03/26/2010 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmations for Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development | |
| HB110 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| = | HB 110 | ||
| = | HB 360 | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 26, 2010
8:01 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Kevin Meyer, Co-Chair
Senator Joe Thomas, Co-Chair
Senator Bettye Davis, Vice Chair
Senator Charlie Huggins
Senator Donald Olson
Senator Gary Stevens
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE ALASKA STATE BOARD OF
EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 110(HSS)
"An Act relating to the practice and licensing of
psychologists."
- MOVED CSHB 110(HSS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 360(EDC)
"An Act relating to the provision of information regarding a
student by a school district to the Department of Military and
Veterans' Affairs, Alaska Challenge Youth Academy."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 110
SHORT TITLE: PSYCHOLOGISTS' LICENSING & PRACTICE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HERRON
02/04/09 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/04/09 (H) HSS, L&C
03/19/09 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/19/09 (H) Heard & Held
03/19/09 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
01/28/10 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
01/28/10 (H) Moved CSHB 110(HSS) Out of Committee
01/28/10 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
01/29/10 (H) HSS RPT CS(HSS) 6DP 1NR
01/29/10 (H) DP: HOLMES, T.WILSON, SEATON, LYNN,
CISSNA, HERRON
01/29/10 (H) NR: KELLER
02/17/10 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
02/17/10 (H) Moved CSHB 110(HSS) Out of Committee
02/17/10 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
02/19/10 (H) L&C RPT CS(HSS) 2DP 3NR
02/19/10 (H) DP: HOLMES, T.WILSON
02/19/10 (H) NR: BUCH, NEUMAN, OLSON
02/24/10 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
02/24/10 (H) VERSION: CSHB 110(HSS)
02/26/10 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/26/10 (S) EDC, L&C
03/19/10 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/19/10 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/26/10 (S) EDC AT 8:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
JAMES MERRINER, Site Administrator
Interior Distance Education of Alaska (IDEA)
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented professional background and
answered questions on appointment to the Alaska State Board of
Education and Early Development.
ESTHER COX, Chair
State Board of Education
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented professional background and
answered questions on appointment to the Alaska State Board of
Education and Early Development.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 110.
DR. PHILLIP BAKER, Legislative Chair
Alaska Psychological Association
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported HB 110.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:01:45 AM
CO-CHAIR JOE THOMAS called the Senate Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:01 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Huggins, Olson, Stevens, Davis, Meyer and
Thomas.
^Confirmations for Alaska State Board of Education and Early
Development
8:02:18 AM
CO-CHAIR THOMAS announced that the first order of business would
be to hear from perspective appointees to the Alaska State Board
of Education and Early Development.
8:03:06 AM
JAMES MERRINER, Site Administrator, Interior Distance Education
of Alaska (IDEA), introduced himself and said that he has
dedicated his professional life to the youth of Alaska and is
honored to be considered for the board. He said he is excited
for where they are as a state and what is happening nationally
on the educational landscape as well. He also mentioned that he
is very supportive about the Governor's Performance Scholarship
(GPS) bill.
He said he believes he brings a lot to the table in terms of his
experiences. He attended public and private schools and was home
schooled for a time as a student. And, as an adult, has worked
in all of those arenas, and as a professional educator. He feels
strongly about who he is as an educator and the experience that
he brings.
SENATOR STEVENS asked how he thinks the state can improve the
rate of graduation from college.
MR. MERRINER answered that he thinks the GPS could help a lot.
With the national standards, he said, he is still wrestling with
certain aspects, but he sees the potential benefits for the
state's students to be compared nationally. He believes that, in
terms of the high school exit exam, they need to stay where they
are in regards to accountability for students for right now.
8:07:18 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS said that he has been hearing about what Newark
and New York City are doing in their educational system and
their focus on the quality of teachers. He asked what Mr.
Merriner's thoughts are on this topic and the decision on which
teachers stay and which ones go during time of fund shortages.
MR. MERRINER answered that the quality of teachers is essential.
In his job experience as a site administrator he is looking for
someone who not only has the qualifications but who can connect
with students on a personal level. There are obviously struggles
and challenges when you have a tenured teacher who doesn't meet
those qualifications. He said he is excited for some of the talk
on a national level on how to address these issues.
SENATOR HUGGINS referred to conversations with people who are
home schooled or participate in distance education he
understands it is relative easy for them to receive the rigorous
curriculum that is necessary to participate in the GPS.
MR. MERRINER answered that is true.
SENATOR OLSON asked why he left Kipnuk in the middle of the
year.
MR. MERRINER said that Governor Parnell called him out of the
blue right after her was elected as lieutenant governor and
asked him to be his chief of staff.
SENATOR STEVENS said, while he would have voted against it if he
had been present, this committee moved a bill to remove the high
school exit exam. He asked Mr. Merriner to clarify the school
board's position and his position on this.
MR. MERRINER answered that the board is not in favor of doing
away with the exit exam because they don't feel there is a good
replacement to keep students accountable.
CO-CHAIR THOMAS said that those on the committee who wished to
repeal it did so because they felt that the current test was not
a real measure of high school education.
SENATOR DAVIS asked what other measures Mr. Merriner would like
to see in place before getting rid of the exit exam.
MR. MERRINER replied that he simply meant that the exit exam
should stay in place until they see an alternative to it that is
viable and can hold students to a standard.
8:14:47 AM
ESTHER COX, Chair, Alaska State Board of Education, said she has
done just about everything a secondary administrator can do in
the Anchorage school district. She has served as chair of the
state board for the last three years and thinks the board has
done some good things.
She said when Larry LeDoux came on as Commissioner of the
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), one of the
first things he said is that the state doesn't really have an
educational plan. That began discussions on issues that are
being discussed at the legislature such as graduation rates,
career and technical schools, teacher quality, etc. As far as
teacher quality goes, one thing they are doing is requiring
substantive work within a teacher's discipline for
recertification. Also, another point of discussion for the board
is to require an induction time that would be required for
teachers new to Alaska. This program would give a real insight
into Alaskan culture and teaching Alaskan children.
The other thing that is happening, she said, is that they have a
teacher mentoring program that is wildly successful. These
mentors spend face to face time with teachers, particularly in
rural Alaska, to improve the quality of teachers throughout the
state. They are also working on career and technical education
delivery systems. Kids learn in different ways and what they are
doing in this state is offering options to accommodate different
learning styles.
Personally, she said, when they really get serious, they also
need to address the school calendar and schedule.
8:19:57 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS said the committee has a bill that addresses the
facilities for charter schools. He asked her to ensure that the
board works with them to facilitate that program.
MS. COX replied that she saw that bill recently and confirmed
that facilities are very much an issue.
SENATOR STEVENS said he has noticed how little high school
students know about government and he is shocked at times by the
questions they ask. He asked how they better educate their
children in those areas.
MS. COX answered that in high school a government class is
required for graduation. They also have an Alaska history class
that is the board has mandated. Civics is not required but
students do take history through eighth grade and certain
aspects of history that are required in high school. She said
she doesn't really have an answer for that question. She thinks
that, maybe, students take their citizenship for granted. Kids
who get involved and see government in action tend to understand
it better. Perhaps, she said, this should be looked at on a
curriculum basis.
SENATOR DAVIS asked Ms. Cox, in regards to the high school exit
exam, about the time when the board had concern about it and had
requested the commissioner to look into alternatives or the
possibility of eliminating it. She wondered why she had a
concern about the exam at that time and no longer has one.
MS. COX responded that she isn't necessarily a supporter of the
exit exam. However, she is in favor of accountability. This exam
is a minimal competency exam, but it does show some
accountability. She doesn't think this is the time to change it
because the educational landscape is changing so rapidly. No
Child Left Behind (NCLB) is going to change radically; the
national administration wants everyone to sign on to common
core, etc. So until they decide what should be used to replace
this accountability measure, she isn't willing to do away with
the exam.
She added that she has heartburn over the term "minimal". There
is a lot of talk about a rigorous curriculum and it is one thing
she really likes about the GPS. But she believes that the exit
exam should be kept until there is a better replacement.
SENATOR DAVIS said she appreciates the answer, but wants to know
was why the board was concerned then and not now.
MS. COX responded that she does not recall the board saying they
need to do away with the exit exam. The board has said that they
need to be looking for a better alternative. She said many
states are going towards exit exams. She repeated that she is
not aware of any time that the board recommended doing away with
it.
SENATOR DAVIS said she received a memo saying they wanted the
exam looked at because they felt something should replace it.
CO-CHAIR THOMAS commented that they have been educating people
in that state for 50 years and Commissioner LeDoux's statement
that the state doesn't have a good plan in place, is commentary
that there needs to be a change. He feels that the board should
address not only teaching recertification, but of replacing the
exit exam with something more relevant within the next 18
months.
8:30:52 AM
SENATOR OLSON asked for Ms. Cox's thoughts on WorkKeys replacing
the current exit exam.
MS. COX answered that she likes WorkKeys. She isn't sure whether
it is appropriate for both college and career assessment. What
she likes about the test is that it gives different levels and
is a good counseling tool.
SENATOR OLSON said, looking at her resume, he sees little rural
education experience on her resume compared to some other
candidates, including Mr. Merriner.
MS. COX responded that he is correct; she does not have any
rural experience. But, she believes her urban experience also
needs to be included on the board. Others can bring the rural
perspective, but the urban perspective needs to be there as
well.
8:33:12 AM
CO-CHAIR THOMAS thanked the candidates and said the committee
will pass their names on to the next committee.
CO-CHAIR MEYER moved that Ms. Cox and Mr. Merriner's names be
moved on to the next committee of referral for consideration.
SENATOR STEVENS commented that he hopes they can develop more
meaningful dialog between the board and the committee.
CO-CHAIR THOMAS said that there being no objection, the motion
carried.
HB 110-PSYCHOLOGISTS' LICENSING & PRACTICE
8:34:33 AM
CO-CHAIR THOMAS announced consideration of HB 110 [CSHB 110
(HSS) 26-LS0474\R was before the committee].
8:34:56 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON, sponsor of HB 110, said HB 110 hopes to
clarify the current statute regarding the licensing and
regulation of psychologists in Alaska. It aligns the exams that
are available and clarifies who can practice psychology and the
associated practices with it. School physiologists and
government employees can practice outside of the current
statutes. It does not limit the work of mental health service
providers in Alaska.
SENATOR OLSON asked if the department supports this.
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS replied yes.
CO-CHAIR THOMAS commented that there are a variety of letters of
support accompanying the bill.
SENATOR DAVIS said she is in support of HB 110.
8:37:26 AM
DR. PHILLIP BAKER, Legislative Chair, Alaska Psychological
Association, said they cosponsored this bill with the Psychology
Licensing Board and the purpose was to clarify some of the
wording in the original psychology license in 1963 which tried
to identify who could call themselves psychologists and provide
psychological services. To have a license at the time, because
it was the only mental health license on the books, the
definition had to be fairly broad to allow people working in
government agencies and other mental health organizations to be
licensed. Time has passed and four other types of licenses have
been put on the books that clarify other mental health services
that do not need to be provided by doctor level psychologists.
It is time to clean up the legislation because as it stands,
people who are not trained psychologists can legally specify
themselves as such. They are trying to close this loophole. They
do not intend to exclude anybody from providing mental health
services, only that they could not advertise themselves as
licensed psychologists.
8:40:42 AM
SENATOR STEVENS said he doesn't like the idea that someone who
hasn't passed the exam could call themselves a psychologist. He
asked Dr. Baker to provide some statistics on who are the
individuals who are failing this exam.
DR. BAKER answered that the pass rate on the first try is about
65 to 70 percent, so it is fairly rigorous. He took the test
twice before he passed. He does not have specifics on how many
people in the state have or have not passed the exam. It is
designed to ensure that people who are not qualified cannot
treat or evaluate our citizens. He agreed that this is very
pertinent.
SENATOR HUGGINS brought the committee's attention to page 2,
section 2. He asked if people who have been practicing will have
to take the exam or will they receive grandfather rights.
DR. BAKER said those in government service have rather strict
regulations and the requirement is they have to have a
psychology license. That may not always have been the case, but
it certainly is now. Their main concern, he explained, is that
they have had several instances in which persons applied to work
as psychologists in rural settings specifically in the state and
it turns out they were not licensed.
SENATOR HUGGINS clarified that what he wants to know is if
someone has been working for several years in the field, do they
have to take this test.
DR. BAKER answered that it would depend upon what type of
services they are offering. If they are offering services that
are restricted to psychologists, such as specific psychological
tests, then they must take the exam.
SENATOR STEVENS asked if this is a standardized test that is
used by other states.
DR. BAKER replied that it is a national standardized exam.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON returned to Senator Huggins' question and
said that the answer is "yes."
8:46:53 AM
SENATOR OLSON asked what the thinking is behind the six months
between the retaking of the exam.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON replied that he did not know.
DR. BAKER answered that this is from the original wording of the
license statute from 1963 and was implemented to give people six
months to study before re-taking it. Other licensing
requirements do not stipulate a specific time interval. It is up
to the board.
SENATOR OLSON said when he was taking the medical exam, he
wondered what relevance it had to do with his practice of
medicine. He wondered how much relevance this exam has.
SENATOR STEVENS asked if there was a limit for how many times an
individual can retake the exam.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON replied that they can keep trying.
DR. BAKER responded that after an individual tries to take the
exam two or three times, the board will usually encourage the
individual to get further training before petitioning to take it
again. He pointed out that, in addition to the national exam,
applicants generally have to pass a state exam on statutes and
regulations that pertain to the state.
SENATOR STEVENS asked for confirmation that there is a governing
body overseeing these exam applicants.
DR. BAKER confirmed that the national testing organization
collects and scores all the examinations and then reports to the
Psychological State Board. It is then the scope of work of the
licensing board to discuss the matter with applicants who did
not pass. The exam covers about eight different areas of human
development, research, and practice and treatment of varying
problems in human development.
SENATOR OLSON asked how often they see malpractice cases against
the licensee.
DR. BAKER said that would be more appropriately directed to the
Psychology Licensing Board, but he thinks they have seen two or
three cases since 1963. The process is that complaints come to
the licensing examiner and, if the complaint has merit, it is
referred to the member of that licensing board and then to the
Attorney General's office if necessary.
8:54:14 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER moved to adopt the proposed CSHB 110(HSS) Version
R, as the committee's working document. There being no
objection, the motion carried.
8:55:47 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER moved to report the CS for HB 110, version R,
from committee with attached fiscal note(s) with individual
recommendations. There being no objection, CSHB 110(HSS) moved
from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.
8:57:05 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
CO-CHAIR THOMAS adjourned the Senate Health and Social Services
Standing Committee meeting at 8:57 a.m.
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