Legislature(2019 - 2020)DAVIS 106
03/02/2020 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB136 | |
| HB260 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 260 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 136 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 260-STATE EDUCATION POLICY: EARLY CHILDHOOD
[Contains discussion of HB 181, HB 136, and SB 6.]
9:30:50 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the final order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 260 "An Act relating to the state
education policy."
9:31:18 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GERAN TARR, Alaska State Legislature, presented
HB 260 as prime sponsor and offered her availability for
questions or further discussion of HB 260.
9:31:57 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND suggested that HB 181, HB 136, and HB 260 are
conceptually similar and would shape DEED's approach to SEL
standards and practices and child development, but they remain
separate proposed legislation.
9:32:15 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY requested that Representative Tarr explain the
concepts of restorative practices as proposed under HB 260.
9:32:39 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR recalled work that had taken place during
restorative justice summits and noted that restorative practices
and SEL fall under a wider umbrella of trauma-informed approach
to learning. She suggested that HB 260 was drafted with the
intent and addresses these concepts from the broader umbrella
perspective. She recalled that Senate Bill 105 [passed into law
during the Thirtieth Alaska State Legislature] instructed
trauma-informed approach to the Department of Health & Social
Services, whereas HB 260 is instructive to DEED. She referenced
AS 14.03.015 and opined that it is brief and lacking. She
emphasized her belief and experience that changes proposed to
education policy should be undertaken with caution and a
measured and deliberate approach to include the educational
community in the development of policy.
9:34:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR noted that work has been taking place over
the last four years to shape the proposed legislation and
include stakeholder input from Anchorage, Fairbanks, Palmer,
Wasilla, Valdez, Homer, Sitka, Juneau, Bethel, Chevak, Chignik,
and Kwethluk. She explained that stakeholder feedback revealed
a consensus to include trauma-informed approach to education
policy, and that local districts and schools deploy that
approach in SEL, restorative practices, and other strategies.
She recalled previous testimony in which witnesses revealed that
students experience trauma and bring it with them to school.
She explained that HB 260 would serve to orient thinking towards
trauma-informed approach as compared to a policy mandate. She
noted that the State of Alaska conducts a significant level of
crisis intervention, and the bill was drafted with the intent of
prevention.
9:36:13 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY proffered that the proposed legislation would be
a policy statement regarding social/emotional learning and the
addition of mental health education standards.
9:36:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR indicated that research conducted during the
formation of HB 260 from a variety of locations throughout the
country revealed a desired trend from educators and stakeholders
wherein policy intent is stated, and SEL and other standards can
be deployed with local and culturally relevant implementation.
9:37:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR noted that SB 6 is a detailed bill that
contains funding considerations and, comparatively, HB 260 is
intended to inform overall policy formation and imparts a
gradual approach to policy reform. She indicated her support
for SB 6, HB 136, and HB 181 and expressed hope that funds will
be made available for implementation of these and other
legislation which trend toward a trauma-informed approach to
education.
9:37:51 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND restated the concept of "orienting our
thinking" as a suitable description of the intent of the
proposed language.
9:37:56 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX referred to AS 14.03.015 as consisting of
only one paragraph and inquired how adding a subsection "b"
would occur when there exists no subsection "a" currently.
9:38:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR explained that this is due to the technical
draft requirements as provided by the "revisor of statutes" and,
if passed, the subsections would appear as intended.
9:38:59 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX opined that AS 14.03.015 is a broad
statement and asked whether the intent could be accomplished
without amending statute, to avoid any unintended consequences
that might result.
9:39:44 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR indicated that the proposed legislation
included stakeholder feedback and reflects the modern classroom
environment, and the policy statement under the proposed
legislation would codify the need to meet the issues that are
confronted in the classroom.
9:41:33 AM
KATIE BOTZ shared her personal experience of assault that she
endured as a school aged child. She explained that the stigma
surrounding sexual abuse perpetuated her abuse, and the criminal
justice process that ensued interfered greatly with her
education. She indicated that in her job as a school bus driver
she has noticed and is sympathetic toward children who may not
exhibit outward signs of trauma and abuse.
9:45:20 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK expressed his gratitude for the courage
demonstrated by the public testimony Ms. Botz had provided.
9:45:44 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND closed public testimony on HB 260 and
announced that the bill would be held over.
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