Legislature(2007 - 2008)BUTROVICH 205
04/20/2007 08:00 AM Senate SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SCR5 | |
| Presentation: Floyd Dryden Middle School | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| = | SCR 5 | ||
SCR 5-CIVICS EDUC/ CITIZENS ADVISORY TASK FORCE
CARL ROSE, Executive Director for the Association of Alaska
School Boards, said that the resolution addresses the need to
teach civics and service learning in public schools. It's
critically important that the legislature and citizens examine
the civic mission of the state; other subjects are important as
well, but the No Child Left Behind act has been detrimental to
the learning of civic topics. He explained that the resolution
is simple but will start the conversation about the need to
learn civics. He then outlined different elements of the bill,
and what levels of school it could apply to. The bill allows for
the governor and speaker to make several appointments to an
advisory task force. The fiscal note is unavoidable, but outside
funding will be raised and many people will be willing to commit
their time and expertise to the board.
8:12:20 AM
CHAIR STEVENS clarified that the resolution will recognize the
importance of civic education and assemble a task force to
examine the issue. He asked if the date for the final findings
of the task force would remain the same.
MR. ROSE replied that because of session issues, the date might
have to be altered.
CHAIR STEVENS said that he was wondering if the task force could
complete its work by that date.
MR. ROSE said that the group is envisioned to number 12 people,
with at least four meetings. The work should be able to be done
in a short period of time.
8:14:29 AM
SENATOR OLSON said there seems to be a lack of civic education
in public schools, and asked if that's what the SCR is
addressing.
MR. ROSE related a personal story about the lack of civic
awareness, and said that people don't pay enough attention to
things outside of work or home life. Such education is a
responsibility of schools, and everyone needs to be more aware
of the responsibility such learning.
8:17:09 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS related a personal story about civic awareness,
and asked how the results of the SCR would be marketed.
8:20:00 AM
MR. ROSE said that change happens from raising awareness, and an
outreach program would be prepared through the Department of
Education and Early Development and other channels. The report
shouldn't be done in isolation; everyone can participate and
make a difference.
8:21:30 AM
CHAIR STEVENS said the committee would be taking testimony, and
not moving the bill that day.
SENATOR OLSON asked if civic awareness is lower than 30 years
ago; television and radio must have made a difference in
exposure.
8:22:31 AM
MR. ROSE pointed to information before the committee that shows
a serious lag in young peoples' civic awareness.
8:23:31 AM
ROBERT BASSETT, representing himself, related his work history
and said that Alaska has a unique opportunity to coalesce
different fragments of its population. Service to others is an
important part of civic awareness, as well as leadership and
citizenship. Schools are already taxed with a lot of
responsibilities, so community-based strategies for learning are
important as well. He gave some examples of civic education
programs in Anchorage, and said that the best current practices
in Alaska and other states need to be identified and
disseminated. The Office of Faith-Based and Community
Initiatives should be involved in the task force as well.
He pointed out that that day was National Youth Service Day, and
talked about the awards that would be given to local youth in
Anchorage. He said that many people are unfamiliar with these
awards; community resources are not effectively communicated. He
mentioned that public school drop-outs are historically
civically disengaged.
8:29:17 AM
CHAIR STEVENS thanked Mr. Bassett, and clarified that the result
of the legislation will be a task force in which Mr. Bassett
could hopefully participate.
MAIDA BUCKLEY, representing herself, said that she has a passion
for civic education which plays a vital role in democracy. She
referenced the Constitution to show that civic education needs
to be orderly and comprehensive; reading, writing, and math are
important but do not prepare students for the decision-making of
an active citizen.
8:34:04 AM
CHAIR STEVENS said that he hopes Ms. Buckley will consider
applying for the task force, and requested that she send her
written testimony to the committee.
He added that there were several amendments to be drafted for
the bill.
SENATOR DAVIS commented that there should be an amendment
regarding the number of the members of the committee.
CHAIR STEVENS agreed.
SENATOR DAVIS said that the task force will have plenty of work
to do.
CHAIR STEVENS called a brief at-ease.
8:36:15 AM
^PRESENTATION: FLOYD DRYDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL
8:36:37 AM
CHAIR STEVENS asked the students from Floyd Dryden Middle School
(FDMS) to come forward for their presentation.
REBECCA FARRELL, teacher at FDMS, introduced herself.
SANDI PAHLKE, teacher at FDMS, introduced herself.
MS. FARRELL thanked the committee for hearing the students from
the school, and said that the exchange program they would be
presenting is student-led.
8:37:45 AM
ERIC HILL, student at FDMS, introduced himself and his fellow
participants in the exchange program with Napakiak School. The
program was designed to learn about the areas of governance,
health care, subsistence, transportation, education.
8:38:50 AM
SIERRA SANCHEZ, student at FDMS, introduced more students who
participated in the program.
8:40:30 AM
MS. PAHLKE explained that the program was run by the Alaska
Humanities Forum, and said that the committee would be seeing a
video created by the youth involved in the program.
8:48:55 AM
MS. PAHLKE introduced additional teachers.
CHAIR STEVENS said that the rural/urban program is wonderful,
and asked the urban students if they've ever gone to rural
communities before. He said that many urban kids seldom get a
chance to see life in rural Alaska.
SENATOR DAVIS complimented the presentation and asked how the
village of Napakiak was chosen for participation.
MS. PAHLKE said that the village was chosen through the Rose
Program, and said that FDMS is looking forward to having the
village's school as a sister school.
8:52:01 AM
CHAIR DAVIS commented that in Anchorage only high school
students are sent on such programs, and she'll share information
about the Juneau program with her district.
8:52:38 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS asked the rural students about what they'll be
doing in the Juneau area.
ROBERT NICK, a student from Napakiak, said that the students
will go swimming, play basketball, go bowling, go to the movies,
eat pizza, and go to the museum.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked what sort of snow-machine Mr. Nick rides.
MR. NICK said that he rides a Ski-Doo.
8:54:22 AM
SENATOR OLSON asked how long the FDMS students stayed in the
villages.
MS. SANCHEZ said that they stayed for six days, visiting other
communities as well.
CHAIR STEVENS said that the committee was proud of the program.
MS. PAHLKE introduced further students.
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Stevens adjourned the meeting at 8:55:54 AM.
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