Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
03/24/2021 09:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s) | |
| SB72 | |
| SB111 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 72 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 24, 2021
9:03 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Roger Holland, Chair
Senator Gary Stevens, Vice Chair
Senator Shelley Hughes
Senator Peter Micciche
Senator Tom Begich
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Danette Peterson - Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
SENATE BILL NO. 72
"An Act relating to civics education, civics examinations, and
secondary school graduation requirements; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED CSSB 72(EDC) OUT OF COMMITTEE
Motion to approve 32-LS0485\W as a Senate Education Standing
Committee bill for introduction to the Senate.
- MOTION PASSED
SENATE BILL NO. 6
"An Act relating to retirement incentives for members of the
defined benefit retirement plan of the teachers' retirement
system and the defined benefit retirement plan of the Public
Employees' Retirement System of Alaska; and providing for an
effective date."
- BILL HEARING CANCELED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 72
SHORT TITLE: SEC. SCHOOL CIVICS EDUCATION
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) STEVENS
02/05/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/05/21 (S) EDC, CRA
03/10/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
03/10/21 (S) Heard & Held
03/10/21 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
03/19/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
03/19/21 (S) -- Invited & Public Testimony --
03/22/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
03/22/21 (S) Scheduled but Not Heard
03/24/21 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
DANETTE PETERSON, Appointee
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the governor's appointee to the
Professional Teaching Practices Commission.
TIM LAMKIN, Staff
Senator Gary Stevens
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the committee substitute for SB
72.
JULIE TRUSKOWSKI, State Coordinator
We The People
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 72.
DAVID NEES, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in favor of SB 72.
JOANNA WASSILLIE, representing self
White Mountain, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in favor of SB 72.
CHRISTINE HUTCHISON, representing self
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in favor of SB 72.
ACTION NARRATIVE
9:03:34 AM
CHAIR ROGER HOLLAND called the Senate Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Stevens, Begich, Hughes, Micciche, and Chair
Holland.
^Confirmation Hearing(s)
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
9:04:10 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND announced the confirmation hearing of Danette
Peterson to Professional Teaching Practices Commission.
9:04:37 AM
DANETTE PETERSON, Appointee, Professional Teaching Practices
Commission, Fairbanks, Alaska, said her name was put forward for
the Professional Teaching Practices Commission (PTPC) by the
Fairbanks Education Association. She is from Chicago, earned a
Juris Doctor degree, practiced law in Chicago for about 11
years, and then got a teaching certificate and master's degree
as a reading specialist and literacy coach. Education is her
second career, but it has always been a passion.
MS. PETERSON said she has taught middle school and high school
and gifted education. She is now at Hutchinson High School, a
career and technical education (CTE) program. She has been a BP
teacher of the year nominee for four years. She coaches We the
People and is involved with speech and debate and other school
activities. She has served on district committees and is part of
the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Education
accreditation committee. She has served in different roles with
the Fairbanks Education Association. She received an NEA grant
for an early career education mentoring program for new
teachers.
MS. PETERSON said that as an educator, it is her mission that
students enter communities as active, informed citizens, which
is a key aspect of maintaining any democracy. This means giving
back to the community. In her classes, students do not debate.
They discuss civilly. She wants students and colleagues to feel
empowered. In the education profession, all must act
professionally, including monitoring and discipling its own
members. No one relishes disciplining a fellow members of a
profession, but at times it is required in order to uphold the
high standards required of the profession and to benefit the
children of Alaska. All nine members of the PTPC act with one
common goal, to provide the best education possible for Alaska's
children. She interviewed with the governor's staff just before
the pandemic hit. So much has changed. The pandemic has
presented new challenges and new opportunities. PTPC may see
unique cases because of the pandemic. Educators should seek to
preserve the best aspects of teaching that resulted from the
pandemic. Some children who did not thrive in brick-and-mortar
classrooms succeeded with virtual learning. The pandemic shone a
light on diverse needs met by educational institutions. She
hopes to use her legal and educational background to benefit the
children of Alaska and all members of the state.
CHAIR HOLLAND noted that she has an impressive resume and is an
accomplished attorney and educator with awards and a grant
recipient.
SENATOR STEVENS shared that this is one of the finest interviews
he has heard. He appreciates her change of heart in leaving law
and to enter teaching. The PTPC is crucial and can remove
certifications from teachers. She understands those issues of
discipline. He is comfortable hearing that she can do the job.
SENATOR HUGHES shared that she was impressed with her resume.
The Education Committee will be hearing SB 72 regarding civics
education and Ms. Peterson has done many activities related to
civics, especially with We the People. She asked if Ms. Peterson
has had chance to look at SB 72 and has any insight about civics
education in the state.
MS. PETERSON said she has not looked at SB 72 but a year ago she
was a member of the curriculum committee that rewrote the social
studies curriculum in Fairbanks. The committee moved to
competencies and not just standards. The committee spent a lot
of time looking at civics because surveys showed the public
wanted it addressed more fully in this political climate. The
committee rewrote curriculum to infuse civics in each and every
course taught, not just government, so that students see
examples of how to be engaged in civics. That means bringing in
guest speakers, such as Alaska Supreme Court Judge Sue Carney.
Hutchinson High School was set to participate in We the People
nationally before the pandemic. Hutchinson High School
participates in Kids Voting, We the People, National History
Day. It has to be way of life and a habit and not a single
course.
CHAIR HOLLAND called on Senator Stevens.
9:20:49 AM
SENATOR STEVENS moved to recommend Ms. Peterson's appointment to
the PTPC be forwarded to a joint session for consideration.
9:21:05 AM
At ease
9:21:15 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND asked Senator Stevens to withdraw his motion.
9:21:25 AM
SENATOR STEVENS withdrew his motion.
9:21:30 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND opened public testimony and after ascertaining
there was none, closed public testimony. He solicited a motion.
9:21:55 AM
SENATOR STEVENS stated that in accordance with AS 39.05.080, the
Senate Education Standing Committee reviewed the following and
recommends the appointment be forwarded to a joint session for
consideration:
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Danette Peterson - Fairbanks
CHAIR HOLLAND reminded members that signing the reports
regarding appointments to boards and commissions in no way
reflects individual members' approval or disapproval of the
appointees; the nominations are merely forwarded to the full
legislature for confirmation or rejection.
9:22:30 AM
At ease
SB 72-SEC. SCHOOL CIVICS EDUCATION
9:24:16 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 72
"An Act relating to civics education, civics examinations, and
secondary school graduation requirements; and providing for an
effective date."
CHAIR HOLLAND noted that the committee had adopted the committee
substitute (CS) for SB 72, work order 32-LS0478\B, as the
working document and had heard public testimony. He asked the
bill sponsor, Senator Stevens, for any comments.
9:24:33 AM
At ease
9:24:46 AM
SENATOR GARY STEVENS, speaking as sponsor of SB 72, stated that
the committee substitute removes the need to pass an exam but
says that students will take the exam. It directs the Department
of Education and Early Development (DEED) to develop a unique,
Alaskan civics curriculum and assessment. The bill recognizes
the importance of including Alaska Native tribal governance
systems in the educational program.
SENATOR HUGHES shared that she preferred the previous version.
She is concerned about a teacher who has students who know they
don't have to pass a test they take. She hopes that won't be a
problem for teachers. If students take some courses as freshmen,
they might have trouble taking a test a few years later. The
committee heard one of most passionate speeches from
Commissioner Johnson about how necessary this bill is, and
holding students more accountable for passing the test would be
better. The committee substitute is an improvement over not
having civics education at all. She understands the feedback
from the districts. The transcript will show that students took
the test. She wishes the transcript would show whether students
passed or failed the exam, even if that would not prevent them
from graduating. Some students might be motivated by pride if
they knew it would show up on their transcripts. She does not
want to hand teachers a problem, and some districts may decide
to grade the test and incorporate it into a class. This is
better than the current status where it is possible that no or
minimal civics are taught.
SENATOR STEVENS said he appreciates her comments. At first, his
office thought it should be a high-stakes test but his office
learned from communities that there are some problems with that.
The key part of the committee substitute is that DEED will
develop curriculum and an assessment. As the committee just
heard from the Professional Teaching Practices Commission
appointee, that should be presented throughout the curriculum,
not just in one single class. He asked Mr. Lamkin to explain how
his office decided to remove the high-stakes exam.
SENATOR HUGHES said that it is good that the end of bill
requires that student performance on the assessment will be
reported to the legislature by district. Even though students
will not need a certain grade to get a diploma, the legislature
will learn how students are doing. That is a good feature.
9:29:34 AM
TIM LAMKIN, Staff, Senator Gary Stevens, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, said the bill reflects some
discussions with the department, particularly the commissioner,
and concerns about high-stakes exams. This seemed like a
reasonable approach, to put a greater emphasis on standards and
offer curriculum developed by Alaskans, as well as Alaska's own
unique assessment. That assessment will be taken and not
necessarily passed. It will first trigger a review of content
standards on government and citizenship that were adopted in
2006. It is timely to review and adjust them accordingly and to
reflect the system of government for the indigenous people of
Alaska.
SENATOR HUGHES asked if Alaska history or government is required
for graduation or if it is a district decision.
MR. LAMKIN replied there is no state requirement, although some
districts require it.
SENATOR MICCICHE echoed the concerns of Senator Hughes. He had a
recent conversation with another senator about getting a foot in
the door and proving its value over time and getting to the
point of being able to test to know that students are retaining
information. This goes way back. He read a Forbes article in
which Lincoln talked about teaching children reverence for the
Constitution and its laws lest the American democracy degenerate
into what he called "mobocratic" rule. In Reagan's farewell
address he echoed Lincoln and called for informed patriotism.
The article also spoke to the generational divide. Seventy-four
percent of senior citizens can pass the test but only 19 percent
of Americans under the age of 45 can answer even six of the 10
questions. Division in the country is based in part on an
essential misunderstanding of how government works and
functions. It causes part of the mistrust because "we the
people" don't understand the power they hold because they don't
understand the workings of government itself. It is incredibly
important and he is supportive of the bill. He does wish the
committee had pushed for a test. He will not get in the way of
the bill, and maybe a foot in the door is the right path at this
time.
CHAIR HOLLAND called on invited testimony.
9:33:39 AM
JULIE TRUSKOWSKI, State Coordinator, We The People, Anchorage,
Alaska, thanked the committee for the opportunity to speak about
the important topic of reinvigorating civics in public schools.
She is a retired, nationally board certified teacher with 28
years of experience in Alaska. She is the state coordinator for
the We the People program. It is a nationally-recognized
curriculum from the nonpartisan Center for Civics Education that
teaches civics competency and responsibility. Several
legislators have served as judges in the high school state
competition. We the People checks off quite a few boxes for
learning and assessing knowledge of civics and the Constitution.
The curriculum culminates in mock Congressional hearings. It
truly is educating for a purpose. In the era of unfunded
mandates and austere budgeting, We the People is cost effective
in that it already exists in many communities. Around 25
communities in the state already have We the People material on
hand, from many schools in the Anchorage and Fairbanks districts
to smaller schools. Those schools should already have textbooks.
That could be useful information as legislators move forward
with SB 72.
SENATOR STEVENS asked her about the issue of the high-stakes vs
removing the need for passing an exam.
MS. TRUSKOWSKI answered that if kids know there is
accountability, they will up their game. She agreed with Senator
Hughes. It is easy to overlook something with no accountability.
That might be what happened with civics education and why it has
fallen off the radar. Social studies in general is an unfunded
mandate with no accountability piece, so it gets overlooked and
pushed aside. She doesn't necessarily like the idea of an
assessment that is something like questions on the citizenship
test because it promotes rote learning instead of internalizing
knowledge and articulating what has been learned, which is what
We the People does.
9:37:34 AM
SENATOR HUGHES asked if We the People is an afterschool program
or done during the school day. She asked if any schools used We
the People as curriculum to meet government requirements.
MS. TRUSKOWSKI said that at the last national meeting of state
coordinators for We the People, she learned that Florida has a
civics test requirement for graduation. Nevada recently got
legislative funding for We the People to be taught in all
schools. It cannot be an afterschool program. It must be
incorporated into the curriculum. It can be time consuming but
it can be tailored to shorter amounts of time. She taught it in
sixth grade and used one of six units. This year the state
competition was virtual and only West Valley High School was
able to participate by using fewer components.
9:40:17 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND opened public testimony.
9:40:27 AM
DAVID NEES, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, said he is a
retired teacher who worked with student councils for years. He
is a fan of the civics bill. This is a good bill. Pulling the
citizenship test out takes the teeth out of it. Districts
usually say it is unfunded mandate. The argument is whether to
make it a stick or carrot. Students could get civics credit by
passing the citizenship test, and it could be regular credit if
they don't take the test. It could be an honors course if they
do pass the test. Another option is to allow We the People for
credit. These are ideas for carrots rather than sticks.
9:42:27 AM
JOANNA WASSILLIE, representing self, White Mountain, Alaska,
said that she appreciated the comments of Danette Peterson, the
Professional Teaching Practices Commission appointee who spoke
earlier. Ms. Wassillie is a high school and middle school
language arts and social studies teacher who is teaching
government now. She liked what Ms. Peterson said about civics
being taught across the curriculum, starting in younger grades.
Civics is an important part of citizenship and personal
development. All seem to agree that it needs to be bolstered in
the state and country. To make citizenship an intrinsic value
and strength in the state, this must begin at the younger
grades. As far as testing, her worry about passing a test as an
alternative to taking a course is that it would become more rote
learning as opposed to becoming an intrinsic and lifelong
practice for students. That is why she likes incorporating
civics standards across curriculum in all grade levels. She is
planning to look at using We the People next year.
9:44:50 AM
CHRISTINE HUTCHISON, representing self, Kenai, Alaska, said that
she is crazy about civics education for children and adults. She
participated with the local school board social studies
curriculum committee twice. Just teaching to the standards is
not sufficient. There must be a requirement that this be taught.
She is going to look into We the People. She would like to see
some type of testing. Lowering standards for any purpose is not
useful. If people don't learn and defend the Constitution, the
country is going to be in a very sad state as Senator Micciche
outlined. She is hopeful that this bill will become law. It is
critical to have a civics education requirement. This needs to
be pass. This is a feel-good, limited fiscal issue.
SENATOR MICCICHE said he has talked about this with Ms.
Hutchinson. He thanked her for calling. He would like to know
what she finds out about what the district is doing about this
topic and asked her to share anything she learns with the
committee.
9:48:52 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND closed public testimony. He solicited a motion.
9:49:27 AM
SENATOR STEVENS moved to report the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for SB 72, work order 32-LS0478\B, from
committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal
note(s).
CHAIR HOLLAND found no objection and CSSB 72 (EDC) was reported
from the Senate Education Standing Committee.
9:49:49 AM
At ease
9:52:53 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND reconvened the meeting and noted the committee had
an item to address. He solicited a motion.
9:53:05 AM
SENATOR STEVENS moved that the committee approve work order 32-
LS0485\W [subsequently numbered SB 111] as a Senate Education
Standing Committee bill for introduction to the Senate.
9:53:17 AM
SENATOR BEGICH objected. He said there are a number of different
bills before the body dealing with the general subject of the
power the chair would be granted under this motion. He said he
had hoped that the process that the Senate president initiated
would have led the committee to a piece of legislation that all
members of the committee could support. He has seen a draft of
the bill and he identified a number of areas that are deeply
problematic and do not reflect the bills that were discussed in
committee over four different hearings. While this bill is a
committee bill, he wants the public to know that he does not
support it at this time. He will speak to why he does not
support the bill as the committee goes through the process in
the hope that the bill that finally comes out of this committee
is one he can support.
9:54:59 AM
SENATOR BEGICH said he takes his role on the committee
seriously, as does each committee member. He continued to say:
We represent the leadership of this body on this
committee - the president, the minority leader, the
majority leader, and Rules chair. We have identified
that the key components, based on years and years and
years of research and work, both in-state and out-of-
state, focus on certain elements that have to come
together to make working legislation that has a
meaningful impact on families. At this time, having
extensively and personally reviewed the drafts, having
discussed those with you, I just don't see it here.
SENATOR BEGICH said he will address his questions and comments
when the bill is heard but he was withdrawing his objection at
this time.
9:55:33 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND found no further objection and announced the
motion passed.
9:55:54 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Holland adjourned the Senate Education Standing Committee
at 9:55 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB072_Civics_BillText_versionB.pdf |
SEDC 3/24/2021 9:00:00 AM |
SB 72 |
| SB072_Civics_Summary-of-Changes_Version A to B.pdf |
SEDC 3/24/2021 9:00:00 AM |
SB 72 |
| CSSB72 Fiscal Note.pdf |
SEDC 3/24/2021 9:00:00 AM |
SB 72 |
| Danette Peterson Resume_Redacted.pdf |
SEDC 3/24/2021 9:00:00 AM |