03/13/2009 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB33 | |
| Overview(s): Roundtable Discussion on Structuring a Needs-based Scholarship Program for Alaska | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 33 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 13, 2009
8:04 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Paul Seaton, Chair
Representative Cathy Engstrom Munoz, Vice Chair
Representative Bryce Edgmon
Representative Wes Keller
Representative Peggy Wilson
Representative Berta Gardner
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Robert L. "Bob" Buch
OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative David Guttenberg
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 33
"An Act relating to compulsory school attendance; and providing
for an effective date."
- HEARD AND HELD
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSSION ON STRUCTURING A NEEDS-BASED SCHOLARSHIP
PROGRAM FOR ALASKA
- HEARD AND HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 33
SHORT TITLE: RAISE COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AGE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) MUNOZ
01/20/09 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/9/09
01/20/09 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/20/09 (H) EDC, FIN
03/13/09 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
WITNESS REGISTER
JACQUELINE (JACKIE) MARTIN, Executive Committee Member
Alaska Native Sisterhood (ANS) of the Grand Camp;
Counsel Member, ANS Camp 70 Local Camp
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Her testimony in support of HB 33 was read
into the record by Representative Munoz.
TERRY HARVEY, Staff
Representative Cathy Munoz
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 33, on behalf of
Representative Munoz, prime sponsor.
ELI ROLFE, Student
Yaakoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 33.
REBECCA LEE, Student
Yaakoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 33.
BRETT DILLINGHAM, Co-Chair
Alaska State Literacy Association (ASLA) Advocacy Committee
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Expressed the need for modifications to HB
33.
PATRICIA GEORGE, Co-Chair
Alaska State Literacy Association (ASLA) Advocacy Committee
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Encouraged the committee to amend HB 33 in
order to change the compulsory school attendance age to 6.
LYDIA GARCIA, Executive Director
NEA-Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 33.
JULIE MACHAKOS
Home School Parent
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During hearing of HB 33, questioned whether
raising the compulsory school attendance age would necessarily
provide an 18-year-old student more of a reason to attend school
than a 16-year-old student.
PEGGY COWAN, Superintendant
Juneau School District
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Encouraged the committee to forward HB 33
and support it.
CODY BALDWIN, Student
Yaakoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 33.
JORDON CURDOW, Student
Yaakoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 33.
MARK CHOATE, President
Juneau Board of Education
Juneau School District
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 33.
DIANE BARRANS, Executive Director
Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
Department of Education and Early Development (EED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the roundtable discussion
on structuring a needs-based scholarship program for Alaska.
SAICHI OBA, Assistant Vice President for Students
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the roundtable discussion
on structuring a needs-based scholarship program for Alaska.
HARRY NEED, Graduate Student
University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the roundtable discussion
on structuring a needs-based scholarship program for Alaska.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:04:08 AM
CHAIR PAUL SEATON called the House Education Standing Committee
meeting to order at 8:04 a.m. Representatives Seaton, Wilson,
Munoz, Keller, and Gardner were present at the call to order.
Representative Edgmon arrived as the meeting was in progress.
HB 33-RAISE COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AGE
8:04:32 AM
CHAIR SEATON announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 33, "An Act relating to compulsory school
attendance; and providing for an effective date."
8:05:27 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ, speaking as the sponsor of HB 33, said
that she was motivated to introduce HB 33 due to what she has
observed in Juneau. She related that in Juneau one of four-five
youth don't complete school. Anecdotally, these drop-outs
aren't necessarily failing academically, but rather there could
be bullying issues and interpersonal problems. In fact, she
related her understanding that whether a student drops out could
be correlated with the failure of freshman physical education.
Allowing youth to [end there secondary education] at the age of
16 sends the wrong message. Across Alaska, 57,000 Alaskan
residents over the age of 18 don't have a high school diploma.
Furthermore, 4,000 youth are dropping out of school every year.
This legislation proposes to change statute while maintaining
the existing exemptions for those youth who are home schooled,
attend private schools, as well as those youth who meet the
requirements of the law prior to age 18. Representative Munoz
opined that strengthening the law and extending the mandatory
attendance age is a tool that will empower parents since parents
will have the ability to say the youth has to stay in school and
the law will support that. The change proposed in HB 33 is
supported by school districts across the state, including the
Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Cordova School Districts.
Representative Munoz expressed the need to work hard to continue
the successes such as in the area of vocational education in
order to find meaningful work and experiences for students. She
pointed out that the committee packet should include a letter of
support from Anchorage Superintendant Carol Comeau.
8:09:37 AM
JACQUELINE (JACKIE) MARTIN, Executive Committee Member, Alaska
Native Sisterhood (ANS) of the Grand Camp; Counsel Member, ANS
Camp 70 Local Camp, had her testimony read into the record by
Representative Munoz [original punctuation provided]:
We support HB 33; to encourage and give young people a
chance to return to school to complete their
education. We can read negative into House Bill 33
and say that 50% of our students are (commonly called)
"Drop outs," but we say we have 50% graduates and the
rest are "Push out."
Please accept these comments as encouragement to pass
HB-33. I offer these answers to the questions put
forth by your Education Committee.
1. What are the basis of a high school diploma
Basis for a high school diploma comes easily with a
positive family and community; even then, sometimes
this isn't enough, they need a second chance once
obstacles have been identified. The second chance is
HB-33.
A high school diploma is hard to come by, rules and
laws change not quickly but fast enough to see a
difference in graduates. "No Child Left Behind"
"Qualifying exam," and other obstacles such as drugs
and alcohol are made available to the children. There
are many social issues in large and small communities.
Please don't misinterpret me, I believe in some of the
new laws and changes.
2. Is there an inherent problem with the design of
graduation requirements that produce drop outs?
The Tlingit tribe in this area can take up hours of
your time telling you sorrowful stories in our own
Juneau school district. Some inherent problems are
discrimination, social issues, and poverty.
Yes, it is an inherent problem, not only in Alaska
but, it is a national problem. There are many
beautiful teachers that give more then themselves;
they also use their own funds, and I offer these
teachers kudos.
How does a community instill zero dropout tolerance of
its community? Pass this Bill and let's get our
communities back on track. I believe in the old
saying "it takes a community to raise a child".
3. Is the high school qualifying exam a positive or a
negative as relates to student performance and
graduation?
I spoke about the percent success rate among the
Alaska Natives, so now let's address the negative.
According to newspapers we [Alaska Native and American
Indians] have the highest rate of drunks, the most
suicides, the most thieves, the most sex abuser, and
we have the highest percentage of drop outs. I would
like to see solution to these statistics; it is
tiresome to read statistics without solutions.
I heard a speaker talk about herself as an Alaska
Native [she is a successful person today was perhaps
talking about the natives as a whole] as being
invisible in the school system. Time is changing
relationships among the Natives and Governments and
local residents. I do see many good changes, I see
Alaska Native gaining respect in our community, and
I'm 66 years old and have seen more natives and non
natives working together, there is hope for change
among our students. I believe with the passage of
this bill, change will begin and the drop out rate
will lessen, not immediately, but it will begin soon.
Is the qualifying exam a good thing? Yes, it helps
our successful natives' offers an equal chance in the
national population.
Then on the other hand this is a difficult exam for
many and many oppose this exam, I believe also that
this is one of many reasons why many drop out of
school today, they can't pass the exam.
Conclusion
Thank you for your time, we realize that there is much
opposition to this House Bill; we heard many
statistics about the Native Peoples' problems. Today
we the ANS Grand Camp and ANS Camp 70 stand in support
of HB-33 as a beginning of many solutions to come for
our students.
8:14:40 AM
TERRY HARVEY, Staff, Representative Cathy Munoz, Alaska State
Legislature, paraphrased from the following prepared statement,
which read [original punctuation provided]:
On February of this year President Obama in his State
of the Nation address to Congress stated,
"Dropping out of high school is no longer an option.
It's not just quitting on yourself; it's quitting on
your country. And this country needs and values the
talents of every American."
That's a powerful statement. "Dropping out of High
School is no longer an option."
The premise of HB 33 is to take that statement and
bring it home to Alaska. We take that statement and
add,
"Dropping out of High School is no longer an option
for students in Alaska until they reach the age of 18.
The current age for an exit early from school in
Alaska is 16. There are exemptions in our statutes,
but otherwise, until 16, you must remain in school.
HB 33 proposes a change in that statute and says to
our young people in Alaska, "You no longer have our
permission to leave school before you graduate."
That's also a pretty strong statement. But it is meant
to be. It's tough love. Compulsory attendance age
laws in our nation are tough love and have been in
place in Alaska since 1929.
"Dropping out of high school is no longer an option."
It's a very strong statement. But if you recall from
last Wednesday's House Committee on Education, during
our round table discussion on the subject of the
dropout dilemma in Alaska, there were equally strong
statements made.
Karl Rose, Director of the Alaska Association of
School Boards, who is here today in support of this
bill, spoke about the effort of solving this problem,
he stated;
"Schools cannot do this alone"
We agree. It takes a community to address a problem
of this magnitude. Karl has stated in the past, "This
is an issue we all own." The Legislature is a part of
that community in Alaska and indeed is part owner of
this problem. HB 33 is how you, as legislators, can
be a part of the solution, by addressing one
component, one piece of the puzzle.
Eric McCormick was here from the Dept of Education on
Wednesday. He spoke of the recent gathering last
month that included the Department of Education,
School Boards, School Districts, and Teachers, who met
to find ways to address the early exit problem in
Alaska. He said we will approach this with the new 3
R's
"Rigor, Relevance, Relationships"
HB 33 requires the rigor of students, and of
educators, to make it all the way to graduation. This
morning we will no doubt discuss the issue of
'Competence versus Endurance'. That's a valid debate.
We will discuss competence, and diversity, and
alternative programming, which are designed to engage
our students on whatever level is necessary to reach
success. We welcome that discussion as it directly
correlates to our bill. Because without the diversity
in school programming that reaches out to the
individual needs of each student, raising the
compulsory age will have little effect.
Getting back to competency versus endurance, make no
mistake; getting the 21 credits required to graduate
from our schools does require endurance. Anyone who
has graduated from high school can attest to the
endurance needed to get that diploma, some of us in
this room, certainly I can. But in order to endure
the rigor of getting that diploma, we must do
everything we can to encourage our students,
especially our at risk students, to stick it out, to
make it to the end.
HB 33 does that. It tells everyone there is an
expectation that until the age of 18 you will be in
school, it's in our statutes, it's a minimum
requirement.
Walter Sobeloff, who has been in the education
business in Alaska for 39 years, 39 years as a
teacher, as an administrator, currently as an
instructor for people of all ages who have dropped out
seeking their GED. Walter was here on Wednesday and
said,
"Our responsibility is to look for every possible
solution to seek success for our students."
HB 33 is one of those possible solutions that this
legislature can seek. I believe we can all agree
there is no single solution to this problem. And we
say again, HB 33 is only one component towards our
common goal.
Karen Martinson, an educator from Sitka, an
alternative high school teacher, who knows a great
deal about this, stated on Wednesday,
"We need an emergency response"
She is right. HB 33 is that kind of response.
Bottom line, HB 33 represents a public policy
statement that the legislature can make to address the
commonly used excuse for early exit students;
"Because I can."
To Parents, Teachers, School Boards, Administrators,
Citizens of this State, and the Legislature, this bill
provides our response to 16 year olds in Alaska.
These young people, many of whom, if not most, or even
all, are not prepared to make an important decision
like this. And we have stacks of evidence sitting
right here that is compelling. We know early exit
kids will earn far less than those who graduate, that
even staying in school for an additional year,
graduate or not, will increase their earning potential
substantially. We know if they exit early they will
be more likely to be a part of our Corrections system,
and not as employees. They will need more in the way
of public assistance costing our state multi millions
in dollars every year. We can, with HB 33, remove the
one excuse most early exit students declare, "Because
I can."
8:20:31 AM
MR. HARVEY then directed attention to the committee packet,
specifically Attachment A, entitled "Raising the Compulsory
School Attendance Age: The case for Reform." Page 2 of
Attachment A specifies the "Top Five Reasons Dropouts Identify
as Major Factors For Leaving School," which included the student
feeling as if he/she had too much freedom and not enough rules
in his/her life. Another important aspect of the aforementioned
report is that overall enrollment rates among 16-year-olds are
lower in states that allow them to dropout at age 16. Mr.
Harvey related that a study performed by Joshua Angrist and Alan
Krueger utilized a complex equation and studies that found the
compulsory age has been affective in raising the percentile
rates. He then turned attention to Attachment B, entitled "Stay
In School: new Lessons On the Benefits of Raising the Legal
School-Leaving Age" by Philip Oreopoulos. The aforementioned
study took an academic approach with a complex formula that
ultimately predicted that raising compulsory ages to age 17 or
18 had a positive percentage increase [in those staying in
school]. The committee packet also includes a study from the
Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER), which
addresses the overall issue of early exits and provides overall
general information. He noted that the committee packet should
also include the National Education Association's 12-point
action plan, which lists mandating high school education at the
top of the list. This particular study is specific to Alaska,
and thus it was viewed as necessary to include.
8:23:26 AM
MR. HARVEY then informed the committee that the committee packet
should include Attachment E entitled "Understanding the Issue of
the High school Dropout Age" from a Learning Point Associates
report about compulsory school attendance ages. The study
relates that in Texas compulsory school age laws are allowed to
be raised on a county-by-county basis. The Pasadena school
district has done an excellent job of tracking and has had
positive results from changing the compulsory age from 16 to 17
years of age.
8:24:18 AM
MR. HARVEY, referring to Attachment F, reminded the committee
that last fall Senator Lisa Murkowski brought a number of
educators in Anchorage together. The aforementioned, he opined,
highlights the awareness of this issue in Alaska. He then
directed attention to Attachment G, which highlights a
specialized alternative program in the Chugach School District
that has been successful. The Voyage to Excellence program
boasts a 98 percent graduation rate.
8:25:45 AM
MR. HARVEY, in response to Chair Seaton, clarified that the
Chugach School District hasn't mandated a compulsory age of 18.
The desire to highlight this program was to merely illustrate
its success, even with the existing compulsory age of 16.
8:26:58 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON inquired as to the meaning of the term
"shall" on page 1, line 7, of the bill. He also inquired as to
whether there will be any type of enforcement mechanism.
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ answered that "shall" is the current
language in statute. The legislation only changes the mandatory
compulsory age.
8:28:05 AM
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON expressed excitement for the support from
the school districts for this legislation, as this is not a new
idea. She characterized HB 33 as a start, an anchor. The
latest brain development research indicates that a 16-year-old
isn't capable of making decisions with consequences, which
really doesn't materialize until about age 24.
8:29:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER directed attention to the e-mail from
Kelly Foreman, which includes statistics that indicate that
states with a compulsory attendance age of 17 or 18 have a
slightly higher dropout rate that states with a compulsory
attendance age of 16. She then highlighted an e-mail from Todd
Brocious that discusses truancy data that is reported federally
on a regular basis. She expressed interest in having the
truancy data in order to review how 15-year-olds who don't go to
school are addressed. She questioned why one would believe
those who can't get their 15-year-olds to stay in school would
be able to do so until the youth is 17- or 18-years old.
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ said she would obtain the truancy
information. Additionally, she recalled that there is
information outlining the numbers of dropouts per age. She
further recalled a spike in the number of dropouts at age 16.
8:32:44 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER recalled her children relating that there
were many students who cut school, misbehaved, and did drugs in
ththth
9 grade, but not in 11 and 12 grade. She recalled that the
th
students who were problems in 9 grade were gone by the time
thth
they would've reached 11 or 12 grade. She surmised that those
are the youth being targeted [by HB 33], and pointed out that
targeting these youth isn't without risks to the rest of the
school population.
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ related that the former principal of the
Juneau alternative high school reports that often a single
situation, something simple, can result in a student feeling
frustrated and wanting to give up. She opined that if the
compulsory age is 18-years-old or until the student reaches the
specified education requirements, the easy exits wouldn't happen
as often.
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER said although that approach seems
reasonable, the chart [provided by Kelly Foreman] doesn't seem
to bear that out.
MR. HARVEY pointed out one of the frustrations with the dropout
issue is accurately tracking it because states are compiling,
reporting, and tracking the data differently. Furthermore, the
information could be interpreted to mean that compulsory age
rates don't really make a difference.
8:35:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER suggested then that perhaps comparing
over time a state that had a compulsory age of 16 that went to
18 years of age would make more sense.
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ offered to obtain such information.
8:35:55 AM
CHAIR SEATON opened public testimony.
8:36:51 AM
ELI ROLFE, Student, Yaakoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School,
opined that the reasons students dropout are various.
8:38:44 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER inquired as to what he thinks of HB 33.
MR. ROLFE said he believes the proposal [encompassed in HB 33]
seems good, for the most part. However, he questioned what will
happen to those students who don't attend school. For those
students who don't attend school in order to work and earn money
for their family, fines for not attending school would be
counterproductive.
8:39:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ related her understanding that existing law
includes an exemption for emancipated students who have to earn
a living, and this law would not change that.
8:40:19 AM
REBECCA LEE, Student, Yaakoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High
School, expressed concern for those students who have to face
things that others never do, including having a child and not
living at home. She related that when she, under the age of 16,
dropped out of school she didn't see a truancy officer for 1½
year. She acknowledged that students are too young to realize
the importance of school. In fact, she recalled that it wasn't
until the middle of her junior year that she discovered the
importance of school. Therefore, she opined that raising the
compulsory attendance age is probably the best scenario.
8:41:22 AM
MR. ROLFE added that perhaps speaking with students as equals
would be helpful in terms of helping potential dropouts
understand that they can't survive as well without graduating
from high school.
8:41:54 AM
MS. LEE opined that students have more of an influence on their
peers than teachers, which are often viewed as authority figures
"who are trying to put us down."
8:42:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON shared that she was a student who dropped
out of school, had a baby, and then returned to school, and
therefore has some understanding of the situations teenagers
face. She remarked that just because a student drops out, it
doesn't mean that he/she can't return to high school. She
thanked the students for having the courage to testify today.
8:43:01 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER asked if the alternative school Ms. Lee
and Mr. Rolfe are attending have helped them clarify the goals
to achieve graduation.
MS. LEE identified confrontations with other students and
teachers as an issue. Confrontations among students can be
ignored because the school is large enough. However,
confrontations with teachers are another matter since students
have to be with them for lengthy periods of time. She
characterized the environment in the Yaakoosgé Daakahídi
Alternative High School as a big family. She related that on
Fridays, everyone works on how students will graduate and how
they will go to college. Basically, [staff in Yaakoosgé
Daakahídi Alternative High School] get to know the students.
The aforementioned makes a big difference, she opined.
8:44:42 AM
BRETT DILLINGHAM, Co-Chair, Alaska State Literacy Association
(ASLA) Advocacy Committee, informed the committee that the
Alaska State Literacy Association has over 500 members, making
it the largest educational organization in the state. He
related that the members of ASLA would like modifications to HB
33, particularly changing the compulsory start age to age 6.
For those children who don't start school until age 7, almost
all of those children are behind in reading and arrive
unprepared for the testing that begins at age 8. A very high
percentage of the aforementioned students have behavioral
problems and become drop outs later in life. Therefore, ASLA
believes that a compulsory start age of 6 would take care of
many of the problems down the road.
8:47:08 AM
PATRICIA GEORGE, Co-Chair, Alaska State Literacy Association
(ASLA) Advocacy Committee, provided the following testimony:
The Alaska State Literacy Association strongly
believes that mandatory school age attendance age
should be lowered from age 7 to 6. There is several
House and Senate bills currently under consideration
that would provide quality preschool and kindergarten
programs. In your packet you'll see the Alaska State
Literacy Association's position paper on literacy
development in Alaska children ages 3 to 5. However,
we believe that ... our children need to be required
to attend school by age 6. We have provided the
committee with a chart and summary showing that ...
there are 32 states that require students attend
school by age 6.
From my personal experience as a First grade teacher,
there is no way to compel parents to have their
children in school ... to compel students to attend
school. ... if they're not at their [school]
regularly and on time, they miss critical learning
steps. I know that there are parents who feel that
changing statute will infringe on their rights as
parents, but it is my understanding that the change in
mandatory school attendance age doesn't change any of
the waivers already built into the law. It is
important to have children who attend public school
come to school regularly so that they don't miss the
critical steps in the learning process. House Bill 33
is an appropriate vehicle to make the change in state
statute. We urge you to amend House Bill 33 to lower
the mandatory school age from 7 to 6. We provided ...
a proposed amendment. Thank you and we'd be happy to
answer any questions.
8:49:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked if there are any reasons involved
parents might not want their 5- or 6-year-olds to attend school
for a full day of school. More specifically, Representative
Gardner asked whether full-day school is appropriate for all 5-
and 6-year-olds.
MS. GEORGE clarified that ASLA is requesting compulsory school
attendance for children age 6, which is normally the age of a
first grader. As a First Grade teacher, Ms. George related that
even many competent parents don't believe that their children
have to be at school on time or even come on a Monday, say. The
aforementioned, she opined, stems from the lack of a mandate
requiring a child under the age of 7 to attend school.
8:50:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER specified that she is referring to
parents who are well engaged. She opined that there are some
children who aren't developmentally ready to attend public
school, or their parents are doing things with the children, but
it's not formally home schooling. She related her belief that
full-day kindergarten may not be appropriate or in the best
interest for all children age 5 or even 6.
MR. DILLINGHAM related his understanding and suggested that
perhaps there's a way to identify such children. He further
suggested that perhaps a waiver or an exemption could be
utilized.
8:52:26 AM
MS. GEORGE pointed out that the committee packet includes
documentation regarding the mandatory school attendance age in
each state. The chart illustrates that most states with a
compulsory school attendance age of 5 also provide for a waiver.
As a teacher, Ms. George related her belief that it's important
to meet the needs of every child in the classroom, even those
children who aren't as developmentally developed as the
remainder of the class. Most teachers, she further related,
recognize that students enter school with a broad range of
abilities. However, she pointed out that as the student ages,
the gap been the "cans and cannots" widens.
8:54:03 AM
LYDIA GARCIA, Executive Director, NEA-Alaska, paraphrased from
the following prepared statement [original punctuation
provided]:
I'm here today to testify in support of House Bill 33.
This bi-partisan legislation is an attempt to address
the problem of, quite frankly, children not remaining
in school.
The reasons teenagers decide to drop out of school are
many and varied, but certainly there are times when it
is just the fact that legally they do not have to
attend school which helps them out the door.
House Bill 33 will raise the upper end of mandatory
attendance in Alaska's schools to the age of 18.
While this is certainly not a silver bullet, it is a
good ingredient in any recipe for success in life. As
the sponsor has stated, the more education one
receives the better earning potential one acquires and
a better chance of personal success ensues.
About six weeks ago, 450 public school employee
delegates, elected by their peers met at the Anchorage
Hilton and set the policy for the coming year for NEA-
Alaska. One of the resolutions passed by the 2009
NEA-Alaska Delegate Assembly stated "NEA-Alaska
believes the legislature should establish policies for
non-compliance with Alaska's compulsory attendance
laws."
This legislation takes those laws a step further. It
is the belief, however, of NEA-Alaska that a law with
no teeth would serve little purpose.
Alaska's school employees work hard to offer our
children opportunities that prepare them for life. We
cannot fulfill the promise of a high quality education
for Alaska's children if they are not in our
classrooms.
We applaud the efforts and direction of House Bill 33
and ask that you move this legislation from committee.
8:56:53 AM
CHAIR SEATON pointed out that the committee packet includes
Attachment D entitled "NEA's 12 Point Plan for Reducing the
School Dropout Rate." The aforementioned plan calls for a
compulsory school attendance age until age 21 or the individual
receives a diploma. He asked if that's the position of NEA-
Alaska as well.
MS. GARCIA replied yes, adding that the intent is not to be
punitive, but rather finding systems to build in to assist
students to succeed in education. At times that may look
differently due to alternative education options. Furthermore,
special needs of the student could cause the circumstances to
vary.
8:58:13 AM
CHAIR SEATON related his understanding that NEA's position is to
mandate high school graduation or equivalency as compulsory for
everyone below the age of 21.
MS. GARCIA specified that age 18 would be the ideal situation.
However, reaching out to the 19- to 21-year-olds is an option
for providing education to those who want it, but can't
accomplish it by age 18. She clarified that the intent isn't
that youth need to stay in school until age 21.
8:59:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON related support for the concept of HB 33.
However, as pointed out by Todd Brocious in Attachment J,
there's no uniform or standardized response to truancy in
Alaska's public schools because such laws are explicitly given
to districts to establish their procedures. Furthermore,
statistics provided by Kelly Foreman, seem to indicate that this
may look good on paper but may not achieve exactly what is
desired. Therefore, he questioned whether more than merely
raising the bar from age 16 to 18 is necessary.
MS. GARCIA related her perspective that raising the compulsory
school attendance age is not the limit of what needs to happen.
She suggested that there should be an infusion of funds to
schools to enhance the programs, enhance professional
development for educators, and enhance opportunities for
families, schools, and community partnerships.
9:01:20 AM
CHAIR SEATON relayed that every study he has read suggests
raising the compulsory attendance age in conjunction with
changing the delivery of education. However, he cautioned the
members with regard to discussions of other changes because only
HB 33 is before the committee.
9:02:03 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON questioned whether there is any merit to
reviewing Alaska's truancy laws to support HB 33 going forward.
MS. GARCIA answered that she always encourages review of current
laws with regard to whether they're working and if not, what's
necessary for them to be more effective.
9:03:05 AM
MS. GARCIA, in response to Representative Gardner, clarified
that NEA's 12-point action plan is the national action plan and
doesn't include NEA-Alaska's resolution encouraging the
legislature to develop policies for noncompliance with Alaska's
school attendance laws.
9:04:19 AM
JULIE MACHAKOS, Home School Parent, referring to the previous
comment that students should be allowed the chance to complete
education, said that children have a chance to do so whether
it's compulsory or not. For the two young people who testified
today, it is apparent that they have a reason to be in school
and are taking responsibility for their own education. However,
she questioned whether raising the compulsory school attendance
age would necessarily provide an 18-year-old student more of a
reason to attend school than a 16-year-old student. Ms.
Machakos further questioned whether compulsory school attendance
laws create a desire to learn in students. Perhaps changing the
way things are done in schools would make more of a difference
than compulsory education. She noted that she likes the notion
of an alternative school in which students are very involved in
their education.
9:07:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER commented that the best thing that
students can have is caring parents. He opined that it's a
dangerous situation if the state becomes the parent and takes
over the responsibility of the parent.
MS. MACHAKOS related her belief that for those children whose
parents aren't involved, it's important for the children to be
motivated to learn, which seems to be the case in Juneau's
alternative high school.
9:08:58 AM
PEGGY COWAN, Superintendant, Juneau School District, paraphrased
from a written statement, which read as follows [original
punctuation provided with handwritten additions]:
One of the JSD Board of Education priorities for this
legislative session is increasing the compulsory
attendance age. The Board's priority statement on
this issue reads in part,
"The current law requires attendance until age 16. So
far in the JSD this year, 46 percent of dropouts were
under age 18. Increasing the mandatory age to 18
helps prevent students who are not mature enough from
making decisions to forgo basic education and provides
a chance for them to meet performance standards and
pass the HSQE [high school qualifying exam]."
We own the drop out problem as a district. We are
addressing the drop out problem in our district.
Since I became superintendent the graduation rate has
increased by 22% in the Juneau School District. We
worked with our borough and established local truancy
penalties and will continue to work on the penalty and
enforcement side. We still have a ways to go and room
for improvement. We will continue to do what we can.
This is a big enough problem that we need to team with
the state. At the policy level the legislature can
assist districts by raising the compulsory attendance
age and clearly communicating that the state of Alaska
believes that education is important for all of our
children.
As Representative Wilson stated, brain research
clearly shows that the judgement portion of the brain
in a 15-16 year old child is not well developed.
The legislature will empower parents to keep their 16
and 17 students in school with this law. Now, parents
can NOT stop their child from dropping out on their
th
16 birthday.
The correlations with dropping out are ALL negative -
greater chance of poverty, ill health, incarceration,
domestic violence, under employment and need for
costly public services. This is not the future we
want for the children of Alaska.
Misconceptions of dropouts - many students are
successful - passed HSGQE.
This is an opportunity for the legislature to take a
stand against the state's high drop out rate.
9:12:05 AM
CHAIR SEATON questioned how the earlier student witness who
testified to, at the age of 16, being out of school for a year-
and-a-half with no contact from a truancy officer.
MS. COWAN acknowledged that there's a problem in that area. She
mentioned that the Juneau School District is in need of more
[truancy officers]. The Juneau School District has one truancy
tracker in the district. Ms. Cowan explained that truancy is an
offense at the state level, but it's difficult to pursue at the
state level because the dockets are so full. Therefore, truancy
was changed such that a ticket is issued similar to the ticket
issued for [underage] smoking. The Kenai School District does
the same, she noted. School district employees can ticket
truancy offenses, she said. In response to Chair Seaton, Ms.
Cowan indicated she would provide information regarding the
Juneau School District's truancy efforts and their
effectiveness.
9:13:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON inquired as to the teacher student ratio
at Juneau's alternative high school.
MS. COWAN answered that it's the same as it is in the mainstream
high school, 26.25:1. However, the teachers use a variety of
methods, including teaming, to reduce class size.
9:14:59 AM
CODY BALDWIN, Student, Yaakoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High
School, related his belief that students need to be able to know
how to use the freedom they receive. Changing the compulsory
school attendance age from 16 to 18 years of age doesn't mean
these students will know what to do with that freedom. He
recalled that of the top five reasons dropouts identify as major
factors for leaving school, the top reason was classes weren't
interesting. Mr. Baldwin opined that the first three years of
high school aren't particularly interesting; the mandatory
classes are not compelling. He said he didn't believe raising
the compulsory school attendance age is going to help.
9:16:58 AM
JORDON CURDOW, Student, Yaakoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High
School, suggested that the alternative high school is well run,
with smaller class sizes that provide more individual support
for students.
9:18:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER inquired as to what would be used to
compel a 15-year-old dropout to return to school.
MR. BALDWIN opined that having to be in school to obtain a
driver's license could be a compelling reason to stay in school.
CHAIR SEATON encouraged the students to forward along any ideas
regarding how to keep youth in school.
9:19:50 AM
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON surmised that the students who testified
were relating the positive aspect of having additional teacher
attention. She asked if there is a difference in the teachers
of the regular high school versus those in the alternative high
school.
MR. CURDOW replied yes, adding that the regular high school
teachers are biased against those students they dislike.
MR. BALDWIN interjected that the teachers at the regular high
school don't seem to care about personal issues. He said he has
a connection with each of his alternative high school teachers.
He characterized the alternative high school as a big family.
MR. CURDOW opined that it helps to have teachers with whom the
students can relate.
9:23:29 AM
MARK CHOATE, President, Juneau Board of Education, Juneau School
District, related that last year, despite efforts otherwise, 57
percent of Native students [in the Juneau School District]
didn't graduate, commonly referred to as "pushout." The state
average [for Native students who don't graduate] is over 30-35
percent. Not graduating, he opined, takes away an individual's
options and future. More importantly, not graduating takes away
the options and future for society as a whole. He highlighted
that other countries have an understanding of the importance of
education; mastery of technology is the key to success for any
society, he stressed. However, in the U.S. that same importance
is not prioritized. This costs society across the board. Mr.
Choate then turned to the advantages of youth staying in school
and applauded the idea of obtaining a driver's license as a
reason to stay in school. He also suggested that employers
shouldn't employ those youth who aren't attending school;
Juneau's alternative high school will work around the schedules
of its students. In conclusion, Mr. Choate encouraged keeping
every child in school because it's the only way society will be
successful.
9:27:12 AM
CHAIR SEATON pointed out that local school boards and
superintendents control how education is delivered in the local
district. He then returned attention to the top five reasons
students dropout, which can be controlled at the local level
point of delivery of education. Chair Seaton expressed
difficulty in understanding how forcing students to stay in
school two more years will impact the outcome of the pushout.
9:28:33 AM
CHAIR SEATON announced that HB 33 would be held over.
9:28:52 AM
The committee took an at-ease form 9:28 a.m. to 9:34 a.m.
9:34:31 AM
^OVERVIEW(S): ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON STRUCTURING A NEEDS-
BASED SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR ALASKA
9:34:52 AM
CHAIR SEATON announced that the final order of business would be
a roundtable discussion on structuring a needs-based scholarship
program for Alaska. He explained that the goal with today's
meeting is to develop principles to incorporate into legislation
for a needs-based scholarship
9:36:48 AM
DIANE BARRANS, Executive Director, Alaska Commission on
Postsecondary Education, Department of Education and Early
Development (EED), opined that agreement rests on the fact that
the current needs-based aid in the state is minimal. A program
has been in place for the last three years from which needs-
based grants can be offered. With the additional funding the
legislature approved this year, the program can offer grants in
the maximum amount of $2,000 to approximately 1,200 students.
With annual public institutional attendance costs ranging from
$14,000-$18,000 a year, the aforementioned grant is the tip of
the iceberg. The only other, non-loan, statewide program is the
University of Alaska Scholars program, which offers a four-year
award for those students who finish in the top 10 percent of
their class. However, due to funding constraints of the
university, the dollar value a student can receive annually is
capped. Therefore, the University of Alaska Scholars program
doesn't pay for the cost of attendance for those who qualify for
the award.
9:38:46 AM
CHAIR SEATON inquired as to the amount of the cap of the
University of Alaska Scholars program.
9:38:53 AM
SAICHI OBA, Assistant Vice President for Students, University of
Alaska Fairbanks, the cap for the University of Alaska Scholars
award is $11,000 over the course of five years. In further
response to Chair Seaton, Mr. Oba specified that the award would
be equally divided over four years. However, the student has up
to five years to use all the funds. He confirmed that the
student receiving this award would receive approximately $2,700
per year.
9:40:44 AM
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON asked if the existing needs-based
scholarship of $2,000 is given per year.
MS. BARRANS answered that the $2,000 needs-based scholarship is
given per year with a student limit of $8,000 over a 4-year
period.
9:41:14 AM
MS. BARRANS, in response to Representative Gardner, explained
that when determining need for the state grant program, the
average cost of attendance is utilized. The cost of attendance
generally includes living expenses, book allowance, tuition and
fees, some transportation, and miscellaneous costs. Therefore,
the $18,000 is all included. In further response to
Representative Gardner, Ms. Barrans clarified that the $2,000
needs-based scholarship is grant funds.
9:42:02 AM
CHAIR SEATON surmised then that a UA scholar who also qualifies
for the needs-based scholarship would receive approximately
$4,700 per year.
MS. BARRANS confirmed that is correct. She then pointed out
that the $4,700 wouldn't even cover 50 percent of the cost of
attendance for one year.
9:42:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON inquired as to the percentage of students
who would qualify for both the needs-based scholarship and the
University of Alaska Scholars award.
MS. BARRANS responded that she didn't know. She then pointed
out that there is not a needs component with the University of
Alaska Scholars program, it's purely merit-based.
9:42:55 AM
HARRY NEED, Graduate Student, University of Alaska Anchorage,
offered to provide a student's perspective regarding financial
issues. He also informed the committee that UA students support
HB 94.
9:43:22 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER inquired as to whether there is any
information regarding the number of students who would like
help, but don't qualify for any grants or loans. He also
inquired as to what private loans are available for those
students who can't receive a Pell grant and don't qualify for
the University of Alaska Scholars program.
MS. BARRANS specified that for those who don't qualify for
either federal or state grant aid, there are other loan programs
in Alaska. For instance, the federal education loan, a
relatively low interest loan with annual loan maximums that vary
by year and school, is a loan to which students are entitled.
The federal education loan varies between $7,500 and beyond
$12,000 a year. Students are encouraged to seek federal loans
first. The state does have its own alternative loan program,
which allows undergraduates to borrow up to $8,500 per year and
graduate students to borrow up to $9,500 per year. The
combination of potential financing through the loan programs is
substantial. However, there is concern that the student will
leave school with substantial debt.
9:45:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER related that it has been reported to him
that for 80 percent of the students there are no options, except
a private loan with an interest rate of 6-18 percent.
9:45:38 AM
MR. NEED related that he has been told that if the UA system is
allowed to increase its credit limits in order to allow the
student loan corporation to offer loans in the future, up to 80
percent of the students receiving those student loans may not
qualify under the new criteria with the new credit limit. Of
course, without an increase in the credit limits the loans won't
be available and no one can receive the loans, he acknowledged.
9:46:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG expressed interest in hearing Mr. Need
walk through the student's perspective [on finances]. However,
he specifically expressed interest in the single parent who
decides to attend college later in life, the student who is
eligible for the University of Alaska Scholars program, and the
student who isn't.
9:48:03 AM
CHAIR SEATON listed the following financial options: the
financial needs grant, the University of Alaska Scholars
program, and federal and state loan programs. He asked if there
are other programs.
9:48:33 AM
MS. BARRANS pointed out that for the neediest students Pell
grants are available. Next year the Pell grant will increase to
a maximum amount of $5,350 per year. In order to qualify for a
Pell grant, the individual would need to be in the lowest
economic quartile. Individuals in that situation in Alaska
simply aren't going to college now. Those individuals who are
going to college in Alaska typically fall in a higher economic
quartile, and therefore it can't be assumed that a high
percentage of Alaskan students would receive the Pell grant. In
response to Representative Wilson, Ms. Barrans estimated that
those in the lowest economic quartile would have a total income
of less than $20,000 a year for a family of two to three. Even
with a larger family, the total income wouldn't be more than
$35,000 per year.
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON surmised then that those in that category
are not continuing to further their education.
9:50:12 AM
MS. BARRANS informed the committee that individuals in that
economic quartile graduate from high school at lower rates.
Those that do graduate from high school benefit from
postsecondary education at lower rates. Oftentimes, because
those in that economic quartile don't have a model within their
family attending college, it's simply not in their realm of
choices. In further response to Representative Wilson, Ms.
Barrans said that Alaska, in comparison to other states, has a
lower percentage of individuals who would qualify for the Pell
grants. She estimated that less than 10 percent of the students
in the UA system qualify for Pell grants.
9:51:40 AM
MR. OBA informed the committee that approximately 50 percent of
all students at UA applied for federal financial aid.
Therefore, he characterized Ms. Barrans' estimate of 10 percent
of UA students qualifying for Pell grants as reasonable.
9:52:15 AM
MS. BARRANS, in response to Chair Seaton, suggested that 10
percent of the total student body apply for Pell grants. She
mentioned that perhaps some students may not have qualified for
federal aid in the past, and therefore decide not to apply
again.
9:53:06 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG inquired as to how all of the
aforementioned impacts the demographics of the university.
MS. BARRANS suspected that it would have a negative effect. If
[the state] is unable to encourage Alaska's lower income echelon
to enter postsecondary education, the benefits UA can offer the
state will be diminished, particularly with Alaska's flat
population growth and an increasing proportion of Alaska's
population falling into the lower income echelon.
9:54:11 AM
MR. NEED offered his perspective as a student. He informed the
committee that he had okay grades, didn't qualify for any
scholarships, and took out student loans. He is currently in
graduate school and is paying on his loans. He and his wife
have a combined loan total of $120,000 that amounts to a payment
of $1,200 a month. This prohibits their ability to contribute
to the local economy, he said. Even with federal and state
loans, as well as scholarships, students still face seeking a
fair amount from private loans. Private loans are becoming
tiered with an average rate of 16 percent for repayment.
Therefore, in the future students with only an undergraduate
degree would look similar to Mr. Need, perhaps with $40,000
worth of debt at a 16 percent repayment rate. The
aforementioned would be crippling to the average graduate as
well as the state because the graduate wouldn't be able to fully
contribute to the economy. Without state granted aid, the
aforementioned could be the picture of an average graduate in a
few years.
9:57:09 AM
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON asked whether there is any sort of work
incentive program for welfare recipients, such that they can
attend school and their schooling would be paid. She recalled
such a program [in another state] that she used to attend
nursing school. She borrowed funds for the first year of school
and then the program paid for her tuition, books, and babysitter
so that she could attend school.
MS. BARRANS stated that she isn't knowledgeable of the programs
available through the Department of Labor & Workforce
Development. However, she did believe there are programs
available, although they may not be as generous as the one in
which Representative Wilson participated. She offered to
research that and provide information to the committee.
9:59:05 AM
CHAIR SEATON inquired as to the criteria that Ms. Barrans would
consider the most responsive to Alaska's students and that would
provide a reasonable manner in which to address this problem.
MS. BARRANS pointed out that the committee packet should include
rd
a letter from her dated February 23, in which she addresses the
best practices that have been deployed in other states. For
instance, one of the most successful programs is the Indiana
scholars program. However, Ms. Barrans suggested that perhaps
the starting point should be to determine the specific
objectives of the policymakers in program design. If the desire
is to improve high school graduation, certain elements may be
built into the program, such as early commitment. If the desire
is to provide immediate impact to those students who are
currently in postsecondary education, then a combination of
needs and merits would be most appropriate. Ms. Barrans posed
the question as to how an individual, with a GED, who is in the
workforce, could demonstrate competencies in order to qualify
for the [needs-based] scholarship program from the outset.
Although there may be a way in which to qualify for a grant once
an individual is in college, there is no clear trigger as to
when. Therefore, it would be critical to develop some manner in
which to assess that an individual can succeed at the college
level in order determine the return on investment.
10:02:17 AM
CHAIR SEATON polled the committee to ascertain whether members
preferred that the assessment not necessarily be tied to high
school graduation, but rather a merit-based assessment.
10:02:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER remarked that he would need to review the
criteria prior to agreeing with Chair Seaton's statement.
10:03:09 AM
CHAIR SEATON pointed out that the legislation sponsored by
Representative Guttenberg required a grade point average (GPA)
of 3.0 or better in high school. She asked Ms. Barrans for a
suggestion.
MS. BARRANS informed the committee that the American College
Testing Organization has an on-line assessment tool called
WorkKeys. Currently, Michigan is using WorkKeys as one means to
determine if an individual has the capacity to enter at the
college level successfully without remediation and perform
adequately. The Department of Education and Early Development
is encouraging use of the WorkKeys assessment, but isn't
mandating it. This competency testing is proving to be a more
attractive alternative than a GPA, which may be based on one set
of curricula that is very different student-to-student.
10:05:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON said that the department is trying to get
the WorkKeys installed in the [secondary] schools. She
expressed interest in the WorkKeys assessment tool.
10:05:27 AM
CHAIR SEATON stated that further input be provided to the
committee.
10:06:05 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 10:06 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| hb 33 material.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 33 |
| HB 33 material II.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 33 |
| HB 94 Materials.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 94 |
| HB 94 Fiscal note.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 94 |
| Taylor Plan Materials 1.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2009 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Taylor Plan Materials 2.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2009 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Needs based scholarship letter from ACPE.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2009 8:00:00 AM |
|
| UA Final Need Based Report.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2009 8:00:00 AM |
|
| HB 94 letter from University of AK president.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 94 |