Legislature(2011 - 2012)SENATE FINANCE 532
01/30/2012 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB9 | |
| SB137 | |
| SCR2 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 9 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 137 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SCR 2 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 9
"An Act relating to compulsory school attendance; and
relating to the crime of contributing to the
delinquency of a minor."
9:04:13 AM
THOMAS OBERMEYER, STAFF, SENATOR BETTYE DAVIS, explained SB
9. He referred to the Sponsor Statement (copy on file). He
stated that SB 9 would change the Alaska compulsory school
attendance ages from 7-16 to 6-18. At the same time, it
necessarily amends the criminal statute of contributing to
the delinquency of a minor from the maximum age of 16 to
18. The legislative intent of the bill was to require all
students to start school earlier when their brains are
growing and developing at a dramatic rate from birth to age
seven, and to stay in school long enough to graduate. The
bill allowed earlier identification of children with
learning disabilities and more time to take successful
corrective action. The bill would not preclude parents from
homeschooling children, using charter or alternative
school, or any other of the twelve enumerated exceptions to
compulsory education under AS 14.30.010(b), including
completion of grade 12 or graduation from a secondary
school before age 18.
Mr. Obermeyer explained that the Alaska compulsory school
age statute was out of date with modern educational
practice and thinking. The law had not changed since
territorial days when few children attended school beyond
eighth grade or bothered to graduate, because most jobs did
not require much education. The majority of Alaskan
students were currently in school by age six and many by
the minimum age five. Head Start and prekindergarten
programs were growing in popularity. The state already
funded a pilot prekindergarten program and SB 6 proposed
funding such a program statewide.
9:09:56 AM
Mr. Obermeyer explained the Sectional Summary (copy on
file). He stated that Section 1 would raise the age from 16
to 18 for the crime of contributing to the delinquency of a
minor for repeated absences from school. He explained that
Section 2 would raise the compulsory school age from 16 to
18. He noted that Section 3 would amend an exception to the
compulsory school attendance age to provide for graduation
for a secondary school. He also referred to the high
dropout rates in Alaska.
SENATOR BETTYE DAVIS, stressed the importance of students
to attend school, and receive a high school diploma. She
pointed out that students would not be required to stay in
school until the age of eighteen.
Senator Thomas noted that there was a shift in the age of
the workforce. He appreciated the change from 16 to 18. He
queried the perspective of communities that have a focus on
farming. Senator Davis could not comment on the farming
communities.
Co-Chair Stedman noted the fiscal impact note from the
Department of Education and Early Development.
9:15:43 AM
ANNE KILKENNY, MATSU (via teleconference), spoke in support
of SB 9. She pointed out that her son had the desire to
stop attending school at age 16. She felt that the bill was
unenforceable without truancy officers, but would rather
focus the money on teachers. She requested a tying the
receipt of the Permanent Fund Dividend with school
Senator Olson queried the bill sponsor's perspective on
tying the receipt of the Permanent Fund Dividend with
school attendance. Senator Davis stated that she was open
to discussion. She pointed out that the state had not had
truancy officers in many years. She noted that the bill
would allow students to stay in school and encourage
students to focus on graduation.
Senator Olson queried the recent success of the truancy
officers in Juneau. Senator Davis stated that the district
felt the truancy officer enforcement was beneficial,
although employing truancy officers was ultimately too
expensive.
Senator Bettye Davis thanked the committee for hearing the
bill.
SB 9 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.