03/07/2001 01:32 PM Senate HES

                  SB 120-PUBLIC SCHOOL EXIT EXAM                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MS.  SANDY  ALTLAND, staff  to  Senator  Ward,  sponsor of  SB  120,                                                            
explained that  SB 120 looks at whether a single test  should be the                                                            
sole determining  factor in granting  a high school diploma.   Under                                                            
SB 120, students  would continue to take the exit  exam but the test                                                            
would  determine  whether the  student  receives an  endorsement  on                                                            
their diploma, not whether  the student would get a diploma.  SB 120                                                            
also  establishes  a uniform  statewide  standard  for  awarding  an                                                            
endorsement on the diploma.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRWOMAN GREEN  noted the uniform standard would  be determined by                                                            
DOEED through regulation.   She asked if SB 120 would provide for an                                                            
endorsement  for any student  who exhibits  proficiency in  reading,                                                            
writing or math.   Students who are not eligible or  the endorsement                                                            
would receive an imprint of the Alaska flag on their diplomas.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MS. ALTLAND presented  a proposed amendment to SB  120 [Amendment 1]                                                            
to  resolve  some  controversy  over  the  word  "proficiency."  The                                                            
amendment reads:                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                       A M E N D M E N T  1                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
OFFERED IN THE SENATE                             BY SENATOR WARD                                                               
     TO:  SB 120                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Page 2, line 2:                                                                                                                 
     Delete "exhibits proficiency"                                                                                              
     Insert "meets graduation examination requirements"                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Page 2, line 4:                                                                                                                 
     Delete "exhibits proficiency"                                                                                              
     Insert "meets graduation examination requirements"                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Page 2, line 6:                                                                                                                 
     Delete "exhibits proficiency"                                                                                              
     Insert "meets graduation examination requirements"                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRWOMAN  GREEN  asked if  the graduation  requirements  would  be                                                            
determined by DOEED and the local school districts.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MS. ALTLAND said that it is correct and that is the status quo.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRWOMAN GREEN said SB  120 would be set aside and SB 128 would be                                                            
taken up.