Legislature(2001 - 2002)
04/30/2002 03:08 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. 464 "An Act relating to statewide school district correspondence study programs." RICHARD SCHMITZ, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE JAMES, testified in support of the legislation on behalf of the sponsor. He explained that the legislation would address school district correspondence study programs. The first school district correspondence study program was the Alyeska Central School, which delivers public education to students that are not in "brick and mortar" schools. Correspondence study programs have been successful and are popular with parents and students. This year, the Department of Education and Early Development instituted regulations that were distressing to a number of the parents. The intent of the legislation is to give the department direction in writing regulations. Mr. Schmitz observed that the legislation provides for a five-year review. The original provision was for a one-year review, which was felt to be onerous. He pointed out that charter schools are reviewed and approved every 10 years. The legislation also places in statute parameters for monitoring students. Monitoring would not be so strict as to be restrictive. Quarterly review by certified teachers would be required. Under the proposed regulations, a certificated teacher would be involved in every aspect of monitoring the student's progress. The legislation would allow [parents and students] the freedom to operate as they feel works best. Mr. Schmitz observed that parents taking part in correspondence study programs have received funding through stipends or reimbursements for textbooks or curriculum materials. Due to the separation of state and church, materials were not allowed to have a religious content. A question arose regarding the parents ability to use materials with a religious nature if the parent purchased the materials without state funds. The issue was resolved by adding: "Nothing in this section precludes a correspondence study student, or the parent or guardian of a correspondence study student, from privately obtaining or using textbooks or curriculum material not provided by the school district." Vice-Chair Bunde summarized that the legislation is an attempt to hold correspondence students to the same standard as other schools. Mr. Schmitz agreed. Mr. Schmitz observed that the sponsor did not agree with the accompanying fiscal note by the Department of Education and Early Development. EDDY JEANS, MANGER, SCHOOL FINANCE AND FACILITIES SECTION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT, clarified that the department requested funding for a position to assist school districts with monitoring and compliance for the statewide correspondence programs. He noted that there is a substantial amount of work with the program. The department went through a regulatory process with the expectations of providing clarity on family allotment accounts. Through the regulatory process persons associated with the program were heard. The department worked with the Galena and Nenana school districts to amend the regulations to their satisfaction. He referred to page 2, line 7: "An enrolled student shall be monitored by a certificated teacher or appropriately trained personnel employed by the governing body." The department feels that a certified teacher is the appropriate person to evaluate student's work. REPRESENTATIVE JEANETTE JAMES, SPONSOR, spoke in support of the legislation, which includes most of the regulations. She emphasized that correspondence schools are satisfied with the process. She discussed the fiscal note, which was added when the regulations were included in the legislation. She pointed out that the legislation does not require any more work than what was required under the regulations. The department indicated that they are short-funded. She pointed out that the need is not the result of the legislation. She emphasized that the funding should be placed in the budget. She is sympathetic to the department's needs, but did not think it was appropriate for the funding to be attached to the legislation because the legislation is not the cause of shortage. Mr. Jeans thought that there was a fiscal note attached to the original legislation, which was taken out in a previous committee. Co-Chair Mulder noted that the department is not being asked to do anything new. He questioned if the workload was being expanded. Mr. James observed that the programs are relatively new and have been expanded. The department is attempting to ensure that the program is working. The program has taken a large portion of the department's time. Staff is needed in order to provide the legislature with information. Co-Chair Mulder observed that the fiscal note could be considered in the conference committee. Representative John Davies MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1: delete "or appropriately trained personnel". Co-Chair Mulder OBJECTED. Representative Davies spoke in support of the amendment. He supported the department's position that it is appropriate to have certification by a certified teacher. Co-Chair Mulder spoke against the amendment. He noted that there are instances where supervision is not by a certificated teacher. He did not see the necessity of having a certified teacher if the child is hitting the mark. In response to a question by Representative Whitaker, Representative James explained that appropriately trained personnel would be employed by the governing body, which is the school. Co-Chair Mulder pointed out that grading is done quarterly by certified teachers. Representative Bunde noted that the day to day corrections would not have to be made by a certified teacher and emphasized that the quarterly review by certified teachers would allow mid course corrections. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Davies OPPOSED: Bunde, Foster, Harris, Hudson, Lancaster, Whitaker, Williams, Mulder Representatives Moses and Croft were absent from the vote. The MOTION FAILED (1-8). Representative Foster MOVED to report CSHB 464 (EDU) out of Committee with the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSHB 464 (EDU) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a previously published fiscal note: EED #2.
Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
---|