Legislature(2009 - 2010)CAPITOL 106
03/20/2009 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB137 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 137 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 20, 2009
8:58 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Paul Seaton, Chair
Representative Cathy Engstrom Munoz, Vice Chair
Representative Wes Keller
Representative Peggy Wilson
Representative Robert L. "Bob" Buch
Representative Berta Gardner
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Bryce Edgmon
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 137
"An Act relating to an interstate compact on educational
opportunity for military children; amending Rules 4 and 24,
Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure; and providing for an effective
date."
- HEARD AND HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 137
SHORT TITLE: COMPACT: EDUCATION OF MILITARY CHILDREN
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) COGHILL
02/16/09 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/16/09 (H) EDC, JUD, FIN
03/20/09 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
WITNESS REGISTER
KAREN LIDSTER, Staff
Representative John Coghill
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 137, on behalf of
Representative Coghill, prime sponsor.
THOMAS HINTON, Senior State Liaison
Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
U. S. Department of Defense
Arlington, VA
POSITION STATEMENT: During hearing of HB 137, discussed the
proposed compact and related support for it.
RICK MASTERS, Special Council for Interstate Compacts
Council of State Governments
Lexington, KY
POSITION STATEMENT: During hearing of HB 137, discussed the
proposed compact and related CSG's support for HB 137.
MARK SAN SOUCI, Regional Liaison for Military Families
Northwest Region
Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
U.S. Department of Defense
Lakewood, Washington
POSITION STATEMENT: Discussed the proposed interstate compact,
and testified in support of HB 137.
CAROL COMEAU, Superintendant
Anchorage School District
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 137.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:58:02 AM
CHAIR PAUL SEATON called the House Education Standing Committee
meeting to order at 8:58 a.m. Representatives Seaton, Keller,
Munoz, Wilson, Gardner, and Buch were present at the call to
order.
HB 137-COMPACT: EDUCATION OF MILITARY CHILDREN
8:58:43 AM
CHAIR SEATON announced that the only order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 137, "An Act relating to an interstate compact on
educational opportunity for military children; amending Rules 4
and 24, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure; and providing for an
effective date."
8:59:30 AM
KAREN LIDSTER, Staff, Representative John Coghill, Alaska State
Legislature, speaking on behalf of the sponsor of HB 137,
Representative Coghill, paraphrased from the following written
sponsor statement, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
The purpose of House Bill 137 is to eliminate some of
the barriers that face children of military personnel
as they transition from one school system to another.
The average student will move from six to nine times
from kindergarten to 12th grade.
While the armed services has done much to ease the
transition for children of military personnel, there
is much that can be done at the state and local levels
to ensure that these children are afforded the same
opportunities for educational success as other
children.
Alaska enjoys a close relationship with our service
men and women and their families and recognizes the
sacrifice and stress they face with frequent moves and
deployment. There are 12,106 active duty children
between the ages of five and 18 plus the children of
active members of the guard and reserve that will
benefit from this compact.
Eleven states in 2008 adopted this compact and
presently 22 states have pending legislation to join
the compact. Passing this legislation will help
remove some of that stress by providing the children
timely enrollment as the children move from one school
district to another.
9:02:02 AM
CHAIR SEATON, upon Ms. Lidster's offer to review the sectional
analysis of HB 137, suggested reviewing the sectional analysis
at a later hearing, once public testimony has concluded.
9:02:16 AM
THOMAS HINTON, Senior State Liaison, Office of the Deputy Under
Secretary of Defense, U. S. Department of Defense, related that
a few years ago the U.S. Department of Defense realized there
are a number of issues impacting military families of the nation
that the federal government couldn't and shouldn't address.
Therefore, assistance for military families was sought from the
states, which have been very responsive. This legislation
addresses an issue that is at the top of the list of issues
impacting military families. Mr. Hinton opined that this is a
matter of readiness. In other words, if military personnel in
the field are worried about how their children are doing in
school, then they don't have their mind on the task at hand.
Furthermore, if the children of military personnel aren't well
cared for, personnel decide to leave the service. As was
mentioned, 11 states joined this compact, with 20 others
reviewing the possibility. The compact became active last year.
As of 2009 Mississippi joined the compact and Virginia is poised
to join as well. Mr. Hinton explained that prior to the compact
school transitions for military children were handled on a
state-by-state and even a district-by-district basis, which
proved ineffective. Therefore, the transition between states
was problematic, which led to the realization of the need to
address the issue in a comprehensive fashion. After discovering
the vehicle of interstate compact, in 2006 an advisory group was
formed that was followed by a drafting group. He mentioned the
following interest groups from around the country that were
involved, including: National Association of Elementary School
Principals, National Military Family Association, Military Child
Education Coalition, National School Boards Association,
National PTA, National Association of State Boards of Education,
National Education Association, Military Impacted Schools
Association, and Education Commission of the States. In
conclusion, Mr. Hinton expressed his appreciation for the
committee having HB 137 on its agenda and the partnership with
the Council of State Governments (CSG) on this issue.
9:10:34 AM
RICK MASTERS, Special Council for Interstate Compacts, Council
of State Governments, informed the committee that the Council of
State Governments is dedicated to the notion that initiatives,
such as this proposed compact, that are traditionally managed by
the states ought to continue to be managed by the states. When
there is a problem that transcends the border of one state and
requires joint action, it's preferable to do so collectively
rather than be dictated by the federal government. The U.S.
Department of Defense agrees, he noted. Mr. Masters mentioned
that he has worked on several interstate compacts, several of
which have been considered or adopted by the Alaska State
Legislature. Compacts, he explained, allow the states to
collectively make decisions and allow for certain uniformities
unless the federal government preempts the field. In this case,
when military children are moving about the country, these
children encounter many situations in which they have to be
transferred from one public school district to another.
Although Alaska and other states are doing a very credible job
within the state, the problem is when the transfer is out of
state. The question is whether the military child will receive
the same accommodations that Alaska and other states provide.
Therefore, this compact seeks to solve the aforementioned.
Research has identified the following four areas in which
problems occur for military children. First, some states have
enrollment requirements, such as requiring an original record,
that delay a student beginning class. The compact would call
for the acceptance of a copy/facsimile of a record that appears
to be genuine and require the certified credentials within 10
days of the student's enrollment. Second, eligibility, a
student may enter a school too late to participate in school
activities/teams. The compact merely requests that the state
makes available to a student that is otherwise qualified, the
opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities.
Third, placement, a student is placed at the same level as
he/she was placed in their prior school. This compact doesn't
require Alaska or any other state to accept that placement
without question. The compact merely says that a placement
issue shouldn't prevent a student from enrolling. Once a
student is enrolled, the student can be tested to ensure proper
placement. Fourth, on-time graduation is one of the most
important goals of military children. Military children may
face a delayed graduation because they don't meet the local
history requirement studies or other course requirements, even
if such requirements were met in the sending state. The compact
seeks to accommodate military students who move in their junior
or senior year in order to ensure they graduate on time.
Therefore, the compact requests that the receiving state
substitute courses and/or recognize some alternative testing in
lieu of an exit exam, when possible. If the aforementioned
isn't possible, the receiving state is asked to work with the
sending state to ensure that the student receives a diploma from
the sending state.
9:16:18 AM
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON suggested that [the tenets of this
proposed compact] should be carried through for all students,
not just military students. She pointed out that any child who
has to move a lot would face the same challenges as military
children. She encouraged CSG to review helping other student's
transition between states.
MR. MASTERS said that it's on CSG's radar screen.
9:17:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE BUCH asked if there will be a work session on
this issue at the upcoming CSG meeting.
MR. MASTERS related his belief that this issue will be on the
agenda for upcoming CSG meetings.
REPRESENTATIVE BUCH expressed his interest in serving on the
CSG, and he lobbied Mr. Masters for a recommendation.
MR. MASTERS agreed to advocate for Representative Buch's
participation with CSG.
9:19:33 AM
MARK SAN SOUCI, Regional Liaison for Military Families,
Northwest Region, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of
Defense, U.S. Department of Defense, said that he is considered
Alaska's local contact. In response to Representative Wilson's
comments, Mr. San Souci related that study has been done
regarding whether this interstate compact should be considered
for all children. The strategic decision was to focus on
military children now because military children are different in
that they are moving because their parents are doing so to serve
the nation. However, he indicated that this interstate compact
could be leveraged to pursue its use in the future for other
children. Mr. San Souci then related some anecdotal stories of
situations in which military children were adversely impacted by
moving to new schools. For example, a 15-year-old girl who
reached All American cheerleader status in Oklahoma missed the
tryouts in the state to which her family was transferred and was
unable to cheer. The aforementioned is an example of what this
compact is trying to address. He then related a situation in
which a boy passed the high school qualifying exam in Texas, but
was told upon moving to the State of Washington that he had to
take the high school qualifying exam in Washington and take all
the courses required to pass that exam. However, due to the
extraordinary persistence of the parents, the receiving school
district waived the requirement to pass its high school
qualifying exam. He then related a situation in which the
interpretation of grades between states impacted a young man's
ability to obtain a scholarship for. He noted that the
committee packet should also include examples in which HB 137
would've been helpful.
9:28:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER related her understanding that HB 137 is
identical to the proposals in other states, save the necessary
drafting style of the Alaska Statutes.
MR. MASTERS replied yes it's materially the same as the compact
adopted by other states. Mr. Masters related CSG's support of
HB 137.
9:30:03 AM
MR. HINTON related his and Mr. San Souci's support of HB 137.
9:30:23 AM
CHAIR SEATON opined that he is supportive of military families.
He then noted that parents often make decisions based on what is
good for their children. Chair Seaton stated his intent to hold
HB 137 to hear departmental testimony at a future meeting.
9:31:17 AM
CAROL COMEAU, Superintendant, Anchorage School District,
related her personal support for HB 137. She noted that
the Anchorage School Board has drafted a resolution in
support of this proposed compact, which she hopes will be
approved. She noted that she has recommended support for
HB 137. Upon review of the compact, she said she believes
that the proposed compact strengthens the [Anchorage School
District's] commitment to continue to implement most of the
practices that it outlines. Still, the compact sends a
very strong message to the schools in the state that
military families deserve consideration and support so that
the children can make successful transitions. She agreed
with earlier testimony that parents shouldn't have to
figure out how to navigate the system and advocate for
their children regarding issues that [recur with military
children transitioning into new schools].
9:34:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER inquired as to why these provisions
should not apply to all children.
MS. COMEAU indicated her agreement with earlier comments
regarding focusing on military children at this time. However,
she noted that [the Anchorage School District] has implemented
similar procedures for other students in transition and
recommended further discussion with the Anchorage School
District and Anchorage School Board regarding other students.
She noted that the Anchorage School District does offer many
transition programs.
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER pointed out that it doesn't matter to the
child who is moving from school-to-school whether it's because
of military assignments or not. Either way a child
transitioning from school-to-school "is in the same boat."
MS. COMEAU said that she didn't disagree, but recalled from the
last military deployment that there is a higher level of stress
on military families.
9:35:46 AM
CHAIR SEATON closed public testimony. He then reviewed the
contents of the HB 137 packet.
9:36:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE BUCH qualified his interest in serving on CSG and
related that the information he learns affords him the ability
to be a better advocate for students.
9:37:48 AM
CHAIR SEATON stated that HB 137 would be held.
9:40:01 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 9:40 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 137 support.pdf |
HEDC 3/20/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 137 |
| HB0137A.pdf |
HEDC 3/20/2009 8:00:00 AM HEDC 3/23/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 137 |
| HB137-EED-ESS-3-17-09.pdf |
HEDC 3/20/2009 8:00:00 AM HEDC 3/23/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 137 |
| img-3191420-0001.pdf |
HEDC 3/20/2009 8:00:00 AM HEDC 3/23/2009 8:00:00 AM |
|
| img-3191549-0001.pdf |
HEDC 3/20/2009 8:00:00 AM HEDC 3/23/2009 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Sponsor statement HB 137.doc |
HEDC 3/20/2009 8:00:00 AM HEDC 3/23/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 137 |
| Sectional HB 137.doc |
HEDC 3/20/2009 8:00:00 AM HEDC 3/23/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 137 |