Legislature(2021 - 2022)DAVIS 106
03/26/2021 08:15 AM House EDUCATION
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB43 | |
| Presentation(s): Alaska State Board of Education & Early Development Report | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 43 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 26, 2021
8:15 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Harriet Drummond, Co-Chair
Representative Andi Story, Co-Chair
Representative Tiffany Zulkosky
Representative Grier Hopkins
Representative Mike Prax
Representative Mike Cronk
Representative Ronald Gillham
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 43
"An Act extending the termination date of the special education
service agency; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED HB 43 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PRESENTATION(S): ALASKA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION & EARLY
DEVELOPMENT REPORT
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 43
SHORT TITLE: EXTEND SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICE AGENCY
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) STORY
02/18/21 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/21
02/18/21 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/18/21 (H) HSS, FIN
02/19/21 (H) EDC REPLACES HSS REFERRAL
02/19/21 (H) BILL REPRINTED
03/17/21 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
03/17/21 (H) Heard & Held
03/17/21 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/26/21 (H) EDC AT 8:15 AM DAVIS 106
WITNESS REGISTER
HEIDI TESHNER, Director
Finance and Support Services
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a legislative fiscal note for HB
43.
JESSIE TOWARAK, Director
Special Education
Bering Strait School District
Unalakleet, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on HB 43.
PATRICK PILLAI, Executive Director
Special Education Service Agency
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
43.
JAMES FIELDS, Chair
State Board of Education and Early Development
Department of Education and Early Development
Glennallen, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented and answered questions.
MICHAEL JOHNSON, Commissioner
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented and answered questions.
TAMARA VAN WYHE, Division Director
Innovation and Education Excellence
Department of Education and Early Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the presentation.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:15:42 AM
CO-CHAIR HARRIET DRUMMOND called the House Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:15 a.m. Representatives Cronk,
Gillham, Prax, Zulkosky, Hopkins, Story, and Drummond were
present at the call to order.
HB 43-EXTEND SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICE AGENCY
8:16:28 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the first order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 43, "An Act extending the termination
date of the special education service agency; and providing for
an effective date."
8:17:13 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY, prime sponsor, stated that HB 43 would extend
the termination date of the Special Education Service Agency
(SESA), which provides high-quality, efficient services for
students with severe disabilities in Alaska. She explained that
legislative auditor Kris Curtis recommended an extension of
eight years, to June 30, 2029, as the agency has met the mission
set out in statute. She reviewed the March 17, 2021, hearing
where the bill was considered for the first time, emphasizing
that the testimony of SESA director Patrick Pillai and the
findings of legislative auditor Kris Curtis supported the bill.
She recommended that the bill move out of committee.
8:19:44 AM
HEIDI TESHNER, Director, Finance and Support Services,
Department of Education and Early Development, presented a
legislative fiscal note for HB 43, Office of Management & Budget
(OMB) component number 2735, which included a governor's fiscal
year 2022 (FY 22) projected grant of $2,404,400 for SESA. The
grant was calculated in accordance with Alaska Statute (AS)
14.30.650. The fiscal note estimated a cost of $2,368,900 for
FY 23, based on the FY 21 final average daily membership of
127,016.30 multiplied by $18.65 as specified in AS 14.30.650.
The estimated amount for FY 23 was carried forward through June
30, 2029, with the department planning to adjust it annually
based on the prior year's average daily membership.
8:22:01 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND opened public testimony on HB 43.
8:22:38 AM
JESSIE TOWARAK, Director, Special Education, Bering Strait
School District, stated that students, teachers, families, and
districts have been positively impacted by SESA. She said SESA
staff have provided expertise, training, teleconference support,
librarian services, site visits, and assistance in programming
for students with disabilities. She stated that as Special
Education Director, she is responsible for recruiting and
training special education teachers for 15 villages in her area.
Teachers often arrive with little or no training or experience
in programming education for students with low-incidence
disabilities using resources available in rural areas, she
explained. She continued, stating that SESA has been a bridge
for students, their teachers, and their programs while also
assisting in retaining special education teachers. She recalled
the experience of one of her teachers, who would not have known
what to do without the aid of SESA. She emphasized that the
services are a vital, necessary resource for students, teachers,
and families. She recalled her experience as a teacher when
SESA provided programming, support, and training for her and her
colleagues. In order to meet the unique needs of her students,
she stated that she fully supports the reauthorization of SESA.
8:24:42 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND closed public testimony on HB 43.
8:24:55 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY added that she has been impressed by, and is
grateful for, the support the program brings to students and
staff in special education across Alaska. She thanked Patrick
Pillai for his work in guiding the agency through several
decades, and expressed her gratitude for the special education
community, the support of students, and the SESA program.
8:26:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked for clarification on if the programs
are driven by federal regulations.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND stated that the programs are driven by the
Americans With Disabilities Act, and school districts are
required to provide services for students with special needs.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked for verification that the top priority
in AIDA is providing those services.
8:26:54 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY stated that her understanding is that SESA
provides one way to meet the federal requirements to serve
students with low-incidence disabilities. The program ensures
efficient delivery of services and that teachers understand the
unique needs of the 1 percent of students affected by these
disabilities nationwide.
8:27:54 AM
PATRICK PILLAI, Executive Director, Special Education Service
Agency, responded that Representative Prax was correct, and the
federal mandate to provide special education services extends
through 21 years of age. This responsibility was entrenched by
AS 14.30.630, which required SESA to provide special education
services and outreach services for individuals with low-
incidence disabilities, as well as support and training for
local school districts, he explained.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked, since the services are available
through the age of 21, when they begin to be available.
8:28:55 AM
MR. PILLAI replied that services are available from ages 3 to
21.
8:29:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked to clarify that the funding for SESA
is for staff travelling throughout the state and providing
support to districts, rather than district hires.
8:29:49 AM
MR. PILLAI confirmed that the funding to the agency allows for
11-15 specialists to travel to rural school districts and
provide training, programming, and support for educators of
children with specific disabilities. In districts with few
staff, the needs of children with these specific disabilities
would go unmet without this specialized support, he explained.
8:31:04 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK asked if the funding for the program has
stayed at a flat rate for, for example, the last three years.
MR. PILLAI said funding was established eight years ago during
the last reauthorization period. He referenced SB 19, which
proposes a 24 percent increase in funding.
8:31:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK expressed doubt in the numbers for FY 23 -
FY 26 and asked if those numbers will continue to provide enough
for the necessary services of the program.
8:32:20 AM
MR. PILLAI stated that the program's projection for FY 22 shows
a $578,000 deficit, and the 24 percent increase in funding
proposed by SB 19 will adjust for that deficit through FY 29.
8:33:03 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY verified that the Senate Education Standing
Committee recommended the increase in funding found in SB 19,
and that HB 43 will be referred to the House Finance Committee
for recommendation.
8:33:53 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY moved to report HB 43 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, HB 43 was reported out of the House
Education Standing Committee.
8:34:12 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:34 a.m. to 8:38 a.m.
^PRESENTATION(S): Alaska State Board of Education & Early
Development Report
PRESENTATION(S): Alaska State Board of Education & Early
Development Report
8:45:34 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the next order of business
would be a presentation of the Alaska State Board of Education &
Early Development Report.
8:45:57 AM
JAMES FIELDS, Chair, State Board of Education & Early
Development, provided a PowerPoint presentation, titled "Report
to the Legislature: Alaska State Board of Education & Early
Development," dated 3/26/21, [hard copy provided in the
committee packet]. He directed attention to slide 2, which
provided brief biographies of board members.
8:48:16 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY noted that the Education and Early Development
budget reflects an emphasis on virtual meetings and asked how
the virtual model has worked for them.
8:48:58 AM
MR. FIELDS said it presents a challenge, but the board has
become used to it. He stated that the will of the board, in
order to move work forward quicker, would be to have more than
one face-to-face meeting each year. He noted that despite this,
the board has placed priority on COVID-19 mitigation measures
and continues to move forward admirably.
8:49:45 AM
MICHAEL JOHNSON, Commissioner, Department of Education and Early
Development, added that partnerships with other associations in
hosting online meetings has been very helpful.
8:50:17 AM
MR. FIELDS continued to slide 3, highlighting the board's
mission, vision, and purpose, which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
Our Mission, Vision, and Purpose
OUR MISSION
An excellent education for every student every day.
OUR VISION
All students will succeed in their education and work,
shape worthwhile and satisfying lives for themselves,
exemplify the best values of society, and be effective
in improving the character and quality of the world
about them.
-Alaska Statute 14.03.015
OUR PURPOSE
DEED exists to provide information, resources, and
leadership to support an excellent education for every
student every day.
8:51:04 AM
MR. FIELDS continued to slide 4, "Our Strategic Priorities:
Alaska's Education Challenge," which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
Five Shared Priorities:
1. Support all students to read at grade level by
the end of third grade
2. Increase career, technical, and culturally
relevant education to meet student and workforce needs
3. Close the achievement gap by ensuring equitable
educational rigor and resources
4. Prepare, attract, and retain effective education
professionals
5. Improve the safety and well-being of students
through school partnerships with families,
communities, and tribes
8:51:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked if there are specific goals and
performance measures associated with each of these priorities.
8:52:18 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said that the department website holds a
document titled "Meeting Alaska's Education Challenge" which
holds some metrics. He stated that the department aims to
include all Alaskans in this framework, and quality legislation
will provide an opportunity to create specific metrics
statewide. Metrics exist in the federal Every Student Succeeds
Act and the website, but he emphasized that this is a framework
which is still in progress, and he hopes to fill it out with
more specific goals and metrics. He mentioned the Teacher
Retention Work Group, item 4 on slide 4, which is close to
finalizing a report containing data collected over the previous
year that will allow for the development of specific metrics.
Various degrees of metrics exist in the framework, but it
becomes more important to move toward greater specificity in
order to meet the priorities set out by the state board, he
stated.
8:54:09 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX commented that many are angry with the
current education system, making it difficult to identify
specific aspects and address the differences in expectations.
He spoke on the need for feedback in order to address specific
issues.
8:55:21 AM
MR. FIELDS added that the department set up board committees to
address the priorities outlined. He stated that the committee
work was put on hold, due to the circumstances of the last year,
and he hopes to move forward in the coming year. He said that
the committee work includes determining which priorities will
require legislative action to proceed, and which channels to
navigate in a complex system in order to do so. He reiterated
that the last year presented huge challenges in moving the
priorities forward.
8:56:42 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND brought the committee's attention to Alaska's
Education Challenge, a collection of over 100 people in 5
committees in spring of 2017, and provided a link to the report
on the department's website.
8:57:16 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY said she is pleased there is an annual meeting in
statute for all policy makers to come together, ask questions,
and support one another. She emphasized her appreciation for
the discussions held statewide, including today's committee
meeting, with the goal of attaining the best outcomes for
students.
8:59:08 AM
MR. FIELDS continued to slide 5, "Board Action Highlights,"
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Adopted emergency regulation changes to ensure
funding to eligible school districts under Senate Bill
74 to improve Internet services under the School
Broadband Assistance Grant program.
Adopted regulation changes to allow military
training with the Alaska Army National Guard to count
for high school credit and be available to all
eligible high school students in Alaska.
Adopted amendments to update the state's school
library standards.
Repealed and replaced regulations to allow the
issuance of emergency administrative certificates and
some emergency teacher certificates.
8:59:53 AM
MR. FIELDS continued to slide 6, "DEED Significant Steps-School
Health & Safety," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Alaska Project AWARE Grant
DEED was awarded a five-year, $9.1 million
Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in
Education) grant from the federal Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The grant will assist the state in improving
mental health by growing mental health literacy,
reducing mental health stigma, strengthening early
identification and intervention for student mental
health conditions, as well as providing more robust
services for students who are experiencing severe
mental health issues.
Transforming Schools Toolkit
DEED, in collaboration with the Association of
Alaska School Boards (AASB), launched a new trauma-
engaged resourcea toolkit to complement the
Transforming Schools Trauma Framework completed last
year. The toolkit is a supplemental and highly
practical online resource to assist Alaska schools
becoming fully trauma engaged and practicing. The
toolkit is intended for districts to use with staff.
Alaska Safe Children's Act Statewide Curriculum
The Health and Safety Unit completed construction
of a state authored student training to support
districts with the implementation of the Alaska Safe
Children's Act in grades 7-12. The curriculum is
designed to help prevent childhood sexual abuse and
teen dating abuse.
9:01:25 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY asked how grant stakeholders are informed of the
department's work.
9:02:06 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON stated that every board meeting is made
public, and the new emphasis on virtual meetings has allowed
more people throughout the state to participate. The department
also provides reports to the board members and hosts webinars,
which provide feedback to stakeholders, he stated. He explained
that the Alaska Council of School Administrators posts routine
meetings with the department, which provide feedback as well.
He elaborated that he meets weekly with various stakeholders,
including the National School Superintendents Association and
the National Education Association. He stated that the
department also hosts webinars and publishes various newsletters
in order to keep districts informed. He then emphasized the
importance of communication all the way down to constituents,
who are also stakeholders.
9:04:19 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND commented that the budget for travel has been
greatly reduced due to virtual meetings. She also stated that
virtual meetings have also had the fortunate effect of allowing
many more people to participate, and she hopes that the added
virtual capability will continue to allow greater public
participation.
9:05:27 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON agreed with Co-Chair Drummond's statement,
and expressed his excitement with the new capability for rural
communities to participate.
9:06:00 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY stated her support for the Health and Safety Unit
in implementing the Alaska Safe Children's Act and combatting
the alarming rates of abuse, neglect, and suicide.
9:07:08 AM
MR. FIELDS continued to slide 7, "DEED Significant Steps-
Increased Focus on Third Grade Reading Proficiency," which read
as follows [original punctuation provided]:
DEED received a $20.7 million five-year
Comprehensive Literacy State Develop (CLSD) grant from
the U.S. Department of Education to expand the state's
efforts to improve literacy skills for all students.
-Sixteen district projects were selected for funding,
involving students from birth through grade 12 in 45
different schools.
-Subgrant awards were finalized and announced on
January 17, 2020.
Project highlights include professional
development in effective reading instruction for
teachers, hiring reading specialists, incorporating
new and innovative reading instruction, and more.
-Five out of the 16 district projects focus on the K-5
grade span, specifically targeting students reading at
grade level by third grade.
9:08:08 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND mentioned the 16 district projects from the
CLSD grant that involved improving the literacy rates of
students from birth and asked how those projects work. She also
expressed her excitement for such a program.
9:08:27 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON reiterated that the CLSD grant encompasses
students from birth until high school. He stressed the
importance of the third-grade benchmark. He explained that
there are several districts that have pre-kindergarten ("pre-k")
programs using the grant funds.
9:09:32 AM
TAMARA VAN WYHE, Division Director, Innovation and Education
Excellence, Department of Education and Early Development,
stated that of the 16 districts that received CLSD grants,
several of them have elements that cover birth to five years of
age. She elaborated on the activities, including providing
books to parents, story time, workshops for parents and
caregivers of preschool children, and stressing the importance
of reading to toddlers. She offered to provide specifics on the
exciting and rich components of these district projects to the
committee at a later time.
9:11:05 AM
MR. FIELDS continued to slide 8, which provided contact
information for the Department of Education and Early
Development board members and legislative liaison.
9:11:34 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK thanked Mr. Fields for his service.
9:12:30 AM
MR. FIELDS acknowledged Representative Cronk.
9:13:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX pointed out that Alaska, on the National
Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), performed at the
bottom of the national scale in proficiency for fourth- and
eighth-grade reading and math. He asked how the State Board of
Education is focusing on these performance metrics.
9:14:48 AM
MR. FIELDS replied that many elements go into bringing the
proficiency up, and that the board and committees remain focused
on these aspects. However, he explained that the board and
committee work has been held up in the past year and the
department has limited bandwidth, which must be used for
districts and department employees to maintain their operations
above all else.
9:16:20 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON highlighted three aspects pertaining to
educational achievement. He began with character, emphasizing
that the state, department employees, and legislature must
conduct themselves with the same behavior and approach to
achievement expected of the students. Second, he stressed the
importance of not being content with these results, given that
Alaska students show equal or greater intelligence than other
students across the country, in his opinion. He reiterated his
confidence in Alaska students and the importance of not settling
for poor results. He related that the third aspect pertains to
focus, explaining so many ideas to improve education exist and
the board and committee members are instrumental in determining
which ones will work the best in order to streamline progress.
9:19:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked which slide listed the priorities
outlined in the presentation, for the purpose of making a poster
for the committee.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND answered that the priorities were on slide 4.
She then commented on the removal of Rebecca Himschoot from the
Alaska State Board of Education by Governor Dunleavy in 2019.
Ms. Himschoot was offered a seat on the NAEP board, which she
had to decline as a result of no longer holding a seat on a
state education board, she explained. She stated that having
Ms. Himschoot on the NAEP board would have provided Alaska
insight into the NAEP process and how to further help Alaska
children. She then touched on the limitations of NAEP,
specifically that parents do not receive results of these
assessments and that the results do not come in for months
afterward. She then stressed the importance of teachers, who
constantly assess their students and know what needs to be done
for them, over that of a national assessment.
9:22:19 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK commented on the importance of testing at
the local level to provide instant, relevant data on student
progress. He recalled his experience as a teacher and the
negative side of spending time studying for a national
assessment.
9:23:51 AM
MR. FIELDS agreed with Representative Cronk, stating that the
board's goal is to provide one comprehensive, timely, local
assessment throughout the year.
9:24:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX commented on the inefficiency of spending a
week on a national assessment that, although it remains a focus
for many, gives results that are not always useful. He stated
the importance of communicating a newer, effective program of
assessment in order to gain the trust of those that have lost
faith in the education system.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND recalled her experience on the Anchorage
School District Board, serving a district that was approximately
eightieth out of a group of the 100 largest districts in the
nation. She brought up the statistic that, on average, 15
percent of the population of those districts were school-aged
children while Anchorage, on the other hand, was closer to 20
percent. The number shows a greater interest in education in
Alaska's overall population, due to the number of people
involved in student lives, she explained.
9:27:03 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK reiterated how unique Alaska is regarding
the challenges faced by educators and thanked those present for
their work in addressing those challenges.
9:27:57 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY asked for an update on priority 2, to increase
career, technical, and culturally relevant education to meet
student and workforce needs.
9:28:34 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON stated that last year was overwhelmed by
the pandemic response. The board's focus was on kindergarten
through third grade reading policy, but proposed legislation did
not pass in last year's legislative session. Once the pandemic
hit, focus immediately shifted to the response. Department of
Education and Early Development staff had been partnering with
the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to provide
guidance to school districts and extend career and technical
education (CTE) opportunities to students. He detailed the work
done through Anchorage's Canvas learning management system and
the Carl Perkins grant programs in other districts to continue
delivering CTE. He expressed his optimism for the development
of these programs in the coming year.
9:30:43 AM
CO-CHAIR STORY commended the board on its focus on the pandemic
response and its reassurance and support for school districts,
students, and families.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND brought up the need for schools to return to
in-person teaching, especially for CTE, which requires so much
hands-on teaching and tools. She reminisced on seeing the
entire school board in person and looked forward to having the
opportunity again in the future.
9:32:23 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON praised the work of the NACTEC program in
Nome in providing CTE opportunities to their students virtually.
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND commended Doug Walrath, NACTEC director, and
stated that she wishes to invite him to make a presentation to
the committee.
9:33:39 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND thanked the presenters.
9:34:00 AM
MR. FIELDS made one final comment regarding slide 3, stating
that the department has, in fact, provided information,
resources, and leadership to every district in the state. He
applauded the efforts of Commissioner Johnson and all the
department staff.
9:35:03 AM
CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND offered closing comments and the committee
agenda for the next week.
9:36:02 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 9:36 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 43 SESA Sectional Analysis Version A.pdf |
HEDC 3/26/2021 8:15:00 AM |
HB 43 |
| HB0043-EED-SS-3-11-21 Fiscal Note.pdf |
HEDC 3/26/2021 8:15:00 AM |
HB 43 |
| HB 43 Letters of Support Received 3.15.21.pdf |
HEDC 3/26/2021 8:15:00 AM |
HB 43 |
| 20120-SESA-FINAL-AUDIT LB&A.pdf |
HEDC 3/26/2021 8:15:00 AM |
|
| HB 43 Letter of Support 3.17.21.msg |
HEDC 3/26/2021 8:15:00 AM |
HB 43 |
| 2020 SBOE Annual Report to the Legislature.pdf |
HEDC 3/26/2021 8:15:00 AM |
SBOE Annual Rpt |
| 3.26.21 Presentation SBOE Report to the Legislature.pdf |
HEDC 3/26/2021 8:15:00 AM |
|
| HB 43 SESA Sponsor Statement Ver. A 3.24.21.pdf |
HEDC 3/26/2021 8:15:00 AM |
HB 43 |