Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/23/2024 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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Audio | Topic |
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Start | |
SB131 | |
HB89 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ | SB 131 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | HB 89 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 131 "An Act requiring education in the history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders." 9:05:48 AM SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, SPONSOR, offered a brief history of the bill. She recounted that a few years previously, the consulate for Korea visited Anchorage. The consulate had requested that the legislature work to provide education on the history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Senator Gray-Jackson read from a Sponsor Statement (copy on file): Senate Bill 131 requires schools in the State of Alaska to educate students on the history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. This curriculum will be established and provided by each school district for students in kindergarten through grade 12. The contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are aplenty and need to be taught in schools. In addition to teaching about the contributions of the two communities, schools will also educate students on the cultural and economic diversity of the communities. May is Asian Pacific American History Month and was established as a way to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese individuals to the US in 1843. There are numerous sister cities between Japan and Alaska. Closest one to Juneau is Nemuro, Japan. It is an ocean facing fishing port. As early as 1788 there were Filipino seamen contacting Alaskan Natives. As Alaska developed our natural resource industries, there was a steady stream of Filipino immigrant workers. May is also the anniversary of the Transcontinental railroad completion where most of the workers were Chinese Immigrants. Although we are recognizing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders as a group, they are very different and have their individual traditions, culture, and ways of life. It is important to teach our youth the differences within these cultures and their significance to our country. 9:08:49 AM LUMA DIAZ, STAFF TO SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON, discussed a Sectional Analysis (copy on file): Section 1: AS 14.30 is amended by adding a new section to article 10 which will require schools to teach students about the history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Each school will establish a program that is specific to the history, contributions, culture and economic diversity of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Senator Gray-Jackson emphasized that there had been massive support for the legislation and listed organizations that had expressed support: Make Us Visible Alaska, Polynesian Association of Alaska, Mana, People of Oceania Association, Pacific Community of Alaska, Filipino American National Historical Society, Filipino Community of Anchorage, AAPI Student Club University of Alaska Southeast, Consular Outreach Mission Alaska, Filipino Community of Juneau, Native Movement, UTOPIA Alaska, Korean American Community of Anchorage, Ketchikan Wellness Coalition, Sealaska Heritage Institute, Elder Della Cheney, Mat-Su Kabayan, Asian Alaskan Cultural Center. 9:10:37 AM SHAYNE NUESCA, INTERIM STATE DIRECTOR, MAKE US VISIBLE ALASKA, spoke in support of the bill. She offered a brief history of her emigration to the Unites States at 6 years old. She discussed her work collecting and documenting the oral histories of Filipinos in Alaska. She cited that Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders were the fasted growing group in the state. She noted that Anchorage was one of the most diverse cities in the country but that was not reflected in the History curriculum in schools. She listed notable contributions made by Filipino Americans in Alaska. She relayed stories of being bullied in her youth for being Filipino and hoped that passage of the legislation would lead to a better informed, more inclusive, and empathetic society. 9:14:19 AM LUCY HANSEN, CEO, POLYNESIAN ASSOCIATION OF ALASKA, spoke in support of the bill. She stressed the importance of the bill to herself and young students so they would know their history. She emphasized the importance of history and instilling knowledge in youth. She said that she had provided Asian and Pacific Islander historical knowledge and information during Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month for over 20 years. She believed that the legislation would instill history and truth of the Asian and Pacific Islander experience in the youth of Alaska. 9:17:11 AM Senator Bishop was not certain how the curriculum would be developed and how it would be taught. He requested that some history of navigation skills be included. Ms. Hansen thought other testifiers could speak to the curriculum. Co-Chair Olson expressed amazement at the history and amazing achievement of navigation. Ms. Hansen agreed. 9:18:55 AM Co-Chair Olson OPENED public testimony. 9:19:14 AM REBECCA CARRILLO, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of the bill. She asserted that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders were an integral part of America and were comprised of over 50 ethnic groups, speaking over 100 languages, with connections to Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Samoan, Tongan, and others. She added that it was crucial to add to the curriculum to K-12 education in the state. She asserted that adding the material to K-12 curriculum would help for understanding the struggles, sacrifices, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the building of America. She added that the added curriculum would enrich the experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islander youth, foster understanding, encourage tolerance, bring friendship across cultures, and bring hope and peace to an increasingly divided nation. 9:22:17 AM Co-Chair Olson asked how the bill would impact the work of the schools. KELLY MANNING, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF INNOVATION AND EDUCATION EXCELLENCE, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT (via teleconference), was not able to speak to the district's possible response to passage of the bill. She shared that updates to Social Studies standards were already being done. She said that, should the bill pass, a rubric would be identified to evaluate curriculum and support districts in incorporating the curriculum. Co-Chair Olson asked Ms. Manning to address the fiscal note. Ms. Manning discussed FN 1 from the Department of Education and Early Development. She cited that the note included costs for gathering educators to evaluate standards and creating a rubric for curriculum evaluation. She said that the note included a stipend for 20 educators to help with the process and $35,000 for a facilitator to help with the review. She said that the legal cost for updating regulation had also been included in the note. 9:25:34 AM Co-Chair Olson asked how to implement the bill so that it would not be viewed as an unfunded mandate. Ms. Manning thought it would be dependent on the existing Social Studies curriculum. If there was not already curriculum, curriculum would need to be purchased. 9:26:31 AM Senator Wilson wondered whether the sponsor had heard from any school districts about any anticipated cost. Senator Gray-Jackson relayed that she had not heard comments from any school districts. 9:27:18 AM KAYE ROLDAN, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the bill. She relayed that she had moved to Alaska at the age of 1 year. She discussed finding community and belonging at the Filipino Community Hall in Juneau. She mentioned a showcase of Filipino History in Alaska at the city museum. Ms. Roldan stressed the importance of representation in history. She quoted the late Dr. Walter Soboleff, Once you know yourself you dont harm yourself. She said that education about who you are and where you come from was critical for building confidence and keeping culture alive. 9:30:51 AM LEE MONTOYA, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of the bill. He relayed that he was a retired high school counselor from the Anchorage School District. He had found that Alaska and especially Anchorage was one of the most diverse places in the United States. He recounted that he had worked with families from all over the world. There was a large Hmong population in Anchorage. Mr. Montoya stressed that there was a huge need for the education proposed in the bill. He encouraged passage of the legislation. 9:33:17 AM TAFILISAOA TOLEAFEOA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PACIFIC COMMUNITY OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in support of the bill. She relayed that the Pacific Community of Alaska was an organization that worked in Anchorage, Juneau, Barrow, and Fairbanks. She was a mother of two and mentioned the importance of representation. She felt that the bill would elevate the voices of Asian and Pacific Islanders. She spoke of the Hokule'a voyage to Juneau. She noted that both Pacific Islanders and Indigenous Alaskans were a part of that original history. 9:36:13 AM Co-Chair Olson CLOSED public testimony. Senator Gray-Jackson corrected that there was a letter of support from the Anchorage School District in members packets. Ms. Diaz stressed that the importance of the bill was to make the curriculum mandatory and not optional. SB 131 was heard and HELD in Committee for further consideration.