Legislature(2011 - 2012)BARNES 124
01/26/2011 09:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Overview(s): Continuation of Department of Education and Early Development | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
January 26, 2011
9:05 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Alan Dick, Chair
Representative Lance Pruitt, Vice Chair
Representative Eric Feige
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative Peggy Wilson
Representative Sharon Cissna
Representative Scott Kawasaki
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
OVERVIEW(S): CONTINUATION OF DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY
DEVELOPMENT
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
ACTING COMMISSIONER LES MORSE
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided the continuation of the overview
from the Department of Education and Early Development (EED),
begun at the regular meeting of the committee on 1/24/11.
ACTION NARRATIVE
9:05:08 AM
CHAIR ALAN DICK called the House Education Standing Committee
meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. Present at the call to order were
Representatives Dick, Feige, Wilson, Cissna, Seaton, Kawasaki,
and Pruitt.
[The regular meeting of the House Education Standing Committee
was taken up immediately following the joint session, and
included a statement by Chair Dick that any outstanding House
committee questions would be compiled and presented to the
council or SESA for response. This included a request by
Representative Seaton to receive any correspondence from the
governor's office indicating funding support.]
^OVERVIEW(S): CONTINUATION OF DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY
DEVELOPMENT
OVERVIEW(S): CONTINUATION OF DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY
DEVELOPMENT
9:07:54 AM
CHAIR DICK announced that the only order of business would be
hearing the continuation of the overview from the Department of
Education and Early Development, begun at the regular meeting of
1/24/11.
9:09:13 AM
ACTING COMMISSIONER LES MORSE, Department of Education and Early
Development (EED), continuing the presentation from the previous
meeting [January 24, 2010], read statistical characteristics of
the schools/districts [committee packet handout labeled "Acting
Commissioner Les Morse Testimony House Education Committee,"
dated January 26, 2011], which included categorical information
regarding the number of schools, the number of districts, and
enrollment numbers.
9:16:53 AM
ACTING COMMISSIONER MORSE addressed the challenges and
opportunities that face EED and opined that the challenges could
be considered opportunities. Academic growth is an ongoing
issue, and means are continually being sought to better support
students. Additionally, the department is working on fine
tuning in the areas of regulatory directives and curriculum
alignment. He explained that the state establishes educational
standards, and the districts align the curriculum accordingly.
Another focus area is subject integration, for which the
department has been mapping curriculum. Academic growth is also
pursued in the area of career and technical education (CTE)
integration, which is taken up as a partnership effort with the
University of Alaska (UA) and the Department of Labor (DOL).
The department undertakes all of these steps to ensure the
success of students exiting the K-12 system.
9:21:47 AM
ACTING COMMISSIONER MORSE introduced the second major area:
refining standards and assessments. The department is working
on raising the standards to ensure that students can enter the
work force directly or continue to college without the necessity
for remediation. During the last year, formative assessment
tools have been made available on-line in the areas of science
and writing; heretofore only available for math and reading.
This allows students to informally make assessments of progress,
on an on-going basis. The availability of these tools will
enable students to be successful candidates for the Alaska
Performance Scholarship, he opined. Regarding the topic of
effective use of instructional time, he said the department is
taking two approaches. The first has been to conduct a
regulatory review to identify standards not required in statute
and recommend elimination to the state board of education. In
response to a committee member, he said that pertinent statutory
requirements would be brought to the committee for
consideration.
9:26:36 AM
CHAIR DICK acknowledged the need to prepare students for a
vocational/technical path, or for continued education, and
stressed that students should also have classes made available
for preparation as entrepreneurs.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MORSE agreed, and offered that aspects of
small business education are contained in the work being done
around CTE.
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA stressed the need to provide curriculum
for business management and entrepreneurialism.
9:29:57 AM
ACTING COMMISSIONER MORSE returned to the topic of effective use
of instructional time, and said that the area of technical
assistance is a focus. The department employs 27 teacher
mentors, and 15 principal coaches, to provide direct support in
the schools on a monthly basis; a cadre of 42 field agents.
Between onsite visit dates, contact is maintained using the
computer application Skype, along with other technological
resources such as e-mail and video conferencing.
CHAIR DICK interjected that he has received widespread,
positive, feedback regarding the effectiveness of the mentor
program.
9:32:00 AM
ACTING COMMISSIONER MORSE said the department has also built a
state system of support for the contract hiring of experts in
particular content areas, which include: reading, math,
science, and art. Underperforming students are the target for
these teachers; however, assistance is also afforded to schools
in the areas of professional development and implementation of
effective programs. The variety of approaches and tools used to
this end also includes uniquely designed webinar conferences.
He added that the contract employees are primarily retired
educators. Acting Commissioner Morse said that three recently
funded positions have allowed the department to hire content
experts. The content experts provide headquarter based support
and resources, for the field agent mentors, in the subjects of
science, math, and literacy. Additionally, the content expert's
coordinate with teacher specialists in the districts.
Supporting teachers in these ways and promoting efficient use of
classroom time, helps create instructional leaders.
9:37:19 AM
ACTING COMMISSIONER MORSE addressed the final and fourth
challenge, which is complying with federal laws. The line item
for student and school achievement has a staff of 70, of which,
he estimate, 68 will deal with federal program compliance. A
significant issue is the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which
will be reauthorized in the next three years. Also, the Title I
school improvement grants have become a challenge due to the way
in which the funding is now being allocated. Administration of
every funding source requires attention on an ongoing basis.
9:40:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA opined that the most important criteria
for scholastic success are a student's social and behavioral
health, an area in which Alaska ranks poorly. The health issues
are primarily preventable, and yet they exsert a major impact on
the classroom experience. She asked how the department is
approaching this topic.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MORSE agreed, and said it is being addressed
by the department through the governor's initiative titled DVSA
(domestic violence and sexual assault). Under this initiative,
EED was authorized to hire a coordinator to develop and promote
a comprehensive health education and training program. Although
this position is new and in the beginning stages, he reported
that it has been filled by a well qualified, experienced,
employee, and work has begun. In addition, the department is
refocusing an existing position to address the area of school
counseling and address suicide prevention.
9:46:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI asked whether Alaska participated in the
federal Race to the Top funding program.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MORSE responded that Alaska did not apply to
participate in the competition. He added that no state west of
the Mississippi River, save for Hawaii, was a recipient of the
funding. Although Alaska did not assist in developing the
common core standards, representatives were present at every
meeting. As a result, EED chose not to adopt the federal
program but to interface common core aspects with Alaska
standards; ensuring a rigorous, and relevant program.
9:48:28 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE recalled how the state's high school
students once migrated to, and boarded in, hub cities, allowing
a concentrated, consolidated, effort of education to take place.
He asked whether there is any consideration being given to
resurrecting this approach.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MORSE pointed out that there are three
boarding schools in the state: Mt. Edgecombe, Galena, and
Nenana. There is not a policy measure in place to consider this
step, however, if these schools are at capacity it could be a
question, he said.
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE opined that implementing vocational
training can be difficult when the programs are run by college
trained professionals, who may not have a direct relationship to
vocational skills.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MORSE pointed out that the CTE plan does
address the issue, and allows experts in various vocations to be
hired on a contract basis. He acknowledged that a systematic
method could prove useful.
9:54:18 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON interjected that the method identified as
the most effective for promoting graduation rates nationally,
and in Alaska, is the implementation of an advisor/advocate
program. He noted that the department does not appear to be
promoting these programs, although some districts have taken up
the practice.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MORSE deferred, and agreed that it is
important to recognize approaches that are effective and
discover ways and means for implementation.
9:56:39 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON voiced her interest to have health
issues brought to the fore. Teacher education should include
training to identify symptoms of domestic abuse or other trauma
that a child might display in the classroom.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MORSE agreed.
9:58:58 AM
CHAIR DICK announced the upcoming meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 9:59 a.m.
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