Legislature(2001 - 2002)
04/25/2001 08:40 AM House EDU
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 239-VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PILOT PROGRAM CHAIR BUNDE announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 239, "An Act establishing a pilot program for a regional learning center." Number 0071 LARRY LaBOLLE, Staff to Representative Richard Foster, Alaska State Legislature, came forth on behalf of the sponsor of HB 239. He explained that this bill would establish a pilot program that creates a regional learning center. He stated that this primarily emphasizes special and vocational skills. Students would be brought in for short periods of time from the outlying areas to take programs and possibly do job shadowing. Students could be there for as short as two weeks, depending on the course. He said if this is successful, this could probably expand out so that a student could be there for a full year for a specific vocational course. MR. LaBOLLE stated that since this is a cooperative agreement between two school districts, the bill asks for support from the Department of Education and Early Development (EED). This would allow both districts to expand their curricula and provide learning opportunities that neither provide at this point. He explained that the $75,000 in the 2002 fiscal note would be to hire a coordinator to bring the two school districts together, to plan what the program is going to look like. He added that this is not a traditional boarding school program in which a student goes away from home for a year. With this the student is able to attend because he or she has demonstrated responsibility and is pursuing academics seriously. The additional "hammer" that the school district would have is that if the student does not perform in the program he or she goes home. Number 0346 CHAIR BUNDE asked if he is correct in saying that this program is unique because it uses an existing [facility], the Nome Beltz High School, and because it is a cooperative agreement between separate schools. MR. LaBOLLE answered that he was correct. He said the other difference is that students are going for only a short period of time. REPRESENTATIVE STEVENS asked if this would be under the control of the school district and whether the superintendent would be in charge of the program. He also asked if funding would eventually come through the foundation formula. MR. LaBOLLE responded that the concept is that the foundation formula should pick up the bulk of the expenses. The [attached fiscal note] is for the dormitories, food service, and travel. Number 0595 REPRESENTATIVE GUESS asked, besides the funding issue, why there needs to be a bill for the pilot program. MR. LaBOLLE answered because the EED does not clearly have the authority to do this type of program. The department is being asked to provide some oversight and funding. REPRESENTATIVE GUESS said she thinks it is a great idea but questions why [the legislature] should fund this program versus other [programs] that districts have done on their own. MR. LaBOLLE responded that the total cost of the program is going to be in the millions. In terms of why fund this one and not another, he said, it is because a pilot program is being asked for. If this applies to every school district in the state, then it is not a pilot program. He added that this is going to be expensive because it is in a rural center. Number 0704 REPRESENTATIVE WILSON asked how many different villages are involved between the two schools. MR. LaBOLLE answered 15. REPRESENTATIVE WILSON asked if [the students] would normally have to fly to get back and forth. MR. LaBOLLE answered yes. REPRESENTATIVE GREEN asked how many students are going to be served each year for $300,000. He asked if the 20 students times 40 units means that 20 students will be going through the program 40 times. MR. LaBOLLE answered that Bering Strait is looking at bringing in approximately 20 students at one time. Nome would also have students who participate in the program; however they are not counted in the boarding portion. He clarified that 40 units is the number of cycles, and a student may be there through one, two, three, or four. REPRESENTATIVE GREEN asked if that means 40 different groups of 20 [students], although some may repeat. MR. LaBOLLE answered that he is correct. Number 0842 REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA asked if there is an age range. MR. LaBOLLE responded that the concept is that this would be limited to juniors and seniors. He explained that the age limit is high school because the foundation formula is what is being used to "drive" the majority of the cost at this point in time. REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA commented that often adolescents are not emotionally ready for this kind of transition. She said high school is an appropriate time. CHAIR BUNDE asked if these kids do not have to go. MR. LaBOLLE responded that students will have to elect to go. Number 0968 REPRESENTATIVE JOULE stated that he would like to commend [Mr. LaBolle] on this concept. He said when this kind of program is exposed to students in the villages, it then makes sense why the high school exit exam becomes so important, because it starts to matter to them. Students can see economic opportunities that they can have in their communities. REPRESENTATIVE WILSON stated that one of the candidates [in the earlier confirmation hearings] made a comment that it is important for kids to have choices. Representative Wilson said she thinks this will give [students] a brief "snapshot" into the future of possible choices for them. REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL stated that he first equated this to costing over $15,000 per student a year, which he said seems to be excessively high. However, after clarifying with Mr. LaBolle that really 600 or 700 students each year will be associated with this for a week or two, he said he thinks that actually equates to a worthwhile endeavor. He asked what [the legislature] will get back, when this either sunsets or is extended, that says whether this is a success or not. MR. LaBOLLE answered that if the program runs for four years, the measure, in his opinion, would be what students do once they get out of high school, and if they are pursuing the types of careers they were exposed to when they were in Nome. He stated that since one of the components of this program is to teach independent living skills, the students' transition in finding employment is a measurable thing. Number 1225 CHAIR BUNDE asked if there would be a formal report back to the legislature. MR. LaBOLLE responded that he would assume that would be a part [of the pilot program] because there is going to be a need to extend the sunset. CHAIR BUNDE remarked that [the committee] is anticipating, if this bill goes forward, that there will be a formal report to the legislature. MR. LaBOLLE commented that it has also been suggested that there be a third-party evaluation so that it would not just be in- house. Number 1283 REPRESENTATIVE STEVENS stated that if [the legislature] were adequately funding the foundation formula, districts would be able to do this through their district foundation formula. He asked if this is a pilot program for the Nome area in that this is the first time it is being done, or if it is a pilot program for the entire state whereby other districts can learn from what is being done. MR. LaBOLLE responded that the concept is that once there is experience with this and it begins to prove out, hopefully it will be applied statewide. Number 1341 REPRESENTATIVE JOULE moved to report HB 239 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 239 moved from the House Special Committee on Education.
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