Legislature(2003 - 2004)
03/11/2003 03:00 PM House HES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HJR 13-FEDERAL EDUCATION LAW OF 2001 CHAIR WILSON announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 13, Urging adoption of the Alaska recommendations for implementing the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Number 1044 REPRESENTATIVE GATTO, speaking as the chair of the House Special Committee on Education, the sponsor of HJR 13, read the following statement: We urge adoption of the Alaska recommendations for implementing the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The No Child Left Behind Act [NCLB Act] is a mammoth piece of federal legislation the implications of which encompass nearly every facet of the educational system in the state of Alaska. The implementation of the NCLB Act is a daunting task for every state; however, it is vital that the federal Department of Education recognize the true uniqueness of Alaska. The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development have been working on Alaska's application for two years and have submitted a proposal for peer review. It is important that Alaska be allowed to develop a plan which works well in this extremely large and diverse state that we live in. I ask your support of HJR 13, which urges prompt approval of the Alaska consolidated state application accountability workbook so that the children of Alaska may experience the full benefits that the No Child Left Behind Act promises for each and every child. Number 1116 REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER began discussion of Amendment 1, and directed the committee's attention to page 2, lines 11-14. She inquired as to why the example uses the North Slope Borough School District. She expressed the desire to refrain from pointing to one school district. Therefore, she suggested deleting language beginning on page 2, lines 11-14. Start deleting language beginning with "; for example," and continue to the end of line 14 where it ends with a ";", she suggested. CHAIR WILSON suggested just deleting the name of the school district. She said she believes the reason the aforementioned language was included was to prove that Alaska is truly unique. REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER said she see Chair Wilson's point and agreed to the deletion of the name of the school district. The committee took a brief at-ease from 3:18 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. Number 1225 CHAIR WILSON moved that the committee adopt the following as Amendment 1: Page 2, line 11 Delete "the North Slope Borough School" Insert "one" Page 2, line 13 Delete "the" Insert "this" Page 2, line 14 Delete "North Slope" Insert "school district" There being no objection, Amendment 1 was adopted. Number 1285 MARY FRANCIS, Ph.D., Executive Director, Alaska Council of School Administrators, began by informing the committee that she represents all of the superintendents, school principals, and business officials in the state. Dr. Francis said she believes HJR 13 is an excellent resolution. She noted that the department has submitted the concerns the State of Alaska has with regard to the implementation of the federal law. She pointed out that the federal legislation is difficult for more than just the rural and remote districts. For example, she told the committee that the previous president of the State Board of Education [and Early Development] is a longtime teacher, 30-35 years, in the Fairbanks School District, and under the new guidelines she would not be considered a highly qualified teacher, even though she has been recognized as one of the finest teachers in the state. Dr. Francis noted the Alaska Council of School Administrators supports of HJR 13, and she urged its passage. Number 1377 REPRESENTATIVE HEINZE moved to report HJR 13, as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHJR 13(HES) was reported from the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|