Legislature(1997 - 1998)
03/10/1997 01:44 PM House FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 145
"An Act relating to certification of teachers."
REPRESENTATIVE CON BUNDE, SPONSOR testified on behalf of HB
145. He maintained that there is a lack of faith in the
system. He was a participant in an Anchorage education
focus group. The focus group agreed on the importance of
public confidence in teachers and the quality of education.
He observed that the legislation is a screening devise to
9
remove teachers who are not well qualified. Teachers must
pass a basic screening test before they can receive their
Type A teaching certificate in Alaska. He observed that,
currently, the only requirement for a Type A teaching
certificate is a college degree. In addition to the
screening test, school districts apply their own criteria
for teachers. He clarified that the legislation does not
represent an attempt to tell local districts who they must
hire. He emphasized that the legislation will provide
assurance that applicants are competent. Teachers will
still be chosen through an interview process.
In response to a question by Representative Martin,
Representative Bunde clarified that a Bachelors of Science
degree in Education does not provide a teaching certificate
in the State of Alaska. The graduate still has to come to
the State of Alaska and demonstrate that they have a
teaching certificate.
Representative Martin assumed that graduates of the
University of Alaska would be competent. Co-Chair
Therriault observed that the test would also screen out-of-
state candidates.
Representative Martin noted that attitude and experience are
needed to make a good teacher. He thought that the
legislation would make it more difficult to get qualified
teachers.
Representative Grussendorf suggested that teachers be
required to pass the examination within their first year of
employment. He expressed concern that there would be a
bottleneck during hiring.
Representative Bunde observed that most hiring takes place
in early spring. Candidates would have 4 - 5 months to pass
the examination.
Representative Bunde stated that openings occur during mid-
year. He noted that available teachers, in Alaska today,
number in the hundreds. He acknowledged that there needs to
be flexibility for short-term emergency contracts.
Representative Grussendorf observed that there are
situations where teachers provide notification that they
will not fulfill their contract just before the school year.
Representative Bunde added that additional teachers might be
needed in the beginning of the school year due to an
increase in enrollment. He emphasized that the intent is
not to "tie the hands of school districts." He maintained
that the examination would be part of the process of
achieving a Type A teaching certificate.
10
JOHN CYR, NEA-ALASKA, explained that if a district can
demonstrate that they cannot find a person who is certified,
they can ask for an emergency certificate. Emergency
teaching certificates are issued for one year.
Representative Grussendorf reiterated concerns that school
boards have plenty of time to field a full academic team.
NANCY BUEHL, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION explained that there is
an emergency certificate process. The District would have
to demonstrate that they advertised for a person and could
not secure a qualified applicant. She noted that the
Department receives 3 to 4 emergency applicants a year.
Emergency certificates tend to be mid-year and from rural
districts. She stressed that it is possible to make
provisions for emergency situations in regulations. She
observed that the commissioner can issue a provisional
certificate for Alaskan studies if there are extenuating
circumstances. She stated that similar regulations can be
written in response to the legislation.
Representative Martin asked how the test would be
implemented. Representative Bunde interjected that the
legislation would only pertain to those that have not
received their Type A certificate. Ms. Buehl added that the
Department does not intend to administer the test. The
Department, through the Board of Education, would select a
nationally recognized test that is administered by a testing
company. She stated that the test would be administered
similar to the bar exam. Representative Bunde noted that 40
other states have some form of certification test.
Representative Therriault noted that most states use the
Praxis test. Ms. Buehl observed that the Praxis test is
undergoing revision.
In response to a question by Representative Martin, Mr. Cyr
explained that there are two types of substitute teachers.
certificated substitute teachers hold a valid Alaskan Type A
certificate. Districts also have non-certificated
substitutes that are under supervision of the site
supervisor. The legislation only applies to those that are
seeking initial certification.
In response to a question by Representative Davis,
Representative Bunde explained that those with Type A
teaching certificates would not be affected by the
legislation.
Representative Martin noted that rural communities might not
have replacements to fill vacancies. Representative Bunde
11
emphasized that screen tests are important in emergency
situations.
Ms. Buehl reviewed the emergency certification process. The
superintendent sends a letter to the commissioner of the
Department of Environmental Conservation. Generally,
requests are acted on the same day that they are received.
Emergency certifications are used when a district can not
locate a certified teacher but has located someone that has
some qualification. The commissioner acts on each case
separately. She could did not remember a case that was not
granted within a couple of days. The district must
advertise the position for two weeks as a condition of the
regulation.
In response to a question by Representative Davis, Ms. Buehl
noted that tests are commonly given four times a year.
Representative Davis stressed that there are a lot of
intangibles that teachers need. Representative Bunde
discussed alternative routes to certification. He noted
that a program for alternative certification was dropped due
to a lack of interest.
Ms. Buehl noted that a high percentage of minorities do not
pass these tests on the first or second attempt. She
observed that Oregon discovered that a similar requirement
lowered the available pool. She emphasized that the
Department will make sure that the test that is chosen does
not suffer from inherent bias and is available to those with
disabilities. She stressed that the test must be carefully
chosen. She clarified that the alternative certification
program was discontinued due to a lack of funding. She
thought that there would be interest in the program if
funding were available.
Representative Davies asked if there are tests available in
multiform that address the issue of inherent bias. Ms.
Buehl observed that there are at least two other states that
have engaged in development with test companies to lower
bias for student populations. She was not aware of a
teacher screening test that would eliminate bias. She
acknowledged that it is a significant concern.
Representative Davies asked if there is evidence that
similar screening requirements have resulted in an increase
in competency and public confidence in the educational
process.
Representative Bunde observed that the State of California
found that some applicants could not spell at the sixth
grade level. He spoke in support of a minimum level of
literacy.
12
Representative Martin expressed concern that the examination
will be an obstacle to Native applicants. He spoke in
support of encouraging Nataive teachers.
Mr. Cyr noted that there are only five states that do not
have some type of assessment for an initial certificate. He
emphasized that the way to get minority teachers is to work
with them within their community. He stressed that it is a
disservice to the Native community to say that the Native
community cannot take a test.
In response to a question by Representative Davies, Mr. Cyr
maintained that an initial screening is important. Ms.
Buehl did not think that the requirement would be
particularly controversial.
Representative Davies discussed the tenure process.
Representative Bunde maintained that three years is too long
to employ an incompetent teacher. Mr. Cyr observed that the
examination provides the initial license. School districts
would still evaluate practicing teachers for tenure.
(Tape Change, HFC 97-53, Side 2)
Representative Bunde observed that the test would be
administered in two levels. The first level would
demonstrate competency for elementary subjects. The second
level would test competency to teach math, English, or
science. He acknowledged that good teachers have a
"calling". He observed that students are screened during
the college process.
Co-Chair Therriault referred to the fiscal note by the
Department of Education. He observed that the Department
has reduced the fiscal note. Ms. Buehl explained that the
fiscal note was revised to reflect that the Department will
not administer the test.
Co-Chair Therriault pointed out that the Department would
still control the contract with the private sector. He
stated that fees would be paid to the Department, then the
Department would contract with the test provider. Program
receipts would come and contractual money would be
appropriated. Ms. Buehl stated that the original fiscal
note dated 3/5/97 would reflect this process.
In response to a question by Co-Chair Therriault, Ms. Buehl
explained that the Board of Education would need to meet
more frequently in order to select the test and establish
cut-off scores. She emphasized that the cut-off must be a
legally defensible cut-off. She emphasized the complexity
13
of validating the test. She clarified that the $40 thousand
dollar travel request would pay for the Board, staff and
technical advisors. The second page of the fiscal note
details the travel costs.
Co-Chair Therriault questioned the request of $77 thousand
dollars for personal services. Ms. Buehl noted that several
positions are associated with this request. She observed
that a portion of this request would go to test selection
and review. She stated that the request is spread over
existing people plus a temporary position during the
selection period. A temporary education associate will be
hired for part of the year. Co-Chair Therriault pointed
out that part of their request funds personnel that are
already contained in the budget.
In response to a question by Representative Martin, Ms.
Buehl noted that certification fees could be raised. She
stated that the current fee is not sufficient to support the
costs. She noted that 4,500 applicants would be affected
per year.
In response to a question by Co-Chair Therriault, Ms. Buehl
explained that continuing personal service costs were
included to cover additional data input. She stated that
existing staff would have to be taken off of some other
task. Co-Chair Therriault observed that the State does not
pay for the same position more than once.
Ms. Buehl noted that options available to the Department;
existing personnel would have to quit doing something,
redeploy a clerk that is in some other division, add a long
term non-permanent position, or add a new position. Co-
Chair Therriault stressed that fiscal notes are supposed to
reflect new general fund dollars.
HB 145 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|