Legislature(2013 - 2014)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/10/2014 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB107 | |
| SB139 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 107 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 139 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 107-ESTABLISH K THROUGH 3 READING PROGRAM
8:04:33 AM
CHAIR STEVENS announced that the first order of business would
be SB 107. He noted the arrival of Senator Dunleavy.
TIM LAMKIN, Staff, Senator Gary Stevens, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented information on SB 107 on
behalf of the sponsor. He noted it was the second hearing of SB
107. He said he has been working with DEED to make several
changes to the bill. He added that he is hoping to receive
comments from school districts and school boards.
8:05:44 AM
MIKE HANLEY, Commissioner, Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED), Juneau, Alaska, answered questions related
to SB 107.
SUSAN MCCAULEY, Ph.D., Director, Teaching and Learning Support,
Department of Education & Early Development, Juneau, Alaska,
answered questions related to SB 107. She said that the focus of
the discussion between the sponsor and the department is on page
2, lines 19 - 21 of the bill, seeking to find clarity regarding
kinds of assessments required, and to define "instructional
practices" and "staff development." This section requires those
three things to be approved by the State Board of Education.
Further on in the bill, districts are required to use practices,
programs, and assessments as approved by the State Board of
Education.
8:07:21 AM
CHAIR STEVENS asked how many districts are already doing this.
DR. MCCAULEY replied that the department has not specifically
collected that data, but said her impressions are that the
larger districts have these practices in place already and many
smaller districts do, as well. She said all districts must have
a screening assessment as of this coming fall. Diagnostic
assessments are specifically mentioned in SB 139. She said it
was her impression that many districts already use diagnostic
assessments. Regarding a reading plan for students having
difficulty, however, there is more variability across the state.
8:09:28 AM
POSIE BOGGS, representing herself, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
on SB 107. She shared a personal story about one of her
children's difficulties with the district's reading program. She
said she was testifying on behalf of two non-profit entities.
She maintained that SB 107 and SB 139 are related.
CHAIR STEVENS suggested the focus remain on SB 107.
MS. BOGGS continued to say that in the minutes of January 29, it
was stated that SB 107 is closely related to the READ Act in
Colorado. She pointed out that READ focuses on students with
significant reading deficiencies and SB 107 excludes, on page 7,
line 29, those students with an IEP. The READ Act also
distributed funds for a resource bank of assessments,
instructional programing, and professional development. It
awarded Literacy How a professional development contract. She
requested that the committee consider why professional
development in literacy instruction is needed. She stressed that
all teachers be trained and prepared to teach reading, and that
the legislature provide support for teacher training.
CHAIR STEVENS thanked Ms. Boggs for her testimony. He agreed
that professional development was important.
SB 107 was held in committee pending input from districts and
superintendents.
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