Legislature(2019 - 2020)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/17/2020 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB152 | |
| SB55 | |
| SB137 | |
| SB150 | |
| SB47 | |
| SB30 | |
| HB122 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 122 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 152 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 30 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 47 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 55 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 137 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 150 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 30
"An Act establishing the middle college program for
public school students; and relating to the powers of
the University of Alaska."
9:30:48 AM
Co-Chair von Imhof relayed that the committee had heard the
bill on March 6. There was a CS and one amendment for the
committee's consideration.
JULI LUCKY, STAFF, SENATOR NATASHA VON IMHOF, discussed the
changes to the bill. She informed that proposed changes
were also discussed by the sponsor's office during the
initial presentation of the bill, and the CS was developed
by the sponsor for the consideration of the committee.
Ms. Lucky addressed an Explanation of Changes document
(copy on file):
Adds language to clarify that credits shall be
"applicable toward pursuit of a degree or certificate
at" the University of Alaska. [P2, Lines 18-19 and P4,
Line 23]
Replaces the requirement that all districts
participate in the program with language requiring the
University of Alaska to make the program available to
district s that have eligible students who want to
participate. [P2, Lines 20-22]
Ms. Lucky noted that the University had submitted an
indeterminate fiscal note and would be submitting a new
revised fiscal note as a result of the language changes.
Ms. Lucky continued to address the proposed changes to the
bill:
Adds references to parents to AS 14.30.780 (d), which
requires districts to provide information about the
Alaska Middle College Program. [P3, Lines 3-5]
Clarifies that courses can be held at other alternate
locations, not just high schools. The requirements for
courses held in other locations did not change. [P3,
lines 22-23]
Allows a student to take up to 15 credits (increased
from 12) per semester. [P4, line 3]
Changes effective date to July 1, 2021.
Removes prohibition against students paying tuition
and other costs.
Other technical changes to clarify intent that don't
change the effect of the legislation.
Ms. Lucky reiterated that the changes would require a new
fiscal note, which would remain indeterminate. The fiscal
note from the Department of Education and Early Development
was a zero fiscal note and would still apply.
9:34:28 AM
Ms. Lucky addressed Conceptual Amendment 1 (copy on file):
INTENT OF AMENDMENT: Require, as part of the program
information provided to students and parents by the
school district, whether a failing grade on a course
offered through the Alaska Middle College Program will
appear on the student's official college transcript.
Suggested Language:
Page 3, line 16, following "program" Insert ",
including whether a failed course will appear on the
student's official college transcript"
Ms. Lucky explained that the issue had come up in previous
meetings regarding the middle college concept. There had
been concern that students would understand the
implications of failing a class in middle college, and the
amendment would ensure that the information be clear to
parents and students signing up for the program.
9:35:15 AM
Co-Chair von Imhof noted that the sponsor and his staff was
present to offer perspective on the CS and the amendment.
9:35:43 AM
SENATOR GARY STEVENS, SPONSOR, expressed his appreciation
to the committee. He thought the bill was extremely
important for the University and the students of Alaska.
TIM LAMKIN, STAFF, SENATOR GARY STEVENS, remarked that the
CS was the result of a fair amount of work between the
University and school districts over the previous several
months. The CS was agreeable to the sponsor.
Mr. Lamkin addressed Conceptual Amendment 1. He did not
characterize the amendment as "unfriendly." He continued
that the statute as written was intended to be flexible and
create a model for the diverse demands and interests of the
state's school districts. The Memorandums of Agreement that
were in existence provided for academic counseling, and
involvement of teachers and parents for identifying the
rigors of college level work as well as the consequences of
failure. He thought the amendment could be unnecessary, but
it was not unfriendly.
Co-Chair von Imhof thought the amendment was trying to
clarify that when a person took a college class and
received a grade, the grade would be present on the
transcript and would follow a student throughout her or his
academic career. She thought it was important for the
information to be shared.
9:38:04 AM
Senator Stevens understood Co-Chair von Imhof's remarks. He
mentioned his own transcripts from college. He thought
there would be a lot of work for the students in the high
school before they would be allowed to take a college-level
course.
9:38:48 AM
Senator Bishop noted that Co-Chair von Imhof was the
sponsor of the amendment.
Co-Chair von Imhof stated that the committee would adopt
the CS and then address the amendment.
Senator Bishop asked if Co-Chair von Imhof had authored the
amendment.
Co-Chair von Imhof stated that the amendment was not
authored by her personally.
Senator Bishop wanted to have clarity on the intent of the
amendment. He referenced Senator Stevens' comments about
his transcript, and thought students do better academic
work as time went on. He asked if the intent of the
amendment was to make clear that the college-level work
would be on a permanent transcript.
Co-Chair von Imhof said "yes." She suggested the committee
adopt the CS, and then have staff speak to the amendment in
greater detail.
9:40:23 AM
Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to ADOPT proposed committee
substitute for SB 30, Work Draft 31-LS0052\E (Caouette,
3/4/20). There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
9:40:48 AM
Ms. Lucky stated that the concept behind the amendment had
been brought up in previous hearings. She explained that
the amendment would add to the notification to parents
whether or not the course grade would go on a student's
permanent transcript. There had been a concern in previous
committees that high school students would not understand
the implications of a permanent transcript. There was
already a notification requirement in the bill. The
amendment did not require any change other than parental
notification that a course grade would or would not be on
the student's permanent transcript.
Ms. Lucky continued to address the proposed amendment. She
explained that there would be a lot of counseling for
students participating in the program. The amendment would
provide the information before a student made the decision
to be part of the program. She continued that whether a
course appeared or not on a student's transcript would be
made clear in the MOU between the University and the school
districts.
9:43:14 AM
Senator Bishop thought the amendment came down to informing
students they were "in the big leagues."
Ms. Lucky agreed with Senator Bishop's remarks. She
furthered that students would learn the information
throughout the process of deciding to take the class, but
the additional written information proposed by the
amendment would not present a burden.
9:43:54 AM
Senator Wilson was not sure if the amendment was too
specific. He addressed number 6 on page 3 of the bill. He
thought the bill was broad enough. He discussed the
withdrawal option at universities. He was concerned the
amendment might be too prescriptive.
Co-Chair von Imhof noted that the University was online to
give testimony and could address the amendment.
9:44:58 AM
PAUL LAYER, VICE PRESIDENT, ACADEMICS, STUDENTS AND
RESEARCH, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA (via teleconference),
relayed that the University of Alaska (UA) advised students
of consequences to a permanent record, as well as dates
such as a withdrawal date. He furthered that University
staff worked with counselors and teachers in the high
schools to ensure that students were aware of important
dates.
[Senator Olson entered the meeting 9:45:50]
Co-Chair von Imhof asked if Mr. Layer could comment on the
proposed amendment.
Mr. Layer stated that UA did not object to the language in
the amendment. He reiterated that the UA already informed
students and parents of the information.
9:46:39 AM
Ms. Lucky added the clarification that the amendment would
not change any contract between the student and university,
nor the MOU between UA and the district. The amendment
would simply require that the information sent by the
district include the proposed language about transcripts.
Co-Chair Stedman commented that for parents that had never
been to college, the information may be new.
9:47:40 AM
Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to ADOPT Conceptual Amendment 1.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Co-Chair von Imhof noted that the fiscal note for DEED was
still accurate, but the fiscal note from UA would need to
be revised.
Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to report CSSB 30(FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CSSB 30(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with one forthcoming indeterminate
fiscal note from the University and one new zero fiscal
note from the Department of Education and Early
Development.