Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/08/2024 03:30 PM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB266 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 266 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 266-CORRESPONDENCE STUDY PROG; STUDENT ACCTS
3:37:36 PM
CHAIR TOBIN announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 266
"An Act relating to standards-based assessments; relating to
correspondence study programs; relating to student fund accounts
for correspondence study programs; and providing for an
effective date."
She stated the committee would consider a CS for SB 266.
3:38:17 PM
MICHAEL MASON, Staff, Senator Löki Tobin, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, said that following a Superior
Court ruling that struck down two key statutes regarding
correspondence school programs in Alaska, the Senate Education
Committee put forward SB 266, which seeks to provide clear
guardrails for Alaska's correspondence school programs. He
provided the following explanation of changes for SB 266,
version B to S:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Senate Bill 266 Correspondence Study Programs
Explanation of Changes Version B to Version S
Section 1 Version S changes the blanket withdrawal
provision to allow parents to object to standards-
based assessments by selecting an alternative to the
assessment or a student portfolio based on criteria
established by DEED.
MR. MASON stated the use of student portfolios for assessing the
progress of students was included in the Alaska Reads Act that
was signed into law in 2022.
Section 2 Version S changes the reporting
requirements in Section 2 to align with the existing
reporting statutes governing what must be included in
the annual report to the Alaska State Legislature from
the State Board of Education and Early Development.
MR. MASON said specifically, the report must include information
about performance of Alaska's correspondence study programs and
their students, as well as information on accreditation,
assessment results, enrollment, graduation, and other
information. Subsection (d) requires school districts that offer
correspondence study programs to submit an annual report to the
Alaska Department of Education that includes the information
called for in subsection (c).
Section 3 Version S repeals and reenacts AS
14.03.310 to allow correspondence study programs to
continue offering allotments to parents or guardians
of students. Allotment funding is for the purpose of
providing student textbooks, materials, and services
determined under the students individual learning plan
created under AS 14.03.300. Version S requires the
State Board of Education and Early Development to
adopt regulations requiring expenditures to be
approved by DEED or the school district that provides
the allotment. Ten percent of allotment funds may be
rolled over from year to year.
Subsection (e) on page 4 from lines 14 to 21,
stipulates that allotments may not be used to pay for
services provided by family members and for out-of-
state travel if the travel is approved by the
governing body or superintendent of a school district.
Version S includes subsection (f), which allows up to
15 percent of allotment funds to be used to contract
with a private individual to provide tutoring in fine
arts, music, or physical education if the tutoring is
part of the student's individual learning plan.
MR. MASON said Sections 4, 5, and 8 were in version B of SB 266.
Section 8 sets an immediate effective date.
3:41:29 PM
At ease
3:42:35 PM
CHAIR TOBIN reconvened the meeting.
3:42:50 PM
SENATOR KIEHL stated public testimony voiced concern regarding
tutors. The language in version S is similar to version B
regarding tutoring in art, music, and physical education. He
asked why tutoring in core subjects is not explicitly mentioned.
CHAIR TOBIN referenced SB 266, page 3, lines 29 - 30, and said
regulations to be promulgated by the department include
services. Services may include individual tutoring in core
subjects.
3:43:57 PM
CHAIR TOBIN solicited a motion.
3:43:58 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON moved to adopt the committee substitute
(CS) for SB 266, work order 33-LS1578\S, as the working
document.
3:44:17 PM
CHAIR TOBIN found no objection and CSSB 266 was adopted as the
working document.
3:44:32 PM
CHAIR TOBIN solicited the will of the committee.
3:44:34 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON moved to report CSSB 266, work order 33-
LS1578\S, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
3:44:51 PM
CHAIR TOBIN found no objection and CSSB 266 (EDC) was reported
from the Senate Education Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 266 Version S 05.08.2024.pdf |
SEDC 5/8/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 266 |
| SB 266 Explanation of Changes Version B to Version S 05.08.2024.pdf |
SEDC 5/8/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 266 |
| SB 266 Testimony Part 6 - Received as of 05.09.2024.pdf |
SEDC 5/8/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SB 266 |