Legislature(2015 - 2016)CAPITOL 106
02/27/2015 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB30 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 30 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 30-CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY CURRICULUM
CHAIR KELLER announced that the only order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 30, "An Act requiring school districts to develop
and require completion of a history of American
constitutionalism curriculum segment; and providing for an
effective date."
8:05:44 AM
CHAIR KELLER turned the gavel over to Vice Chair Reinbold.
8:06:03 AM
CHAIR KELLER spoke as sponsor of HB 30 and said that
Representative Seaton had asked questions in an earlier hearing.
To address those concerns and to clarify the intent of his bill,
he read from a prepared statement. He pointed out that there is
nothing controlling in his bill. The founding documents cited in
HB 30 provide a context for understanding original intent, and
the list is not exclusive, he added. Many documents from that
time period would provide valuable context. The bill presumes
that a good education must include an understanding of the
values that existed when America was formed, and it does not
propose that current values must align with all historical
values, he explained, including slavery and women's rights. The
writers did not presume they had produced a perfect document,
and Article V has allowed for thousands of amendment attempts,
including 27 ratified amendments.
CHAIR KELLER said any education standard should not hide the
errors of the past, and "he who cannot remember history is
destined to repeat it." The self-evident truth that human
dignity is based on universal and natural human rights is
enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and has been a
beacon for freedom worldwide, he stated. He added that America
is unique, and its values were not invented when the country was
created, but they were enshrined. The symbolism in the Statue of
Liberty is stunning, he stressed. It is the symbol of the end of
slavery, and in the hand of the statue is the tablet that
symbolizes the rule of law, dated July 4, 1776. The bill is a
small and important one, and he encouraged members' votes.
8:14:51 AM
CHAIR KELLER noted that legislators should be careful when
creating mandates for schools, and he intends to vote against
many other school mandates. Many schools are [teaching
constitutionalism]. He noted that [HB 30] will be a required
history curriculum standard, but it does not mandate tests.
8:17:28 AM
VICE CHAIR REINBOLD moved to adopt CSHB 30, labeled 29-LS0186\W,
as the working document.
8:17:39 AM
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER objected for the purpose of discussion.
[Version W was treated as though it were adopted as the working
document.] He asked if the intent is to incorporate the
constitutional coursework within existing requirements. He said
United States history and government are already taught in high
school, and he asked if the bill will create an additional
graduation requirement.
CHAIR KELLER answered that it is an additional graduation
requirement; however, each school district will set the
standards and provide the curriculum. The intent is to say, "go
look at the values in American constitutionalism and make sure
your kids learn this," he added.
8:19:32 AM
VICE CHAIR REINBOLD opened public testimony.
JAMES SQUYRES, Delta Junction, Alaska, said he represents "one
of the people" and that he supports HB 30. Federal and state law
overreach can be traced back to "wandering away from the
founding of our great country." He said he sailed around the
world, and he saw oppression and tyranny abroad, and he is now
aware of the infringements on individual rights that are taking
place in the United States. He said he expects the schools in
Alaska are teaching a great deal about the constitution already.
Understanding and defending the constitution "turns some gray
areas into black and white issues that can be solved quickly and
easily," he said. Alaska has the most liberties anywhere in the
world, and it is worth fighting for. Voting for HB 30 will be
one more step in the right direction, he concluded.
8:22:04 AM
PAMELA GOODE, Delta Junction, Alaska, expressed support for HB
30, saying that something is missing in the fiber of America's
society as shown by the fact that [teaching American
constitutionalism] is not automatic. Freedom is dying in our own
hands, she said. She noted that she sailed around the world and
when encountering people who spoke English in Australia and New
Zealand, she expected them to be like-minded, but she said
Americans are different. "It's the way we think and the way we
approach things," she stated. She added that people would turn
to Americans for help because Americans are industrious and "can
always get stuff done." She said the reason Americans are so
different is because of the constitution and biblical principles
and values. She said she used to ask Americans if they live in a
republic or a democracy and if they knew the purpose of
government, and they could not answer. The one thing Alaskans
need to focus on is cutting the budget, and the problem is that
people do not know about smaller government and individual
liberty. She mentioned health care, Common Core [educational
standards], and the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency], and
"we can't seem to cut the budget." She said that perhaps Alaska
could lead the way in the direction the country needs to go.
8:25:14 AM
JOHN CONWELL, Superintendent, Unalaska City School District,
expressed opposition to HB 30, stating that he has taught U.S.
government and history. He appreciates the bill's attention to
American government and constitutionalism, which is an important
discussion, especially when there is so much recent emphasis on
reading, writing, and math; however, HB 30 calls for a narrow
focus more appropriate for an advancement placement or college
course. High school civics courses should leave students with a
general understanding of the constitutional foundations of the
American political system, he opined. Civics is a year-long
course in Unalaska, and students study the constitution, and the
highly-qualified history teacher should be trusted to cover the
topic while assessing the students' understanding of the
content. He said school districts "have their plates heaped
full" right now with several recently mandated initiatives. He
said that HB 30 is well-intentioned but an unnecessary, unfunded
mandate.
8:27:15 AM
VICE CHAIR REINBOLD asked what unfunded mandates he referred to.
MR. CONWELL noted the new educator evaluation system; the
restraint and seclusion requirements; and the Alaska measures of
progress testing, which has been a huge burden for his district.
CHAIR KELLER thanked the caller in the event that he had
participated in "that survey we just got from ASB." He noted
receiving many comments on unfunded mandates, and that was very
helpful, but [the survey] did not deal with HB 30. He asked if
Mr. Conwell responded to the survey. [Mr. Conwell said he did.]
8:29:10 AM
DAVID NEES, Anchorage, Alaska, stated support for HB 30. He
noted that he has a degree in history, and to know "who you are"
is to study "where you came from." So a clear, concise study of
[the constitution] is a good idea, he stated. Landed, white
males were the people who had the power at the time, "so they
got to write the document," but America has changed. Studying
such documents should be part of a U.S. history course anywhere
in Alaska. A civics course tells students that they should vote,
but that is different from knowing why they should vote, he
opined. If the legislature is adding a course to graduation
requirements, he said, the curriculum should be provided.
Additionally, HB 30 should include money "to put those textbooks
out in those classrooms." He added that he supports the bill and
said every legislator should be familiar with these documents,
as well, because they are sworn to uphold both the American and
Alaska Constitutions.
8:31:34 AM
VICE CHAIR REINBOLD thanked Ms. Nees and closed public
testimony.
8:31:43 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:31 a.m. to 8:32 a.m.
8:31:49 AM
CHAIR KELLER responded to Representative Colver's request to
release a February 10, 2015, memo from Legislative Legal
Counsel, Kate Glover, regarding an amendment that was not
offered. Chair Keller read from the memo, which stated that the
unoffered amendment "does not make any substantive changes to
the content or intent of the bill." House Bill 30 requires
schools to include American constitutionalism in their
curricula, she wrote, and the amendment specifies that the
curriculum may be taught as part of a course already required.
Ms. Glover wrote that "nothing in the language of HB 30, without
the amendment, would require the American constitutionalism
curriculum to be taught as a stand-alone course."
8:35:11 AM
CHAIR KELLER said the memo confirmed what he was thinking.
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER said he had wanted clarity that schools
would not be directed to create a new class, and some districts
already [include constitutionalism] in their high schools. He
said the memo clarifies the issue and satisfies his concerns.
8:36:14 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said the committee packet did not include
a syllabus outline or a definition of constitutionalism. He
noted that the sponsor statement indicates that students must
demonstrate knowledge of the documents, which seems to be more
than just passing a course. He pointed out that tThe sponsor
statement also states that the bill will require the Department
of Education and/or the school districts to implement courses,
which sounds like a statewide standard. Additionally, the
sponsor said that the law will provide standardized knowledge
across the state. Representative Seaton said he finds this to be
confusing, because HB 30 requires that every school district
generate a syllabus, which indicates that it will not be
consistent across Alaska. There is a memo attached to the bill
stating that the bill will result in a one-semester course in
senior year, and such language is not contained in the bill that
is before the committee, he clarified. He noted that school
districts see HB 30 as an unfunded mandate, and the Chugach
School District is in opposition. The Kenai School District
provided comments saying that the process for curriculum
development includes teacher and community committee meetings to
develop the curriculum and the courses to meet the state
standards, another committee to review the materials to support
the curriculum, and a third committee to develop quarterly and
interim assessments. He noted that the district would then have
to do a review of the implementation after one year.
8:39:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said the timing of this law is very
problematic regarding budgetary constraints. It is a mandate
that requires committee work, public meetings, and reviews, and
putting the law into statute is not something that the
legislature should do haphazardly. Additionally, the current
Alaska State Standards list the following nine requirements to
be taught: 1) the ideals expressed in the Declaration of
Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights; 2)
American history and culture, including the republican form of
government, capitalism, free enterprise, patriotism, strong
family units, and freedom of religion; 3) the U.S. Constitution,
including the separation of powers, branches of government,
majority rule, and minority rights; 4) the sharing of power
between federal, state, and local entities; 5) the importance of
individuals, public opinion, media, and others with regard to
forming and carrying out public policy; 6) diversity in the
political system; 7) the difference in constitutionally-based
ideals and the reality of American life; 8) the role of law in
America's political system; and 9) the role of dissent.
8:41:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON expressed the concern that Alaska schools
will receive a mandate to develop a separate segment of the
curriculum, which appears to be exclusive of the documents
themselves because the documents are already required to be
taught and understood. "I am at a loss to figure out, when we do
not have a definition in this bill, of what American
constitutionalism is," he added, and he questioned having the
legislature place in law this unfunded mandate that seems to be
already incorporated in Alaska's state standards. "I don't think
that we're ready to move the bill from committee," he opined.
8:42:53 AM
CHAIR KELLER stated that HB 30 is only a step to strengthen
school standards.
VICE CHAIR REINBOLD said Alaska academic standards are based on
the Common Core standards, which were not vetted and were
devised behind closed doors. She opined that HB 30 is more
critical than ever. She noted that David Coleman, chair of the
College Board, helped write the standards, and "so there's
dramatic concern across this nation for what has happened with
our standards." Now more than ever, she stated, Alaska needs to
teach the original founding documents and the constitution. She
noted that she swore to uphold and defend the constitution, "and
it's our civic duty to ensure that our children understand the
document that has held this country together."
8:44:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER moved to report HB 30, Version 29-
LS0186\W, Glover, 2/12/15, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying (zero) fiscal note. There
being no objection, CSHB 30(EDC) was reported from the House
Education Standing Committee.
8:45:01 AM
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB0030A.pdf |
HEDC 2/27/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 30 |
| HB 30 Sponsor.pdf |
HEDC 2/27/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 30 |
| HB 30 Sectional.pdf |
HEDC 2/27/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 30 |
| HB 30 Fiscal Note.pdf |
HEDC 2/27/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 30 |
| Essays on Constitution.docx |
HEDC 2/27/2015 8:00:00 AM |
|
| HB 30 Civics Board Timeline.pdf |
HEDC 2/27/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 30 |
| HB 30 Civic's Dunces.pdf |
HEDC 2/27/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 30 |
| HB 30 pro.msg |
HEDC 2/27/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 30 |
| HB 30 Testimony Feb 4.doc |
HEDC 2/27/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 30 |
| HB 30 Thompson comments.pdf |
HEDC 2/27/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 30 |
| HB 30 Wallace M. Olson.msg |
HEDC 2/27/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 30 |
| HB 30 AML ltr opposition.pdf |
HEDC 2/27/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 30 |
| HB30 Legal Memo.pdf |
HEDC 2/27/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 30 |
| CSHB30.pdf |
HEDC 2/27/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 30 |