Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/14/2023 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB81 | |
| SB29 | |
| SB98 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 81 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 29 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 98 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 29
"An Act relating to civics education, civics
assessments, and secondary school graduation
requirements; establishing the Alaska Civics Education
Commission; and providing for an effective date."
9:21:38 AM
SENATOR GARY STEVENS, SPONSOR, introduced the legislation.
9:24:26 AM
TIM LAMKIN, STAFF, SENATOR GARY STEVENS, introduced
himself.
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether a student would keep taking
the exam in order to succeed.
Senator Stevens replied in the affirmative.
9:25:35 AM
Co-Chair Olson queried the number of questions on the exam.
Senator Stevens replied that the exam was one hundred
questions.
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether the bill would be
considered an unfunded mandate.
Senator Stevens replied that he had heard that it would be
considered an unfunded mandate, but remarked that the state
funded education. He stressed that there was an expectation
in the school system that it provided the students with
what it means to be a citizen.
Co-Chair Olson wondered what kind of resistance had been
received against the legislation.
Senator Stevens deferred to Mr. Lamkin.
Mr. Lamkin explained that there was a component of the bill
that allowed repeating the test or taking a semester course
until receiving a passing grade.
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether there was a disadvantage
for the rural students.
Senator Stevens replied that that there was an account
taken into account for the rural students.
Senator Kiehl remarked that the state required three years
of social studies, and wondered whether the semester of
civics could be considered a social studies requirement.
Mr. Lamkin replied that the bill did not mean to be
prescriptive, and allowed for the current local control.
9:31:12 AM
CHUCK CORRA, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, COALITIONS AND POLICY
RESEARCH AT GENERATION CITIZEN, WEST VIRGINIA (via
teleconference), testified in support of the bill.
9:34:57 AM
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether West Virginia had a similar
requirement.
Mr. Corra agreed to provide that information.
Co-Chair Olson asked about the requirement for every state.
9:35:31 AM
Mr. Corra replied that it depended on the state.
Mr. Lamkin furthered that there was a document on file that
showed what other states were doing as related to the
states. He stated that West Virginia required a civics
assessment for graduated.
9:36:51 AM
LISA BOUDREAU, DIRECTOR, STATE POLICY AT CIVX NOW, JUNEAU
(via teleconference), read from a prepared statement:
Good afternoon, I'd like to thank the three co-chairs,
Stedman, Hoffman and Olsen and the other honorable
members of the Committee. It's an honor to testify
before the Alaska Senate Finance Committee.
My name is Lisa Boudreau, and I serve as Director of
State Policy for the CivXNow Coalition, a project of
iCivics.
Before detailing our work at CivXNow and addressing
the merits of Senate Bill 29, I want to speak to the
perilous state of our constitutional democracy.
We've long lamented the state of civic knowledge
in the country, and the annual Annenberg Public
Policy Center's Civic Knowledge Survey released
last September is cause for continued concern:
• Less than half (47 percent) of U.S. adults
could name all three branches of government, down
from 56 percent in 2021. One in 4 respondents
could not name any.
• Asked to name the five rights protected by the
First Amendment, fewer Americans could name any
of the five than in 2021. For example, less than
1 in 4 people (24 percent) could name freedom of
religion, down from 56 percent the prior year.
Turning to K-12, we're all too familiar with
depressing scores from the nation's report card, the
National Assessment of Educational Progress, where
civics and U.S. history scores regularly rank lowest
among all subjects tested. In 2018, only 24 percent of
8th graders were deemed proficient on a test measuring
civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions, and a
paltry 15 percent were proficient in US history.
Lastly, in Alaska there is currently not a designated
position in the Alaska Department of Education that is
focused on social studies.
These results taken together, it's fair to question
the extent to which Americans and Alaskans are
prepared for informed, effective, and lifelong civic
engagement. Solutions are not immediate or singular,
but as social studies educators and advocates, we
offer the most promising long-term plan for
strengthening and sustaining our democratic
institutions.
Stated simply, civic education is key to rebuilding
trust in institutions and one another, fostering
informed patriotism and civility, and empowering
citizens to build a more perfect union.
This statement is not just based on what I think, We
know it's what voters and parents want. Last fall,
pollster Brent Buchanan and his firm Cygnal gauged
public support for stronger K12 civic education. The
poll engaged a national sample of 3,002 adults in
September 2022, including 2,385 likely voters; 1,195
Republican primary voters; and 803 K12 parents, with
substantial overlap across groups. Overall,
respondents demonstrated strong support for more
emphasis on civics.
Two-thirds of likely voters think civics in schools
should be emphasized more, with Republican primary
voters (64 percent) and parents (59 percent). Similar
numbers across these three groups see civics as more
important now than it was five years ago (likely
voters, 69 percent; Republican primary voters, 66
percent; and K12 parents, 66 percent). And early two-
thirds of likely voters (65 percent) support more
funding to ensure every child receives an adequate
civic education, as do 59 percent of Republican
primary voters and 64 percent of K12 parents.
However, civics has been neglected over the past 50
years, coinciding with the troubling trends that I
outline in the beginning of my testimony, we estimate
that the federal government invests in civics at less
than fifty cents per K-12 student versus $50 per
student in STEM subjects.
This comes on the heels of two decades of retrenchment
in social studies education since No Child Left
Behind. The Council of Chief State School Officers
estimates that 44 percent of school districts have cut
back on instructional time for social studies over a
20-year period. Alaska is one of only 3 states that
lack a State Social Studies Coordinator position,
which is the only person in a Department of Education
who focuses on supporting districts in social studies.
I'm here representing a coalition, CivXNow, that is
285 organizations strong and representative of the
country's political and geographic diversity.
Our coalition facilitates:
• Aggregation of research and measurement to make
the empirical case for high quality civic
learning opportunities across the curriculum and
throughout students' K-12 experience
• Narrative change to position civic learning as
fundamental to our nation's democratic strength
• And policy and advocacy to push for adoption of
state and federal policies that incentivize
schools' civic mission.
CivXNow established a state policy task force with
membership from 40 states (Alaska is not among them).
Our coalition seeks to support local stakeholders,
establish relationships with state policy makers,
identify and activate behind policies to strengthen K-
12 civic education, and ultimately, to ensure their
implementation.
We articulate 8 main policy recommendations to states,
they include:
1. Universal access to high-quality civic
learning experiences, this includes (stand-alone
civics courses in middle and high school and
designated instructional time in K-5)
2. Civics centered in state standards
3. Assessment and accountability (such civic
seals and K-12 civic learning plans from
districts)
4. Pre- and in-service teacher professional
development
5. Schoolwide and community commitments to civic
learning, such as commissions such as the one
this bill proposes.
6. Resourcing policy implementation
We conducted a 50 state policy scan with these
provisions in mind and found:
• 37 states and DC require a high school
civics course, but only seven for a full
year. (Alaska is not among them).
• Turning to middle school, the situation is
bleaker with only seven states requiring a
stand-alone civics course. Twenty-six states
and DC, not including Alaska, do require
civics instruction.
• Civics is officially assessed in 32
states, passage of the U.S. Naturalization
Test the most frequent vehicle (Alaska does
not require a civics assessment).
• Finally, 24 states and DC provide students
with credit for completing service learning
projects (While Alaska doesn't provide
credit for service learning, districts may
do so).
Senate bill 29, sponsored by Senator Stevens, will
create a permanent Alaska Commission on Civics
Education, composed of leaders in our state
government, teachers and students, serving to
periodically forward recommendations to our state
Board of Education and Early Development. Commissions
like these have been formed in other states such as
Indiana and Georgia. The bill will also create
required course time and a civics test for high school
graduation.
The restoration and reinvigoration of civic education
in Alaska will be a long, yet worthy process.
Commitments from educators, administrators, policy
makers, and other stakeholders will have to be made to
uphold the desire to revamp civic education. I have an
optimism about the state of civic education in Alaska
in that the new Commission will develop a plan based
on proven practices in civic education. It will be
critical for the Commission to internalize all
research on civic education and act upon its
recommendations. It will also be critical for the
Commission to support educators with resources,
training, and clear guidance so that implementation is
successful.
At a time when our civic health is badly bruised, and
our political discourse seems more polarized than
ever, the prospects for knitting together our fraying
democracy may well rest on what happens in classrooms
across this great state and in this legislature.
Across the country, parents and educators want kids
to: gain the knowledge and concrete skills that come
from high-quality civic education; learn the
essentials of government, specifically the U.S.
Constitution and its intellectual underpinnings, the
three branches of government, and federalism; and
understand the rights and responsibilities of
citizens.
You may have heard during the first hearing on SB 29
from the Alaska State Social Studies Council President
and President-Elect who testified on behalf of SB 29
from their classrooms with students watching in the
background. They said that our path forward is
stronger state K-12 civic education policies to ensure
that our students graduate with the civic knowledge,
skills, and dispositions necessary for self-
governance. Thank you for carrying forward this
important policy to help teachers make that possible
in classrooms across the state of Alaska.
9:46:46 AM
CHRISTINE HUTCHISON, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference),
spoke in support of the bill.
9:49:05 AM
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether she was an educator.
Ms. Hutchison replied that she did not teach in Alaska, but
taught in Montana.
9:49:42 AM
ANTONIA LEONARD, SELF, EAGLE RIVER (via teleconference),
testified in support of the bill.
Senator Stevens stressed that the bill did not lean toward
a political party.
9:52:34 AM
Mr. Lamkin explained the Sectional Analysis (copy on file):
Sec. 1: AS 14.03.076, relating to public schools,
adds a new section
a. directing the State Board of Education and
Early Development (SBOE) to develop curriculum
and a related assessment based on the civics
portion of the naturalization examination
administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security for immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship.
The curriculum and assessment must also include
systems of Alaska Tribal government;
b. requiring students to complete a semester
course taught using the curriculum, or to pass
the assessment established in (a) above in order
to receive a high school diploma, with exceptions
for students with a disability and who receive a
waiver from their local school board;
c. schools are to document on student transcripts
when a student has passed the assessment, with
the option for the student to retake the
assessment repeatedly;
d. a passing score is defined as correctly
answering 70 percent or more on the civics
assessment.
Sec. 2: AS 14.07.168, relating to existing reporting
requirements of the SBOE, to include in their annual
report to the legislature:
(5) the recommendations made by the Alaska Civics
Education Commission established under AS
14.07.215 (described below).
Sec. 3: Applies to Sec. 22, Chapter 40, SLA 2022,
wherein 14.07.168(4), relating to reporting a summary
and utilization of the AK Virtual Education Consortium
established in AS 14.30.800, the required reporting
being repealed on June 30, 2034. This section is for
legal drafting purposes only and has no bearing on SB
29 itself.
Sec. 4 AS 14.07.200 is created, establishing the
Alaska Civics Education Commission (ACEC) and staffed
by the Department of Early Education and Early
Development.
AS 14.07.205 describes the 12-member composition
of Commission, including:
1. the lieutenant governor as the chair;
2. a retired judicial officer or administrative
person with judicial experience in Alaska;
3. the Commission of Education and Early
Development;
4. two members of the AK State House of
Representatives;
5. two members of the AK State Senate;
6. five members appointed by the governor as
follows:
a. two civics or social studies teachers,
one of which teaches via correspondence
studies, and one
is a member of the National Education
Association;
b. one member representing a non-profit
organization that has civics as a core
mission;
c. one member representing the Association
of Alaska School Boards;
d. one member who is a student in good
standing.
AS 14.07.210 describes the terms of office for
ACEC members as being for 2 years, with vacancies
being filled in the same manner as the previous
appointment.
AS 14.07.215 describes the duties of the
Commission to include a review of best practices,
pedagogies and policies for civics education, and
to make recommendations and provide guidance
for the State Board of Education and Early
Development in implementing civics education
recommendations made by the Commission.
AS 14.07.220 requires at least quarterly meetings
of the Commission, which may be done
electronically. Legislative Council may assist in
the administration of ACEC meetings, such as
providing meeting space, equipment,
telecommunications and related resources.
AS 14.07.225 is routine reference to voluntary
service, there being no compensation but travel
expenses and per diem may be claimed for serving
on Boards and Commissions.
AS 14.07.295 defines reference to the
"Commission" as the Alaska Civics Education
Commission.
Sec. 5: Acknowledges the effective date of the
repealer (June 30, 2034) described in Section 3
of the bill.
Sec. 6: Provides an effective date for the remainder
of the bill of July 1, 2023.
9:57:18 AM
KELLY MANNING, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE
IN EDUCATION, JUNEAU (via teleconference), spoke to the
fiscal note.
Senator Wilson queried the regions of the members of the
commission. He wondered whether the commission requirements
were too excessive.
Ms. Manning replied that the funding would include
educators from across the state. She stated that an
educator group of 20 was a standard size.
10:00:53 AM
Senator Wilson wondered whether the stipends were for the
educators.
Ms. Manning replied in the affirmative.
Senator Bishop wondered whether there was a consideration
of established curriculum.
Ms. Manning replied that the development of curriculum
began with existing curriculum.
Co-Chair Olson wondered why the fiscal note was so much
higher than the fiscal note for similar legislation from
the year prior.
Ms. Manning replied that the increase was reflected in the
current year for similar work on the state level.
Co-Chair Olson queried the differences in cost requirements
for programs.
Ms. Manning responded that the fiscal note reflected the
cost of one staff person. She stressed that she was not
involved heavily in the Alaska Reads Act.
Senator Wilson wondered whether the coordinator could be
the facilitator.
Senator Stevens replied that he felt that the department
was attempting to kill the bill with the high costs.
Senator Wilson recalled that similar commissions had used a
coordinator and wondered why they could not also be the
facilitator.
Ms. Manning replied that the department would follow the
recommendations of the legislature.
10:11:18 AM
Co-Chair Stedman felt that the fiscal notes could be
adjusted in the end.
Mr. Lamkin explained that the bill was modeled after two
states that included similarly structured commissions.
Senator Merrick looked at page 4, lines 1 through 3. She
asked about how the requirement would be filled without a
recognized minority.
Senator Stevens replied that it was a good question, and
stated that he would examine that issue in the bill.
Co-Chair Olson CLOSED public testimony.
Senator Stevens encouraged the committee to take the exam.
SB 29 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 81 Sectional Analysis 03.07.23.pdf |
SFIN 3/14/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 81 |
| SB 81 Support Document -- Excerpt from 08.18.22 Leg Council Minutes.pdf |
SFIN 3/14/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 81 |
| SB029_Civics_Sectional_version U.pdf |
HEDC 4/26/2024 8:00:00 AM SFIN 3/14/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Sponsor Statement 03.04.2023.pdf |
HEDC 4/26/2024 8:00:00 AM SEDC 2/22/2023 3:30:00 PM SFIN 3/14/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Summary-of-Changes version A to U.pdf |
HEDC 4/26/2024 8:00:00 AM SFIN 3/14/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Research What Research Says About Solutions Jan 2023.pdf |
HEDC 4/26/2024 8:00:00 AM SFIN 3/14/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Research UNH What Is Civic Education 02.04.2023.pdf |
HEDC 4/26/2024 8:00:00 AM SEDC 2/22/2023 3:30:00 PM SFIN 3/14/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Research The-Civics-Test Feb 2023.pdf |
HEDC 4/26/2024 8:00:00 AM SFIN 3/14/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Research The State of Civics Education 2.21.18.pdf |
SFIN 3/14/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Research Sample List of Online Resources Feb 2023.pdf |
HEDC 4/26/2024 8:00:00 AM SFIN 3/14/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Research NCSL-Civic Learning Week March 2023.pdf |
HEDC 4/26/2024 8:00:00 AM SFIN 3/14/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Research Recent Polling 2.1.23.pdf |
HEDC 4/26/2024 8:00:00 AM SFIN 3/14/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Research AK Current Standards Govt and Citizenship.pdf |
HEDC 4/26/2024 8:00:00 AM SFIN 3/14/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 29 |
| SB 81 OVR Letter in Support.pdf |
SFIN 3/14/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 81 |
| SB 81 Sponsor Statement 03.07.23.pdf |
SFIN 3/14/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 81 |
| SB 98 PCE-APFC bill initial presentation 3-14-23.pdf |
SFIN 3/14/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 Sectional Analysis .pdf |
SFIN 3/14/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 98 |
| SB 81 Fiscal Note LEG OVR 022323.pdf |
SFIN 3/14/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 81 |