Legislature(2009 - 2010)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/12/2010 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB283 | |
| SB224 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| = | SB 283 | ||
| = | SB 224 | ||
SB 283-LEGAL AGE FOR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
8:02:32 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER announced consideration of SB 283.
CO-CHAIR THOMAS read the following sponsor statement:
A good ending is made by a good beginning.
If we are going to assure that our students finish
school successfully, we need to assure that they have
a strong beginning.
Studies show that early involvement in education is
crucial to the success of a child. Waiting until a
child is seven before starting the education process
may hinder a child's academic success. Involvement in
Head Start, Pre-kindergarten programs, or other "brain
smart" programs for children enhances their chances
for later success in school and work.
Under our current law, children do not have to enter
the school system until they are seven years old. SB
283 changes the mandatory enrollment age to six. The
trend is to start children off at younger ages, rather
than waiting. The majority of Alaskan children are
already in school by age six. The state funds
kindergarten for students as young as five, as well as
a pilot program for pre-kindergarten children. SB 283
brings statute closer to the reality of educational
practice in the state.
Currently 32 states have a minimum school age of five
or six. Of those 32 states the overwhelming majority,
24, have established age six as the mandatory starting
point. Only sixteen states have a starting point of
age seven. Originally the minimum age in Alaska was
eight, and was lowered to seven by 1929. The minimum
age has remained a constant since then, even as
society and educational practice has gone through
major changes.
Education--early education--is very important. Senate
Bill 283 helps give our children the beginning they
deserve.
CO-CHAIR THOMAS offered himself up for questions the committee
might have. He pointed out the information packet he had
provided the committee which included some of the studies that
have been done on early childhood development. He also referred
to the presentations that have been given by Bright Beginnings
in which they discuss the dramatic growth of the brain from
birth until the age of seven. They explain that after the age of
seven the growth of the brain slows down. Senator Thomas
continued that early childhood education can be a good time to
pinpoint any learning disabilities early on and correct or at
least give the child the opportunity to rise to their highest
potential. He asserted that the children that most need the
schooling are the ones that are not put in school early enough.
8:05:41 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS asked if the bill would impact Head Start's
parameters.
MURRAY RICHMOND, aide to Senator Thomas, said no, most children
are in school by that time. It would not affect Head Start.
CO-CHAIR THOMAS expanded further by explaining that the children
affected the most are those who are in no formal early
educational training for a variety of reasons. He explained
that, for this reason, the bill would bring those children into
the system that most need it.
SENATOR STEVENS asked if they had received any response from
school boards or school districts.
MR. RICHMOND answered that the only response that they had
received was from the Literacy Council who was in favor of SB
283.
8:07:21 AM
CO-CHAIR THOMAS said the response from the Anchorage and
Fairbanks School Districts was positive.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked how much exposure the bill has received.
He questioned whether they were really accomplishing something
in looking into SB 283 or were they facilitating actions that
are already taking place.
MR. RICHMOND answered that SB 283 brings the statute into what
they are doing now. By having the age seven they have made a
statement that they do not believe that early education is
important. By changing the age to six he believed they would be
recognizing this importance. Also, in regard to opposition, 12
exemptions exist in the current statute for not placing a child
in school (for example, homeschooling or an absence due to
illness). None of the exemptions would be affected by the bill.
SENATOR DAVIS agreed with the Mr. Richmond's statement and
pointed out that the bill has been introduced in similar forms
in the past and would not come as a surprise to the public. In
the past, she believed that the reason there was opposition in
trying to pass the bill was because they had tried to move the
age to five. She asserted that parents that are in opposition to
SB 283 would be able to choose from the 12 exemptions that
already exist.
CO-CHAIR MEYER asked if the reason the bill had not passed
before was because they attempted to move the age to five.
SENATOR DAVIS answered that in the past it did not receive
enough attention to be heard. However, for the past four years
the bill had received more attention, but the age was five
instead of six.
CO-CHAIR MEYER agreed with Senator Davis and recognized that the
public has been made aware of this bill for some time.
SENATOR STEVENS asked when a child would be required to attend
school if they turn six during the school year.
MR. RICHMOND said to his understanding there is a cutoff date
that is established and if the child is six before that
established date they would be required to attend school that
school year. If the child turns six after the cutoff date they
are not be required to attend school that year.
CO-CHAIR THOMAS agreed with the Mr. Richmond's statement.
8:12:55 AM
LARRY LEDOUX, Commissioner, Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED), commented that SB 283 is a good thing. It is
important that young children have some early education so that
they can learn to read. SB 283 would allow DEED to intervene if
necessary in a circumstance where a child is not receiving the
needed instruction at home.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked about the waiver to start children earlier
than the mandatory age. He asked if this would lower that age.
COMMISSIONER LEDOUX responded that the statute currently allows
children who are five by September 15 to begin school. He does
not believe it is good to start any earlier than they should. He
has not seen a lot of good come from starting a child really
early and he supports this state law. SB 283 would not affect
that statute.
8:15:04 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER closed public testimony. He asked if the
committee had any other questions or comments about the bill and
confirmed that SB 283 had a 0 fiscal note.
8:15:28 AM
SENATOR DAVIS moved to report SB 283, version R from the
committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal
note(s). There being no objection, SB 283 was moved from
committee.
8:18:22 AM
SENATOR OLSON joined the meeting.
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