Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/23/2024 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB131 | |
| HB89 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 131 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 89 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 131
"An Act requiring education in the history and
contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders."
9:05:48 AM
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, SPONSOR, offered a brief history
of the bill. She recounted that a few years previously, the
consulate for Korea visited Anchorage. The consulate had
requested that the legislature work to provide education on
the history and contributions of Asian Americans and
Pacific Islanders.
Senator Gray-Jackson read from a Sponsor Statement (copy on
file):
Senate Bill 131 requires schools in the State of
Alaska to educate students on the history and
contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders.
This curriculum will be established and provided by
each school district for students in kindergarten
through grade 12. The contributions of Asian Americans
and Pacific Islanders are aplenty and need to be
taught in schools. In addition to teaching about the
contributions of the two communities, schools will
also educate students on the cultural and economic
diversity of the communities. May is Asian Pacific
American History Month and was established as a way to
commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese
individuals to the US in 1843. There are numerous
sister cities between Japan and Alaska. Closest one to
Juneau is Nemuro, Japan. It is an ocean facing fishing
port. As early as 1788 there were Filipino seamen
contacting Alaskan Natives. As Alaska developed our
natural resource industries, there was a steady stream
of Filipino immigrant workers. May is also the
anniversary of the Transcontinental railroad
completion where most of the workers were Chinese
Immigrants.
Although we are recognizing Asian Americans and
Pacific Islanders as a group, they are very different
and have their individual traditions, culture, and
ways of life. It is important to teach our youth the
differences within these cultures and their
significance to our country.
9:08:49 AM
LUMA DIAZ, STAFF TO SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON, discussed a
Sectional Analysis (copy on file):
Section 1: AS 14.30 is amended by adding a new section
to article 10 which will require schools to teach
students about the history and contributions of Asian
Americans and Pacific Islanders. Each school will
establish a program that is specific to the history,
contributions, culture and economic diversity of Asian
Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
Senator Gray-Jackson emphasized that there had been massive
support for the legislation and listed organizations that
had expressed support:
Make Us Visible Alaska, Polynesian Association of
Alaska, Mana, People of Oceania Association, Pacific
Community of Alaska, Filipino American National
Historical Society, Filipino Community of Anchorage,
AAPI Student Club University of Alaska Southeast,
Consular Outreach Mission Alaska, Filipino Community
of Juneau, Native Movement, UTOPIA Alaska, Korean
American Community of Anchorage, Ketchikan Wellness
Coalition, Sealaska Heritage Institute, Elder Della
Cheney, Mat-Su Kabayan, Asian Alaskan Cultural Center.
9:10:37 AM
SHAYNE NUESCA, INTERIM STATE DIRECTOR, MAKE US VISIBLE
ALASKA, spoke in support of the bill. She offered a brief
history of her emigration to the Unites States at 6 years
old. She discussed her work collecting and documenting the
oral histories of Filipinos in Alaska. She cited that
Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders were the fasted
growing group in the state. She noted that Anchorage was
one of the most diverse cities in the country but that
was not reflected in the History curriculum in schools. She
listed notable contributions made by Filipino Americans in
Alaska. She relayed stories of being bullied in her youth
for being Filipino and hoped that passage of the
legislation would lead to a better informed, more
inclusive, and empathetic society.
9:14:19 AM
LUCY HANSEN, CEO, POLYNESIAN ASSOCIATION OF ALASKA, spoke
in support of the bill. She stressed the importance of the
bill to herself and young students so they would know their
history. She emphasized the importance of history and
instilling knowledge in youth. She said that she had
provided Asian and Pacific Islander historical knowledge
and information during Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage
Month for over 20 years. She believed that the legislation
would instill history and truth of the Asian and Pacific
Islander experience in the youth of Alaska.
9:17:11 AM
Senator Bishop was not certain how the curriculum would be
developed and how it would be taught. He requested that
some history of navigation skills be included.
Ms. Hansen thought other testifiers could speak to the
curriculum.
Co-Chair Olson expressed amazement at the history and
amazing achievement of navigation.
Ms. Hansen agreed.
9:18:55 AM
Co-Chair Olson OPENED public testimony.
9:19:14 AM
REBECCA CARRILLO, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of the
bill. She asserted that Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders were an integral part of America and were
comprised of over 50 ethnic groups, speaking over 100
languages, with connections to Chinese, Indian, Japanese,
Filipino, Vietnamese, Samoan, Tongan, and others. She added
that it was crucial to add to the curriculum to K-12
education in the state. She asserted that adding the
material to K-12 curriculum would help for understanding
the struggles, sacrifices, and contributions of Asian
Americans and Pacific Islanders in the building of America.
She added that the added curriculum would enrich the
experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islander youth,
foster understanding, encourage tolerance, bring friendship
across cultures, and bring hope and peace to an
increasingly divided nation.
9:22:17 AM
Co-Chair Olson asked how the bill would impact the work of
the schools.
KELLY MANNING, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF INNOVATION AND
EDUCATION EXCELLENCE, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY
DEVELOPMENT (via teleconference), was not able to speak to
the district's possible response to passage of the bill.
She shared that updates to Social Studies standards were
already being done. She said that, should the bill pass, a
rubric would be identified to evaluate curriculum and
support districts in incorporating the curriculum.
Co-Chair Olson asked Ms. Manning to address the fiscal
note.
Ms. Manning discussed FN 1 from the Department of Education
and Early Development. She cited that the note included
costs for gathering educators to evaluate standards and
creating a rubric for curriculum evaluation. She said that
the note included a stipend for 20 educators to help with
the process and $35,000 for a facilitator to help with the
review. She said that the legal cost for updating
regulation had also been included in the note.
9:25:34 AM
Co-Chair Olson asked how to implement the bill so that it
would not be viewed as an unfunded mandate.
Ms. Manning thought it would be dependent on the existing
Social Studies curriculum. If there was not already
curriculum, curriculum would need to be purchased.
9:26:31 AM
Senator Wilson wondered whether the sponsor had heard from
any school districts about any anticipated cost.
Senator Gray-Jackson relayed that she had not heard
comments from any school districts.
9:27:18 AM
KAYE ROLDAN, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the bill.
She relayed that she had moved to Alaska at the age of 1
year. She discussed finding community and belonging at the
Filipino Community Hall in Juneau. She mentioned a showcase
of Filipino History in Alaska at the city museum. Ms.
Roldan stressed the importance of representation in
history. She quoted the late Dr. Walter Soboleff, Once you
know yourself you dont harm yourself. She said that
education about who you are and where you come from was
critical for building confidence and keeping culture alive.
9:30:51 AM
LEE MONTOYA, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in
support of the bill. He relayed that he was a retired high
school counselor from the Anchorage School District. He had
found that Alaska and especially Anchorage was one of the
most diverse places in the United States. He recounted that
he had worked with families from all over the world. There
was a large Hmong population in Anchorage. Mr. Montoya
stressed that there was a huge need for the education
proposed in the bill. He encouraged passage of the
legislation.
9:33:17 AM
TAFILISAOA TOLEAFEOA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PACIFIC COMMUNITY
OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in
support of the bill. She relayed that the Pacific Community
of Alaska was an organization that worked in Anchorage,
Juneau, Barrow, and Fairbanks. She was a mother of two and
mentioned the importance of representation. She felt that
the bill would elevate the voices of Asian and Pacific
Islanders. She spoke of the Hokule'a voyage to Juneau. She
noted that both Pacific Islanders and Indigenous Alaskans
were a part of that original history.
9:36:13 AM
Co-Chair Olson CLOSED public testimony.
Senator Gray-Jackson corrected that there was a letter of
support from the Anchorage School District in members
packets.
Ms. Diaz stressed that the importance of the bill was to
make the curriculum mandatory and not optional.
SB 131 was heard and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.