, the provider contract is
ending. He said extending the contract for an additional three
years is an expensive undertaking and there is an alternative
pathway for students to receive an equivalency diploma via the
GED exam.
9:10:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked for clarity from the department
regarding contractual obligations.
The committee took an at-ease at 9:11 a.m.
9:11:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON withdrew Conceptual Amendment 1.
9:12:36 AM
CHAIR GATTIS announced HB 220 was held over.