Legislature(2013 - 2014)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/03/2013 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB15 | |
| SB82 | |
| Confirmation Hearing: State Board of Education & Early Development | |
| HB87 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 15 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | HB 87 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 82 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 15-PREKINDERGARTEN SCHOOL PROGRAMS/PLANS
8:02:35 AM
CHAIR STEVENS announced the consideration of SB 15.
8:02:59 AM
SENATOR HOLLIS FRENCH, Alaska State Legislature, as sponsor,
introduced SB 15. He related that he came to the issue of pre-
kindergarten school programs as a former prosecutor. He said in
2009 the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER)
delivered a study to the legislature based on a crime study
called "The Cost of Crime." He explained that the study deal
with the question whether the state could reduce future crime
and save money by expanding education and treatment programs.
He showed a slide called "How Effective Are Various Programs at
Saving Money and Reducing Crime." He stated that the Head Start
program for young children saves six times more than it costs
and reduces future crime among participants by about 16
percentage points. He credited that information with the
beginning of his interest in pre-kindergarten education as a
crime deterrent.
8:04:36 AM
SENATOR FRENCH recalled information from a crime summit in 2012.
He addressed slides called, "More Education, Less Crime,"
"Washington State Institute for Public Policy," "Crime: The Big
Picture," and "An Example of Prevention: Early Childhood
Education (ECE)."
8:06:18 AM
SENATOR FRENCH discussed the results of studies on crime
prevention as a result of early childhood education:
standardized test score went up, high school graduation rates
increased, crime in later life decreased, special education
placement decreased, as did other factors.
SENATOR FRENCH showed cost benefit information related to early
childhood education. He summarized that there was a three-to-one
benefit on the investment versus the payoff for the child and
for society. The largest benefits were in education gains and
earnings. He concluded that early childhood education
investments nearly always break even.
He noted powerful, positive results from a three-year early
childhood pilot program in Alaska.
8:09:33 AM
SENATOR FRENCH summarized a handout from a survey from various
states that have taken up pre-kindergarten programs. He noted
the wide range of states that have implemented programs.
He said SB 15 is straightforward and makes pre-kindergarten
available on a voluntary basis for four-year-olds statewide.
CHAIR STEVENS noted that he was familiar with the Washington
State program on education research, a non-partisan
organization. He requested more information about SB 15.
8:11:07 AM
SENATOR FRENCH presented a sectional analysis. He related that
Section 1 adds pre-kindergarten to the list of offerings in an
elementary school. Section 2 allows pre-kindergarten children to
be counted in the average daily membership at a half rate.
Section 3 says a school district may provide a pre-kindergarten
program for students who are four years old. He stressed that
the program is optional.
He continued to describe the sections of SB 15. Section 4 sets
the age limit at four years old. Section 5 adds language on page
3 to say that pre-kindergarten programs can be supervised by
school districts. Section 6 defines a child of pre-elementary
school age versus a pre-kindergarten age. Section 7 adds to the
duties of school boards the obligation to implement regulations
for pre-kindergarten programs. Section 8 allows for counting
children for average daily membership. Section 9 says the school
district may not include in the average daily membership of a
school, students who are four years of age if the students are
enrolled in a program that receives state funding other than
funding under this chapter.
8:13:45 AM
SENATOR FRENCH said the fiscal note is for $45 million. He
opined that it is a little over-inflated because it is extremely
unlikely that every child that qualifies for pre-kindergarten
would enroll the first year. He suggested that the program would
take several years to ramp up.
SENATOR GARDNER said she was not aware that kindergarten is
funded at a half-time rate. She commented that all of the
kindergarten programs in her district are full day programs. She
asked why it is funded that way.
SENATOR FRENCH indicated that he did not know.
SENATOR DUNLEAVY wished to verify that the program is voluntary
for students who are not currently in the system.
SENATOR FRENCH responded that Senator Dunleavy brought up a good
point. He noted that 10 percent of eligible kids are enrolled in
Head Start, in a pilot program, or in a private school. That
leaves about 90 percent of kids in daycare because most parents
have to work.
SENATOR DUNLEAVY commented on the issue of helping older
students who are outside the system becoming part of the system.
He said the bill would expand public education to include the
students on a voluntary basis.
SENATOR FRENCH said it was a point well taken.
8:16:23 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS noted that correspondence students receive 80
percent of the base student allocation. He brought up the IDEA
program and asked how the enrollment works.
SENATOR FRENCH requested more information.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked how much BSA an IDEA student would
receive.
8:17:12 AM
SENATOR FRENCH deferred to the school district experts to
answer. He suggested that students enrolled in a classroom would
receive 50 percent of the BSA and IDEA students would be funded
separately.
SENATOR DUNLEAVY said IDEA is a public school program.
SENATOR FRENCH said he could envision the programs working
together.
SENATOR HUGGINS thought IDEA was one of the largest schools in
the state.
SENATOR FRENCH stressed the importance of collaboration.
SENATOR HUGGINS inquired how Head Start compares to pre-
kindergarten programs.
SENATOR FRENCH replied that they are similar, but not the same.
There is no overlap or competition between the two programs. He
thought Head Start was "stalled out" given the federal funding
situation and is aimed at low income kids.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked if local daycare centers could expand
their programs.
SENATOR FRENCH responded that pre-kindergarten is not daycare.
It involves having a person who is skilled in early childhood
development and education.
8:20:05 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS noted that there some parents that provide early
childhood education well. He suggested a certificate may not be
indicative of the success of a program.
SENATOR FRENCH answered that some babysitters are talented kids
who can instill a love for learning; some are not. He said he
hoped the credentialing program produces teachers that are
enthusiastic and talented at teaching children.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked if the program was indicative of the fact
that parents aren't parenting in the home or that the program is
effective.
SENATOR FRENCH responded that most parents want the best for
their kids. He stated the pre-kindergarten program, which has
been proven to improve the chance of a child's success in life,
is worth some state investment and time.
SENATOR HUGGINS asked if there are any gender factors.
SENATOR FRENCH answered no.
SENATOR DUNLEAVY stated that he applauded Senator French for
considering all Alaskans in trying to provide a good education
for kids. He asked if it matters where a child gets educated, as
long as they receive an education.
8:22:20 AM
SENATOR FRENCH replied said it does not matter where the
education takes place. He said that ideally early childhood
education would happen at home.
CHAIR STEVENS reported that he was fascinated by the
relationship between crime prevention and early childhood
education.
SENATOR DUNLEAVY asked if the program should be extended to non-
public schools.
SENATOR FRENCH explained that the fiscal note envisions every
four-year-old in the state enrolled in an early education
program in a school.
SENATOR DUNLEAVY asked if it has to be in a public school.
SENATOR FRENCH answered that the bill envisions it happening in
a public school. He pointed out that the committee could change
that.
SENATOR DUNLEAVY asked if Senator French would not be adverse to
all Alaskan children having an opportunity for a quality pre-
kindergarten program.
SENATOR FRENCH said the bill envisions a public school system,
but the committee could change that.
SENATOR DUNLEAVY emphasized that the most important thing is
that the child receive a quality education.
SENATOR FRENCH said yes.
8:24:53 AM
LES MORSE, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Education & Early
Development, answered questions related to SB 15. He addressed
Senator Gardner's question about funding part-time kindergarten.
He explained that if a kindergarten student is enrolled for at
least 4 hours of school, five days a week, they are funded as
full time.
8:26:05 AM
SENATOR GARDNER asked if SB 15 were to pass, whether there would
be adequate space.
MR. MORSE responded that SB 15 did not address the issue of
space. He opined that some districts would find that a
challenge.
CHAIR STEVENS ask Senator Huggins if he would like the IDEA
program addressed.
SENATOR HUGGINS noted that IDEA is a public education program.
He wondered if it would work within the bill's parameters.
MR. MORSE believed it would.
SENATOR HUGGINS stated that he had a bias for rejuvenating the
K-12 program. He suggested that there should be a way to address
that.
8:28:44 AM
MR. MORSE summarized that Senator Huggins was looking for a way
to improve K-12. He noted that the department is moving forward
on several things that addressed that issue, such as early
literacy program that are within the current funding for grades
1 through 3. Another goal is to raise standards and try to get
districts to develop more rigorous curriculum.
8:30:22 AM
PETER HOEPFNER, School Board President, Cordova School Board,
testified in support of SB 15. He commented on the benefits of
pre-kindergarten programs, especially when programs such as Head
Start and Best Beginnings are not available to the Cordova area.
8:31:49 AM
At ease
8:32:29 AM
CHAIR STEVENS opened public testimony on SB 15.
8:32:57 AM
RICH RHODES, Superintendent, Wrangell School District, testified
in support of SB 15. He noted his dissertation was on closing
the achievement gap and he stressed the importance of preschool
programs. He stated that education was also the answer to
preventing recidivism in prisoners.
8:34:18 AM
ELIZABETH COREY, representing herself, testified in support of
SB 15. She shared a personal story of her son's behavioral
improvement and success in preschool.
8:36:06 AM
BETH SNYDER, Early Childhood Specialist, Anchorage School
District, testified in support of SB 15. She shared the
components of a successful, quality preschool program: a
research-based curriculum, a teacher trained in early childhood,
an on-going assessment system, and regular professional
development.
She shared data about personal growth exhibited by students
enrolled in preschool. She said there is great carryover of
preschool skills into kindergarten.
She concluded that preschool works and it matters to children,
communities, and families. It is a proven intervention and it
strengthens the overall education system.
8:38:03 AM
SENATOR GARDNER asked Ms. Snyder for clarification of the
critical elements of a successful preschool program.
MS. SNYDER reiterated those qualities.
8:38:26 AM
DIRK SHUMAKER, Executive Director, Kids Corp., Inc., testified
in support of SB 15. He concurred with the previous speaker's
comments. He said the state's pilot preschool program shows that
preschools can work and are successful.
8:39:59 AM
CHAIR STEVENS held SB 15 in committee.