Legislature(2013 - 2014)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

03/14/2014 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION


Download Mp3. <- Right click and save file as

* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= SB 139 EDUCATION: FUNDING/TAX CREDITS/PROGRAMS TELECONFERENCED
Moved CSSB 139(EDC) Out of Committee
+= SB 113 STIPEND FOR BOARDING SCHOOLS TELECONFERENCED
Moved CSSB 113(EDC) Out of Committee
+= SB 100 EDUCATION GRANTS; CORRS STUDY; ALLOTMENTS TELECONFERENCED
<Bill Hearing Postponed to 3:00 pm>
Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled
= SB 147 BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION
Heard & Held
= SB 208 SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION BOND DEBT
Heard & Held
--Streamed live on AKL.tv--
Meeting will Recess to 3:00 pm
        SB 100-EDUCATION GRANTS; CORRS STUDY; ALLOTMENTS                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:37:19 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR STEVENS  brought the  meeting back  to order.  Present were                                                               
Senators Gardner, Dunleavy, and Chair Stevens.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STEVENS  announced that the  final order of  business would                                                               
be SB 100.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:38:02 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  DUNLEAVY  moved   to  adopt  the  CS   for  the  Sponsor                                                               
Substitute for  SB 100  ("SB 100"),  labeled 28-LS0425\G,  as the                                                               
working document.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STEVENS objected for discussion.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SHEILA  PETERSON,  Staff,  Senator Mike  Dunleavy,  Alaska  State                                                               
Legislature,  Juneau,  Alaska, presented  changes  to  SB 100  on                                                               
behalf of the sponsor. She began  with the change on page 3, line                                                               
28, that  says that  the individual learning  plan (ILP)  that is                                                               
with  the  correspondence  program  must be  developed  with  the                                                               
assistance "and  approval" of the  certified teacher  assigned to                                                               
the student.  The next change  is on page  4, line 8,  that makes                                                               
sure that the progress of the  student's work is monitored by the                                                               
certified teacher.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STEVENS asked if it is for correspondence study.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MS.  PETERSON  said  yes.  She  noted all  changes  relate  to  a                                                               
correspondence study program.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
She turned to page 4, line  19, where it says materials purchased                                                               
from  a "public",  private, or  religious  organization, must  be                                                               
"non-sectarian" in  nature, an addition that  the committee voted                                                               
to approve at  the last meeting. The new Version  G also includes                                                               
that the vendors are "public" - an oversight.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STEVENS asked for a definition of non-sectarian.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR DUNLEAVY said "not religious."                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:41:16 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. PETERSON described the next change  on page 4, line 24, where                                                               
it  talks about  the  textbooks, services,  and other  curriculum                                                               
that will be used in  the learning plan following guidelines that                                                               
are appropriate for  the public school system.  This language was                                                               
taken from  regulation. It says  that textbooks must go  with the                                                               
course of  study, appropriate to  the course of study,  have been                                                               
approved by  a school district,  are appropriate for the  age and                                                               
learning plan of  the student, aligned with  state standards, and                                                               
that they comply with AS  14.03.090 and AS 14.18.060, sections in                                                               
statute that  deal with materials not  being partisan, sectarian,                                                               
or  advocating   for  a   doctrine.  They   also  must   be  non-                                                               
discriminatory.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MS. PETERSON  addressed the last major  change in the CS  on page                                                               
5, line 8,  which deals with the allotment. The  allotment can no                                                               
longer be rolled over but must  return to the school district and                                                               
not to the correspondence program.  She said line 11 requires the                                                               
correspondence program  to maintain a record  of expenditures and                                                               
allotments, which  may not be  used to pay for  services provided                                                               
by  a   family  member.  This   language  also  was   taken  from                                                               
regulations.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:44:21 PM                                                                                                                    
MICHAEL HANELY,  Commissioner, Department of Education  and Early                                                               
Development (DEED),  Juneau, Alaska,  provided information  on SB
100.  He noted  that many  of the  changes in  the CS  were as  a                                                               
result  of  conversations with  the  sponsor  and strengthen  the                                                               
bill. He said the sponsor's  intent is to provide flexibility for                                                               
students  who  are proficient.  He  said  he had  concerns  about                                                               
spending public money  for things that were  not educational. The                                                               
adjustments to  the bill,  including on page  3, the  approval of                                                               
the certificated teacher, are already in current language.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER HANLEY  said the biggest  change is on page  4, line                                                               
10,  that allows  flexibility. The  department is  to not  impose                                                               
additional requirements and the  focus should remain on outcomes.                                                               
He said  the key is on  line 17 in regard  to student allotments,                                                               
where   money  can   be  spent   for  the   purpose  of   meeting                                                               
instructional expenses  for the student enrolled  in the program.                                                               
Many changes brought back language already in regulations.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:47:14 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR STEVENS inquired about page 4,  line 24, a reference to the                                                               
regulations  of the  department.  He requested  clarity on  "non-                                                               
partisan" and "non-discriminatory" materials.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  HANLEY   replied  that  it  aligns   with  what  is                                                               
currently  expected  in  the public  education  system  regarding                                                               
curriculum  materials, which  do  not advocate  for a  particular                                                               
religion or party and are not discriminatory.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
BRUCE  JOHNSON,  Executive  Director, Alaska  Council  of  School                                                               
Administrators, Juneau, Alaska,  presented information related to                                                               
SB 100.  He said the  vast majority of superintendents  in Alaska                                                               
are in  support of SB 100.  He spoke favorably of  the changes in                                                               
the bill. One  of the major concerns regarding  the purchasing of                                                               
services  and materials  was assuaged  by the  addition of  "non-                                                               
sectarian." He concluded that the  bill increases opportunity and                                                               
choice.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
3:50:05 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  STEVENS  removed his  objection.  There  being no  further                                                               
objection, Version G was before the committee.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
3:50:28 PM                                                                                                                    
STUART  MCDONALD, Superintendent,  Kodiak  Island Borough  School                                                               
District,  Kodiak,  Alaska,  testified  in  support  of  SB  100,                                                               
especially of  the 1.0  funding factor  and how  it would  make a                                                               
difference  to his  district.  He spoke  of  the difficulties  of                                                               
serving  correspondence students  in  remote areas.  He said  the                                                               
funding  will give  parents better  access  to certified,  highly                                                               
qualified  teachers.  He  spoke   of  the  advantages  of  AASB's                                                               
Consortium for Digital Learning  Initiative. The bill provides an                                                               
opportunity for a technology grant.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STEVENS  asked about page 4  regarding textbooks, services,                                                               
and  curriculum.  He inquired  if  the  district is  doing  these                                                               
things now.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MR. MCDONALD said  yes. He added that they  recently went through                                                               
an  audit  of the  correspondence  program  and made  corrections                                                               
under existing regulations.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
3:53:25 PM                                                                                                                    
ROBERT   WHICKER,  Consortium   for   Digital  Learning,   Alaska                                                               
Association of  School Boards (AASB),  Eloy, Arizona,  offered to                                                               
answer   questions   about   SB   100's   personalized   learning                                                               
opportunity grant.  He addressed  local choice  of vendor  in the                                                               
Alaska 1:1  Digital Learning Initiative. Vendors  need to provide                                                               
a  device that  is full-featured,  has storage,  and can  provide                                                               
creativity, but  not limited  to specific  size or  details. This                                                               
would  allow   multiple  vendors   to  participate   and  provide                                                               
professional development and technical services.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STEVENS asked how vendors would be chosen.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR.  WHICKER said  the 1:1  Initiative is  meant for  the regular                                                               
teacher  to  integrate  technology   within  the  classroom.  The                                                               
district  would choose  the  vendors  for hardware,  professional                                                               
development and technical services.  The curriculum would also be                                                               
determined by  the district, the  school, and the teacher  in the                                                               
classroom.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:57:07 PM                                                                                                                    
ANGELA  WASHINGTON, Board  of Directors,  Alaska  State Board  of                                                               
Education, Kotzebue, Alaska, testified in  support of SB 100. She                                                               
stressed how  important this bill  is to students,  especially in                                                               
rural areas.  Teachers will  have the  ability to  use technology                                                               
throughout the curriculum, such as in a science lab.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MICHELLE  HAND, representing  herself, Palmer,  Alaska, testified                                                               
in support  of SB 100. She  spoke in favor of  the flexibility of                                                               
using allotment  funds and choosing vendors,  which would provide                                                               
for making  long-term ILP's.  She gave an  example of  planning a                                                               
curriculum that would  include welding, a science  lab, and music                                                               
lessons. She shared that she is a home school mom.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STEVENS thanked Ms. Hand.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
4:01:03 PM                                                                                                                    
PETER HOEPFNER,  President, Cordova School Board,  Cordova School                                                               
District, testified  in support  of SB  100. He  spoke also  as a                                                               
parent and  shared his experience  with home school  programs and                                                               
technology. He  said students who  travel have been able  to keep                                                               
up with coursework due to  technology. He stressed the importance                                                               
of technology and the 1:1 initiative.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
4:03:36 PM                                                                                                                    
STEVE  BRADSHAW, Superintendent,  Sitka  School District,  Sitka,                                                               
Alaska, testified in support of SB  100. He said the Sitka School                                                               
Board  stands in  support of  the bill.  The district  is looking                                                               
forward to the opportunity to receive a 1:1 grant.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  DUNLEAVY  said  SB  100  is  a  bill  that  attempts  to                                                               
incentivize  and support  individualized learning  approaches. It                                                               
recognizes a  variety of correspondence  school models.  The bill                                                               
will engage many more students and parents at a lower cost.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
4:05:27 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  STEVENS held  SB 100  in committee.  Public testimony  was                                                               
open.                                                                                                                           

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
01_SB147_BillText_VersionU.PDF SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 147
02_SB147_SponsorStatement.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 147
03_SB147_FiscalNote1_K12Support.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 147
04_SB147_FiscalNote2_Endowment.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 147
05_SB147_LegislativeFinance Foundation Formula Summary.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 147
05a_SB147_LegislativeFinance Foundation Formula Summary.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 147
06_SB147_LegislativeResearch_LRS13-385_ Inflation Losses.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 147
07_SB147_Staffing Levels by School District.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 147
08_SB147_AK_Dispatch_Jan21,2014.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 147
09_SB147_JuneauEmpire_Jan29, 2014.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 147
10_SB147_FbksNewsminer_Feb7, 2014.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 147
11_SB147_Letters of SupportAsOf_Feb18, 2014.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 147
03_SB113_BillText_VersionU_04March14.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 113
01_SB208_BillText_VersionA.PDF SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 208
02_SB208_SponsorStatement_VersionA.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 208
03_SB208_FiscalNote1_DEED.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 208
04_SB208_Percent Local Share CIP FY2015.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 208
05_SB208_BillText_VersionU.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 208
19_SB139_VillageCouncilPresidents_Support_TaxCreditAmendments.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 139
20_DOLWD_TVEP_FundBalances.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
21_SB139_SAT-ACT_Requirement_GoodForBusiness.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 139
23_SB139_Letter_AquarianCharterSchool_022614.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 139
24_SB139_Letter_deManderLaura_031214.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 139
25_SB139_Letter1_EskiJoey_031214.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 139
25a_SB139_Letter2_EskiJoey_031214.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 139
26_SB139_Letter_ClausBob_031314.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 139
14_SB147_LetterSupport_PeaseTom.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 147
27_SB139_BillText_VersionN_03142014.pdf SEDC 3/14/2014 8:00:00 AM
SB 139