Legislature(2011 - 2012)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/28/2011 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB8 | |
| University of Alaska Chancellors' Presentation | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 8 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 8-STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRES AND SURVEYS
8:05:51 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER announced the consideration of SB 8.
SENATOR STEVENS said he has received concerns from parents who
want to make sure they receive the information about the survey
ahead of time so they can write a written denial of
participation for their child. He asked for an overview of the
opportunities parents will have to receive information on the
YRBS [Youth Risk Behavior Survey] and be able to take their
children out of the program if they do not want them
participating.
8:07:34 AM
THOMAS OBERMEYER, Staff to Senator Bettye Davis, sponsor of SB
8, replied that the notice requirements are located in section 2
of the bill. He explained that parents are first asked for
permission in the fall when their child is enrolling for
classes. At this time parents will sign a form that will or will
not allow their child to participate in questionnaires and
surveys.
SENATOR STEVENS asked how the parents get this information.
MR. OBERMEYER answered that there is a form available for
parents to sign located at the table where their child is
signing up for classes in the fall. He explained that the YRBS
is only offered biannually in the spring. For this reason,
another notice is given in writing to the parents before the
survey is administered. This letter notifies them about the
survey and instructs them to go online or contact the school for
details. SB 8 expands on the notification requirements to
parents. The main difference between the bill and the previous
method of administering the survey is that parents who have an
objection to the survey are asked to provide a written denial of
participation [page 2, lies 14-18]. He noted that the student
may also refuse to answer specific questions or participate in
the survey itself.
He stressed that neither the teacher nor the school will have an
opportunity to review the completed surveys. The surveys are
sent directly to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
SENATOR DAVIS said that page 2 of the bill lays out the
notification process for parents in detail. She reiterated that
on the day of the survey a student may refuse to take it. She
stressed that this method has worked in the past, more so than
the current method.
MR. OBERMEYER noted that Section 4 of the bill indicates that
the notice of the survey to parents must be given no later than
two weeks before the survey is administered.
SENATOR STEVENS said he understands the importance of this
survey. He asked if a letter or an e-mail is sent directly to
the parent about the survey.
SENATOR DAVIS replied that currently every school district is
different in how it notifies parents about this survey. She said
the bill will make all of the districts administer the
notification in the same way.
MR. OBERMEYER said there is nothing in the bill that indicates
whether the notice must be written or if an electronic method
will suffice. Currently, the notification method is more or less
up to the school districts.
CO-CHAIR MEYER said he feels comfortable with this bill because
the student can choose not to take the survey.
CO-CHAIR THOMAS said the objection to this bill has always been
that the parent has to be pro-active in order to stop their
child from taking the YRBS. He agreed that he does not have a
serious problem with this bill because students can opt out of
the survey.
8:18:36 AM
WARD HURLBURT, Director, Division of Public Health, Department
of Health and Social Services (DHSS), stated concern for SB 8.
He said he agrees that the proposed law would help obtain
important information. However, the survey does get to sensitive
and personal information about young people. He explained that
Governor Parnell has a deep commitment to strengthening Alaska's
families and the current policy does strengthen families and the
role of parents more than the opt-out provision contained in SB
8.
SENATOR FRENCH asked if he knows how the survey works.
MR. HULBURT replied that he does not know all of the details,
but he is familiar with the survey and has read the background
material.
SENATOR FRENCH asked if he listened to the hearing that the
committee held last Friday on the subject.
MR. HULBURT answered yes.
SENATOR FRENCH asked if he knew that the survey is filled out
anonymously and the information is compiled with complete
anonymity.
MR. HULBURT replied yes.
SENATOR FRENCH asked if he knows how important the information
obtained from this survey is in order for policy makers to have
an idea of what is happening to the youth of Alaska and the
nation.
MR. HULBURT replied yes. He agreed that the information from the
survey is important to DHSS in regards to both programs in
Alaska and obtaining federal grants.
SENATOR FRENCH said the current policy results in low compliance
rates. He asked how not knowing what is happening with Alaska's
youth strengthens families.
MR. HULBURT answered that concerns about particular questions
should be addressed to CDC. He explained that the questions are
intrusive and can be read in a way that makes a presumption of
certain kinds of activity that could upset parents. He said
while there are children that engage in negative activities,
there are many young people who do not. He said he respects
Governor Parnell's concerns and it is consistent with his
support of strong families and the engagement of parents.
8:23:42 AM
CO-CHAIR THOMAS asked if there are specific areas of the survey
that should be deleted or approached in a different manner.
DR. HULBURT replied he does not want to mislead the committee.
The questions have to be of sensitive origin in order to get the
information needed. He noted that this is not a part of the bill
or the sponsor's intent. However, the way the survey is
presented is meant to make students feel comfortable so they
will answer questions honestly. He explained that sometimes this
can come across with a presumption that they may be engaging in
behaviors that many students do not engage in.
SENATOR DAVIS said she appreciates the statement that he has
made. She said, as the head of Public Health, this particular
survey must be of importance to the department and allows it to
receive more federal funds. She asked whether changing the way
the survey is administered will be helpful in this light.
DR. HULBURT answered yes. This information is important to the
department and to society. He said he has not heard anything
from the governor's office which indicates that this information
is not important. The difference is that the governor believes
the "opt-in" provision ensures parents' engagement in the
survey. He stressed that this in no way lessens the importance
of the information or obtaining that information.
8:28:01 AM
SENATOR DAVIS said, in regards to the testimony heard last
Friday, it was stated that this survey is important and the
change that this bill offers would be a better way to get the
material needed. Not only are school districts putting their own
money into this survey, but the Department of Education and
Early Development (DEED) is also doing so. She said that
concerns on what the survey addresses and whether the questions
need to be changed should be addressed to CDC. She noted that
CDC does review the YRBS and change it from time to time. The
issue of "strengthening families" is located in this bill, which
allows parents to opt their child out of the survey. She said
she would not introduce a bill that would harm families. She
emphasized that most parents do not return the permission form
because they are too busy, not because they object to the survey
itself.
CO-CHAIR MEYER said he voiced his concerns on the survey on
Friday in regards to some of the questions. However, there are
important questions on the survey that allow law makers to
receive feedback on whether their bills addressing these topics
are effective. He said that there are several ways out of the
survey if people find it offensive and he is comfortable moving
the bill.
8:31:44 AM
CO-CHAIR THOMAS moved to report SB 8 from the committee with
individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note. There
being no objections, SB 8 moved from the Senate Education
Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 6 Sponsor Statement Rev 2-5-2011.pdf |
SEDC 2/28/2011 8:00:00 AM |
SB 6 |
| SB 6 Sectional Summary 27-LS0058M.pdf |
SEDC 2/28/2011 8:00:00 AM |
SB 6 |
| SB 6 NCSL Report - Early Ed 2008.pdf |
SEDC 2/28/2011 8:00:00 AM |
SB 6 |
| SB 6 Docs- Pilot Project -AP3 Year One Report.pdf |
SEDC 2/28/2011 8:00:00 AM |
SB 6 |
| SB 6 -Docs- Memo-LegLegl - Expl Sec 67.pdf |
SEDC 2/28/2011 8:00:00 AM |
SB 6 |
| SB 6 Docs - AK Pre-K project high marks-ADN 2-5-11.pdf |
SEDC 2/28/2011 8:00:00 AM |
SB 6 |
| United Way Letter - SB 8.pdf |
SEDC 2/28/2011 8:00:00 AM |
SB 8 |
| Judd Letter of Support SB 8.docx |
SEDC 2/28/2011 8:00:00 AM |
SB 8 |