Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/14/2024 03:30 PM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB215 | |
| Presentation: the State of Teaching in Alaska | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 215 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SB 215-TEACHERS: BOARD CERTIFICATION INCENTIVE
3:36:00 PM
CHAIR TOBIN announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 215
"An Act relating to teacher incentive payments for national
board certification; and providing for an effective date."
3:36:33 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN, speaking as the sponsor of SB 215 stated the
bill could significantly advance educational practices across
Alaska. SB 215 aims to increase pay for the state's most
qualified teachers and encourage others to pursue National Board
Certification, which research shows leads to better educational
outcomes and improved teaching. He detailed the four-part
certification process, which includes content knowledge testing,
differentiated instruction, pedagogical competence, and self-
reflection. He highlighted the rigorous, personalized training
involved in certification, emphasizing that teachers must
demonstrate content mastery, instructional effectiveness, and
continuous improvement. He urged support for the bill, noting
its potential to enhance teacher retention and educational
outcomes statewide.
3:40:13 PM
RAYMIE MATIASHOWSKI, Staff, Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided the sectional analysis for
SB 215:
[Original punctuation provided.]
SB 215 Version S
Sectional Analysis
"An Act relating to teacher incentive payments for
national board certification; and providing for an
effective date"
Section 1: Amends AS 14.20 by adding a new section, AS
14.20.225, which would allow a school district or the
Department of Education and Early Development to pay
an incentive of $5,000 to each teacher who has a
National Board Certification. The funding would come
from the Department of Education and Early
Development.
Section 2: Amends the uncodified law of the State of
Alaska by adding a new section, which clarifies that
this bill will apply to contracts entered into after
the bill takes effect.
Section 3: Provides for an effective date, of July 1,
2024.
3:41:10 PM
SENATOR STEVENS expressed strong support for the program,
stating that improving teacher quality leads to better outcomes
for students and overall success. However, he questioned how the
program would contribute to teacher retention, asking for
clarification on how board certification specifically helps
retain teachers.
3:41:36 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN explained that when teachers become board
certified, they enhance their teaching skills, making their
profession more satisfying. He shared his personal experience,
suggesting that data supports this view, and noted that invited
testimony might further address this point. He emphasized that
the certification process helps teachers become more reflective
and effective, which can reduce frustration. He highlighted that
the process provides clear metrics for teachers to measure their
effectiveness and includes a renewal requirement every five
years, ensuring continued growth and effectiveness.
3:42:46 PM
SENATOR STEVENS commented that he believes the program is
excellent but expressed concerns about the retention issue. He
requested any available statistical information on retention to
help evaluate the program's impact. He suggested that if
retention data is unavailable, the focus should remain on the
program's inherent value rather than on its potential effects on
retention.
3:43:19 PM
CHAIR TOBIN said she would distribute to committee members any
retention information sent to her office.
3:43:24 PM
CHAIR TOBIN recognized Representative Dibert was in the room.
3:43:32 PM
CHAIR TOBIN expressed curiosity about the recertification
component mentioned and noted the possibility of refining the
legislation to better support educators in the recertification
process. She questioned whether there might be costs or
additional continuing education credits required to maintain
certification and ensure ongoing support for educators.
SENATOR BJORKMAN welcomed suggestions from committee members on
how to best support teachers. He acknowledged that there is a
cost for both certification and recertification. He noted that
many programs allow National Board Certification to be applied
as university credit, and it is up to individual districts to
recognize it as continuing education credit for salary
advancement. He mentioned uncertainty regarding whether the
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) currently
recognizes National Board Certification as continuing education
credit for teaching certificate recertification.
CHAIR TOBIN acknowledged that representative from DEED could
provide clarity on whether National Board Certification course
work could count towards continuing education credits.
3:45:09 PM
SENATOR KIEHL inquired whether any districts in Alaska include
National Board Certification in their salary schedules or
employee contracts as an incentive.
SENATOR BJORKMAN responded that he did not know. He mentioned
that the topic had come up during negotiations in various
bargaining processes but remains uncertain about its current
status in district contracts.
3:45:42 PM
CHAIR TOBIN suggested the Senior Policy Director from the
National Board of Professional Teaching Standards might provide
the answer during her testimony.
3:46:05 PM
CHAIR TOBIN announced invited testimony for SB 215.
3:46:29 PM
SARAH PINKSKY, Senior Director of Policy, National Board of
Professional Teaching Standards, Washington D.C., invited
testimony for SB 215, expressed her enthusiasm for discussing
how states can leverage policy to increase the number of
National Board-Certified Teachers (NBCTs) in schools. She
explained that the National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards, an independent nonprofit organization founded over 30
years ago, aims to advance accomplished teaching for all
students, with the belief that higher teaching standards lead to
better student outcomes.
3:47:25 PM
MS. PINSKY moved to slides 3-4 and provided an overview of
National Board Certification, describing it as a voluntary,
advanced certification recognized as the gold standard in
teacher certification, indicating a teacher's expertise in a
specific subject and grade level. National Board Certification
is by teachers for teachers. She emphasized that the
certification process, developed by expert practitioners, is
rigorous and performance-based, requiring teachers to
demonstrate their impact on student learning through submitted
work samples, teaching videos, and in-depth written reflections.
Additionally, teachers must pass a content knowledge exam.
3:49:26 PM
MS. PINSKY moved to slide 5 and highlighted that the
certification process fosters a habit of continuous reflection,
which remains with teachers throughout their careers. This
reflective practice, she noted, benefits both teachers and
students long after certification. The certification must be
renewed every five years, ensuring ongoing professional growth
and impact on student learning.
3:49:47 PM
MS. PINKSKY moved to slides 6-9 and shared research. She
discussed the importance of expanding the number of NBCTs,
citing research that consistently shows NBCTs lead to better
student outcomes. She mentioned a survey where teachers reported
that board certification was the most effective professional
development they had ever experienced, as it provided immediate,
applicable feedback for their classrooms. She shared research
findings that students taught by NBCTs make more significant
learning gains, with evidence suggesting one to two months of
additional instruction. She also noted that NBCTs tend to stay
in the profession longer, with turnover rates about a third of
those for all teachers. Additionally, NBCTs are more likely to
mentor new teachers, contributing to the development of future
educators. She shared research findings that students taught by
NBCTs make more significant learning gains, with evidence
suggesting one to two months of additional instruction. She also
noted that NBCTs tend to stay in the profession longer, with
turnover rates about a third of those for all teachers.
Additionally, NBCTs are more likely to mentor new teachers,
contributing to the development of future educators.
3:52:54 PM
MS PINSKY moved to slides 10 - 12 and discusses state policy
approaches. She outlined three common policy approaches states
use to increase NBCTs that drive teacher interest and action:
financial incentives or stipends, fee support for certification
costs, and mentorship or support programs. She said the cost of
initial certification is $1900 and maintenance of certification
is approximately $495. She said SB 215 focuses primarily on
financial incentives. Twenty-nine states currently offer
financial incentives, which vary in structure but generally lead
to increased participation in board certification.
3:54:45 PM
MS. PINSKY moved to slide 13 and provided the following example
of salary incentive structures and briefly described how various
states implement the incentive:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Salary Incentive Structures
Increase for all NBCTs
Example: North Carolina
NBCTs placed on salary schedule 12% above
base pay.
Example: Wyoming
NBCTs earn an annual $4,000 stipend.
Increase for NBCTs in high-need schools
Example: California
Both increase for all NBCTs and additional increase
for NBCTs in targeted schools
Example: Utah
3:56:13 PM
MS. PINSKY moved to slides 14-15 and provided examples from
Delaware and Texas, where financial incentives have led to
significant increases in the number of new NBCTs. Delaware saw a
notable growth in NBCTs after implementing a stipend equal to 12
percent of a teacher's base salary, while Texas offered stipends
of $3,000 to $9,000 depending on the socioeconomic status of the
teacher's school, along with reimbursement for certification
costs. She concluded that even when the absolute numbers are
different the trends are common in states that introduce
supportive policy. She said she expects the same would be true
for Alaska if a stipend was implemented.
3:58:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TILTON joined the meeting.
3:58:11 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked about the portability of National Board
Certification in two contexts. First, he inquired whether an
Alaska teacher with this certification would receive a salary
increase if they moved to Washington. Second, he asked if a
teacher certified in Washington who was hired in Alaska would
receive the additional funds associated with the certification
in Alaska.
3:58:43 PM
MS. PINSKY replied that the salary increase does not follow the
teacher when they move to a different state. While National
Board Certification is nationally recognized, each state
determines how it recognizes and rewards the certification. She
mentioned that many states grant a professional teaching license
in a similar area for teachers moving in with board
certification, but not all states have this policy. Therefore,
the recognition and any associated salary benefits depend on the
specific policies of the receiving state.
3:59:20 PM
SENATOR STEVENS highlighted Alaska's significant challenges in
hiring teachers and suggested that making the certification
benefits portable could be crucial. He noted that out-of-state
teachers might decline a job offer if they didn't receive the
additional money associated with their National Board
Certification. He expressed interest in knowing how the bill's
sponsor or the department would address this issue, suggesting
it could be important to include it in the legislation.
3:59:55 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN explained that currently, a teacher moving to
Alaska with National Board Certification does not receive
additional pay for the certification earned in another state. He
cited an example of a friend who was board certified in
Washington and received extra pay from both the state and
district but did not receive any additional compensation after
moving to Alaska. However, under SB 215, a board-certified
teacher hired in Alaska would immediately be eligible for
additional pay, if they maintain their board certification.
4:01:08 PM
CHAIR TOBIN expressed curiosity about how National Board
Certification addresses cultural responsiveness in the
classroom, specifically regarding English Language Learners
(ELL), English as a Second Language (ESL), special education,
and mainstreaming. She inquired how the certification supports
educators working in these areas.
4:01:38 PM
MS. PINSKY explained that there are 25 certificate areas within
National Board Certification, including one for Exceptional
Needs Specialists, which supports teachers of both students with
disabilities and gifted students. Additionally, there is an
English as a New Language (ENL) certification for teachers
focused on English language acquisition and those working in
dual-language classrooms. She emphasized the importance of these
areas and noted that the certification process is based on five
core propositions for accomplished teaching, with the first
being "knowledge of students." This proposition highlights the
need for teachers to deeply understand their students, including
their families, special supports, motivations, and how to
effectively praise and critique them. She added that teachers
who undergo board certification develop a thorough understanding
of their students' individual learning and general needs through
this rigorous process.
4:03:13 PM
CHAIR TOBIN mentioned that information from the National Center
for Education Statistics highlights the top six qualities of a
highly effective educator, one of which is the length of time
spent in the classroom and profession. She expressed curiosity
about whether this is why the maintenance of certification is
required every five years, as research indicates that educators
reach a peak level of effectiveness around this time.
MS. PINSKY explained that the five-year recertification period
was primarily designed to align with state licensure systems, as
most states require teachers to renew their licenses every five
years. She mentioned that the National Board Certification
renewal period was originally 10 years, but it was adjusted to
match state requirements. This alignment also encourages states
to use National Board Certification as a streamlined path for
licensure renewal. For instance, in Washington, a state
teacher's license remains valid as long as their National Board
Certification is active. She acknowledged that she had lost
track of the specific question and asked for a reminder to
address the substance of it.
4:04:48 PM
CHAIR TOBIN repeated that research shows that educators who have
worked in the field between 5 - 7 years are highly effective.
MS. PINSKY explained that the previous requirement mandated
teachers to have three years of experience before starting
National Board Certification. She noted that the policy was
changed to allow teachers who feel prepared to apply earlier,
particularly because certification offers access to higher
salaries and professional advancement. Teachers can now begin
the certification process at any career stage, but they must
complete three years of teaching before earning certification.
She emphasized that the policy reflects the belief that
accomplished teachers require experience.
4:05:51 PM
SENATOR STEVENS inquired about the renewal process, asking if it
is as challenging as the original application. He questioned
whether the renewal involves submitting samples of student work,
teaching videos, and conducting a deep reflection analysis,
making it feel like starting the process over again.
4:06:12 PM
MS. PINSKY clarified that it is not a recertification process,
so teachers do not have to repeat the entire process every five
years. Instead, the focus is on demonstrating that they maintain
their high level of teaching. The renewal process involves fewer
requirements: one video recording instead of two, some written
analysis, and a greater emphasis on professional development
activities. Teachers must show what they have gained in their
field, how they have shared their knowledge with others, and how
they have spread their expertise. It is not simply repeating the
original process.
4:07:23 PM
TARA BIVENS, Teacher, Mears Middle School, Anchorage, Alaska,
invited testimony for SB 215, emphasized the benefits of
National Board Certification for teachers and responded to
earlier questions, particularly from Senator Stevens, about
district supplements for certified teachers. She noted that
several major districts offer financial supplements: Anchorage
provides a $2,000 annual supplement, Sitka recently introduced a
$1,000 supplement, and Mat-Su possibly offers $2,000. In
Fairbanks, teachers with both National Board Certification and a
master's degree receive a salary increase. She explained that
these supplements are subject to contract negotiations, which
can lead to fluctuations based on agreements between teacher
associations and districts.
4:08:58 PM
MS. BIVENS shared her experience regarding recertification and
renewing her Alaska Master's certificate. She said she qualified
for her Alaska Master's certificate due to her National Board
Certification. While additional credits were required, she was
able to use non-academic credits at the time. She mentioned
having to pay a fee and provide a report justifying the credits
if accepted by a university, noting that this practice is no
longer common. However, she believed that some universities
still accept National Board Certification as equivalent to
course credit, which could count toward recertification, though
she had not experienced this herself.
4:10:50 PM
MS. BIVENS shared her experience teaching math at Mears Middle
School in Anchorage and her 24-year commitment to raising
awareness of National Board Certification (NBC) in Alaska, as
well as supporting teachers pursuing certification. She outlined
the mission of the National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards (NBPTS), which aims to enhance teaching and learning
by maintaining high standards and providing a voluntary
certification system for teachers. Alaska currently has 203
National Board-Certified Teachers (NBCTs) and 43 candidates.
4:12:40 PM
MS. BIVENS explained the rigorous four-component certification
process, which includes classroom-based components requiring in-
depth analysis, reflection, videos of instruction, student work
samples, and a set of assessments. She discussed the cost of
certification, which starts at $1,900 with additional fees for
assessments, and the option for candidates to complete the
process over five years. She noted that 70 percent of teachers
who received a certification decision since 2017 earned the NBCT
designation.
4:14:52 PM
MS. BIVENS shared that she has undergone the process of
recertification twice, emphasizing the focus on professional
growth and its impact on student learning. She found the renewal
process meaningful and beneficial for staying current with
teaching practices. She reflected on how NBC improved her
teaching by encouraging self-reflection, informed instructional
decisions, and collaboration with colleagues.
4:17:21 PM
MS. BIVENS highlighted the significant impact of NBC on student
learning, supported by a decade of research showing that
students of NBCTs outperform their peers. She cited a national
survey indicating that 96 percent of teachers ranked NBC among
the top three most impactful professional development
experiences. As she prepares for retirement, she emphasized the
importance of continuing to share the positive impact of NBC on
teaching and learning. She urged support for the proposed
incentive in SB 215, stating that it could inspire more
educators in Alaska to pursue NBC and improve their craft.
4:19:46 PM
CHAIR TOBIN held SB 215 in committee.