03/13/2024 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB55 | |
| HB274 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 55 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 274 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 13, 2024
8:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Jamie Allard, Co-Chair
Representative Justin Ruffridge, Co-Chair
Representative Mike Prax
Representative CJ McCormick
Representative Tom McKay
Representative Rebecca Himschoot
Representative Andi Story
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 55
"An Act relating to allocations of funding for the Alaska
Workforce Investment Board; and providing for an effective
date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 274
"An Act relating to screening reading deficiencies and providing
reading intervention services to public school students enrolled
in grades kindergarten through three."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 55
SHORT TITLE: EXTEND WORKFORCE INVEST BOARD ALLOCATIONS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) CARRICK
02/01/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/01/23 (H) EDC, L&C, FIN
01/31/24 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
01/31/24 (H) Heard & Held
01/31/24 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
02/12/24 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
02/12/24 (H) Heard & Held
02/12/24 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
02/14/24 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
02/14/24 (H) Scheduled but Not Heard
03/13/24 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
BILL: HB 274
SHORT TITLE: SCREENING/READING INTERVENTION K-3
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
01/18/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/18/24 (H) EDC, FIN
03/13/24 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
WITNESS REGISTER
CATHY MUNOZ, Acting Commissioner
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained committee substitute (CS) for HB
55, Version R.
PALOMA HARBOUR, Director
Division of Employment and Training Services
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony during the hearing
on HB 55.
CATHY LECOMPTE, Director
Division of Alaska Vocational Technical Center
Department of Labor & Workforce Development
Seward, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave a PowerPoint, titled "Alaska
Vocational Technical Center Update," during the hearing on HB
55.
DIRK CRAFT, Executive Director
Alaska Workforce Investment Board
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony during the hearing
on HB 55.
THOMAS LANCE, President
Alaska Research Consortium
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB 55.
DON ETHERIDGE, Lobbyist
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial
Organizations
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony during the hearing
on HB 55.
DEENA BISHOP, Commissioner
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HB 274 on behalf of the bill
sponsor, House Rules by request of the governor.
LAUREL SHOOP, Legislative Liaison
Department of Education and Early Development
Office of the Commissioner
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave the sectional analysis for HB 274 on
behalf of the bill sponsor, House Rules by request of the
governor.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:00:14 AM
CO-CHAIR JAMIE ALLARD called the House Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Representatives Prax,
McKay, Himschoot, Story, Allard, and Ruffridge were present at
the call to order. Representative McCormick arrived as the
meeting was in progress.
HB 55-EXTEND WORKFORCE INVEST BOARD ALLOCATIONS
8:01:09 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 55, "An Act relating to allocations of funding
for the Alaska Workforce Investment Board; and providing for an
effective date."
8:01:36 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 55, Version 33-LS0360\R, A. Radford,
2/13/24, as the working document.
8:01:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX objected.
8:01:49 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD invited Acting Commissioner Munoz to explain
Version R. She clarified that Acting Commissioner Munoz would
present neutrally.
8:02:48 AM
CATHY MUNOZ, Acting Commissioner, Department of Labor and
Workforce Development (DLWD), explained the committee substitute
(CS) for HB 55, Version R. She summarized the Alaska Technical
Vocational Education Program (TVEP), and briefly explained TVEP
funding. She stated that the Version R would change the
allocation from .16 to .25 and would generate approximately $10
million additional funding in the coming year. In Section 2,
she said, the program is extended to 2026 from 2024 and a new
destination is added to the new recipient, among other small
changes.
8:05:38 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX questioned whether the allocation was being
increased by approximately 40 percent.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MUNOZ confirmed and reiterated that the
funding would be increased by roughly $10 million. In response
to a follow-up question, she relayed that a legislative audit
showed that approximately 8,800 people would benefit from the
program.
8:06:57 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE, in reference to the "flow of dollars,"
questioned if it is happening at the level that it should. He
asked whether the Alaska Workforce Investment Board (AWIB) is
capable of handling increased grant requests.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MUNOZ replied that AWIB oversees the State
Training and Employment Program (STEP), which is funded through
the same source of revenue, and she added that it is capable of
handling a competitive grant program through TVEP.
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE asked whether the increase in the amount of
2.25 would be solvent.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MUNOZ replied that currently, the balance of
the unemployment insurance (UI) trust fund is $650 million.
8:09:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked Acting Commissioner Munoz to explain
how the new program would work and whether grants would be
authorized for other post-secondary institutions.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MUNOZ replied the job centers provide
individual training support through federal and state funding
and that funds would go out to training providers throughout the
state, not just the main recipients on the list.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY sought more explanation regarding
distribution to individual grants and institutions.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MUNOZ replied it would go to the individual
and their choice of institution; for example, if they chose to
go to a training in Palmer, an individual grant would be paid to
that institution.
8:11:56 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked whether Version R was written in
line with the recommendations in the audit.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MUNOZ recommended the question be directed
to the auditor.
8:13:30 AM
PALOMA HARBOUR, Director, Division of Employment and Training
Services, Department of Labor and Workforce Development,
answered questions during the hearing on HB 55 and noted that
she would speak to the way the program works. She said grants
are given to individuals who come through the job center looking
for employment and training. She said the grants can support
their training costs, housing, and transportation.
8:14:19 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether there is an advisory board
that evaluates the program.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MUNOZ replied that AWIB regularly updates
the high demand jobs and where training support needs to be
targeted.
8:15:24 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE, in reference to the audit, asked Acting
Commissioner Munoz if she was confident that the named
recipients were accomplishing their goal of providing the
service at a level high enough to maintain their percentages.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MUNOZ said the University of Alaska (UA)
does a fantastic job at directing TVEP money towards vocational
training, but she could not speak to some of the smaller schools
and would defer to the director on that question. She
emphasized the effectiveness of the program and noted that many
Alaskans are receiving training through these funds.
8:16:50 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD referenced funds not being distributed equally
amongst the state, and that Version R would be able to
"designate out" to the labor centers.
8:17:36 AM
CATHY LECOMPTE, Director, Division of Alaska Vocational
Technical Center (AVTEC), gave a PowerPoint, titled "Alaska
Vocational Technical Center Update" [hard copy included in the
committee packet] during the hearing on HB 55, and began by
providing an update on the division as shown on slides 2 and 3,
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
• Residential training center located in Seward,
Alaska
• Nationally accredited
• Student Success
• 90% Completion
• 90% Employment
• Little to no student loan debt
8:21:07 AM
MS. LECOMPTE noted slide 4, titled "AVTEC Serves a Statewide
Mission," showing a pie chart with a breakdown of student
participation from all economic regions and slide 5, titled "The
AVTEC Experience," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
• Workplace simulation
• Crosscutting technical and employability skills
• Life Skills and employment assistance
• Clock hours, not credit hours
MS. LECOMPTE added that the students have a broad choice of
industries to choose from once they have completed their
training.
8:23:22 AM
MS. LECOMPTE continued on slides 6 through 8, titled "AVTEC
Training Programs," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
• Alaska Maritime Training Center
• United States Coast Guard
• In-person and online
• Introduction to Nautical Skills for high
schools
• Alaska Culinary Academy
• Basic Culinary skills training
• Applied Technologies
• Diesel Heavy Equipment Technology
• Industrial Welding
• Business and Office Technology
• Accounting Technician
• Administrative Office Assistant
• Medical Office Assistant
• Networking Technician
• Office Assistant
• Energy and Building Trades
• Construction Technology
• Industrial Electricity
• Plumbing & Heating
• Refrigeration
8:26:32 AM
MS. LECOMPTE proceeded to slide 9, titled "Other Workforce
Training at AVTEC," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
• Apprenticeships
• Related Technical Instruction
• IT Apprenticeship
• Senior Year to Career
• Customized Training
• Residential Building and Maintenance
MS. LECOMPTE moved to slide 10, titled "AVTEC-Technical
Vocational Education Program (TVEP) Funds," which showed an
illustration of the impact of the funds, to which TVEP funds
comprise 17 percent of the overall AVTEC budget. She continued
on slide 11, titled "TVEP Allocations," and drew attention to
the last column, titled "Investment Per Participant," that she
referred to as a "great return on investment." She concluded on
slide 11, titled "AVTEC Students Work in Priority Industries,"
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
• Alternative & Renewable Energy
• Construction
• Education
• Fisheries, Seafood & Maritime
• Healthcare • Information Technology
• Mining, Oil & Gas
• Service Industry
• Transportation
MS. LECOMPTE reiterated that training is provided to Alaskans to
choose the industry they wish to get into for their careers.
She welcomed questions from committee members.
8:29:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked Ms. Lecompte whether someone does
outreach to the industries she serves.
MS. LECOMPTE confirmed that a staff of individuals reach out to
industry partners as well as high schools through their college
and career fairs.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX referred to slide 10, noting the "other"
category on the pie chart and asked whether it was industry
funding.
MS. LECOMPTE explained that "other" is interagency agreements.
8:31:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY referred to the budget on page 10 and
inquired what impact losing 2 percent of TVEP funds would have.
MS. LECOMPTE responded that TVEP may lose approximately $2.3
million out of the budget, which may result in discontinuing
some of the programming offered.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MUNOZ added that if Version R were adopted,
then the overall allocation would increase because the
designation goes from .16 to .25.
8:33:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT reflected on slide 5 and asked for an
outline of the ratio of mental health counselors and career
guides to the number of students served.
MS. LECOMPTE replied there are two counselors dedicated to
providing mental health support, and there is a ratio of about 1
to 75. In addition, she said, there is a career counselor.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT referred to slide 11 and the "value we
are getting" for AVTEC, but she voiced her concern about the
Amundsen Educational Center program with an investment per
participant of $54,820.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MUNOZ deferred to the director of AWIB.
8:37:00 AM
DIRK CRAFT, Executive Director, Alaska Workforce Investment
Board, Department of Labor and Workforce Development, replied to
Representative Himschoot and explained that the reporting
requirements are laid out in statute and are all formula funded.
He stated that he could not speak to the specific institution.
8:38:43 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked what Amundsen Educational Center
focused on.
MR. CRAFT noted that it was formerly New Frontier Vocational
Technical Center and focuses on training rural Alaskans for
entry-level positions.
8:39:44 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE asked whether the AWIB board ever withheld
the 20 percent from any of the programs since the previous
audit.
MR. CRAFT responded to his knowledge, no.
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE [asked a question in reference to Section 5
of HB 55, Version R, which would amend AS 23.15.835(h) in terms
of an institution's failure to comply with certain subsections
of Title 23, including subsection (e), which lists requirements
of an expenditure and performance report]. He asked Mr. Craft
whether there were any programs that did not follow the items
"listed out in [subsection] (e)" or whether most programs follow
that to the letter of the law.
MR. CRAFT responded that the items in subsection (e) are
reporting requirements, and the information has been returned to
the research and analysis department to put into the annual
report.
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE referred to the audit on the job and wage
information as a requirement and observed that the requirement
has not been removed in Version R. He asked whether it was a
requirement that should be removed or something the department
would add at some point going forward.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MUNOZ opined that it is a requirement she
would like to see as part of the annual reporting, and it could
be included in Version R.
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE stated that it is currently a statutory
reporting requirement but expressed concern that none of these
programs in the next year would receive funds due to not being
able to do the things currently in statute.
8:43:25 AM
MR. CRAFT asked Co-chair Ruffridge to rephrase his question.
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE read from the aforementioned subsection (e)
and explained that he was trying to find clarity as to how the
items in statute would be accomplished unless DLWD or the AWID
board were involved in the reporting.
MR. CRAFT, in reference to the reporting requirements listed out
in the aforementioned section, explained that AWIB manages 7 of
the 10 TVEP recipients which involves processing reimbursements
for the programs, but AWIB does not do direct monitoring of
those programs.
8:46:16 AM
CO-CHAIR RUFFRIDGE expressed uncertainly how the requirements of
[paragraphs] (1) through (3) could be accomplished without
assistance from the department. He noted that grantees are
struggling to accomplish things and performance metrics are
lacking.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MUNOZ said there is access to wage data
through the Employment Security Tax division. She stated she
would find out how it would work and added that it could be
connected in terms of performance measures.
8:48:20 AM
THOMAS LANCE, President, Alaska Research Consortium (ARC), gave
invited testimony in support of HB 55 and provided a background
of the Alaska Research Consortium and added that it collaborates
with public and private entities including AVTEC. He read from
Alaska Statutes Title 16, Chapter 52. He encouraged the passing
of HB 55 and to reauthorize TVEP to support the state's
workforce.
8:51:03 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 8:51 a.m.
8:51:29 AM
DON ETHERIDGE, Lobbyist, American Federation of Labor and
Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL/CIO), gave invited
testimony during the hearing on HB 55. He offered his belief
that the STEP program should be expanded and stated that he
supported TVEP expansion. In reference to the $10 million
increase, he said he did not have a problem with a modest
increase, but "we need to keep a close eye on it."
8:54:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked Mr. Etheridge to elaborate on
competitive programs.
MR. ETHERIDGE replied that the original intent was to make it a
grant system, but it changed when it went through the process.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked whether the intention was to go to
post-secondary training institutions or to individual grants.
MR. ETHERIDGE said the original idea was to go out to different
nonprofit training groups so they could bring in the funds that
are hard for them to come up with.
8:55:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked Mr. Etheridge if he was aware of
any vocation or career technical education centers opened in the
last 20 years since the program was created.
MR. ETHERIDGE stated that he was not aware.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked Mr. Etheridge whether he had
heard of the Prince of Wales Vocational and Technical Education
Center.
MR. ETHERIDGE responded that he had but did not follow what the
program was doing.
8:56:42 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD asked Mr. Etheridge whether he knew that the
Alaska Job Center Network has added 7 percent.
MR. ETHERIDGE expressed his belief that it should be under STEP.
8:57:23 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 8:57 a.m.
8:58:35 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY questioned that the bill stated that the
money is supposed to go to institutions that are doing post-
secondary or vocational education, and when she thought of the
Alaska Job Center Network, she did not think of it as an
institution that is putting together programs, and she pointed
out that the money is supposed to help support programs.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MUNOZ responded that she did not think the
job centers are institutions but the ability exists to provide
direct training support through the job centers.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY observed that by statute, the money should
be going to institutions; therefore, she was hesitant to accept
Version R.
ACTING COMMISSIONER MUNOZ suggested there could be an amendment
added to clarify things.
9:01:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX removed his objection to the motion to adopt
Version R.
9:01:26 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY objected.
9:01:30 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:01 a.m. to 9:02 a.m.
9:02:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY removed her objection.
9:02:48 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced her intention to hold over HB 55.
9:03:09 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 9:03 a.m.
9:03:48 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced there being no further objection,
Version R to HB 55 was adopted as the working document.
[HB 55 was held over.]
9:04:22 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:04 a.m. to 9:05 a.m.
HB 274-SCREENING/READING INTERVENTION K-3
9:05:36 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 274, "An Act relating to screening reading
deficiencies and providing reading intervention services to
public school students enrolled in grades kindergarten through
three."
9:06:03 AM
DEENA BISHOP, Commissioner, Department of Education and Early
Development, introduced HB 274 on behalf of the bill sponsor,
House Rules by request of the governor. She began a
corresponding PowerPoint [hard copy included in the committee
packet], titled "HB 274 Screening/Reading Intervention K-3 to
Update the Alaska Reads Act." She stated that she would move
through the slideshow fairly quickly and proceeded to slide 2
showing the Mission, Vision, and Purpose, and slide 3, titled
"Alaska's Education Challenge, which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
Five Shared Strategic 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.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP noted the first point on the slide would be
the context of today's discussion. Slide 4 featured an agenda,
and she stated she would have new information for the committee
on Alaska Reads Act data.
9:07:44 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD asked whether there would be a reading of the
sectional analysis or the sponsor letter.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP confirmed that another staff member would be
available to present.
9:08:22 AM
LAUREL SHOOP, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Education and Early Development, on behalf of the
bill sponsor, House Rules by request of the governor, gave the
sectional analysis for HB 274 [included in the committee packet]
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Section 1:
Amends AS 14.30.760 Statewide screening and support
paragraph (a) by removing language that only required
students in grades K-3 to take the statewide literacy
screener once in the fall if they met the proficiency
benchmark on the first try. By having all students
take the screener three times a year educators and
parents can track progress throughout the year. It
also allows for progress monitoring to inform
additional instruction to increase reading skills
beyond just proficiency.
Section 2:
Amends AS 14.30.765 Reading intervention services and
strategies; progression paragraph (f) by adjusting the
date of the meeting between parents, the teacher, and
other pertinent district staff to discuss whether a
third-grade student is ready for grade four. The
adjustment is from 45 days from the end of the school
year to 15 days. By changing this timeframe, data from
the third administration of the statewide literacy
screener can be used in the conversation. This
additional information allows the parents to make a
more informed decision regarding their child's
education and better reflects the overall learning
levels of students at the end of the grade level.
9:10:04 AM
COMMISSIONER BISHOP continued the presentation on slide 5, which
featured acronyms, and she drew attention to two of them which
she said she would refer to throughout the discussion:
Beginning of Year (BOY), and Middle of Year (MOY). On slide 6,
titled "Alaska Reads Act Overview," she shared there are four
components, but one is actually required. She stated she would
speak to the required component, "District Reading Improvement,"
adding that reporting/data collections is also required. She
proceeded to slides 7 and 8, titled "Alaska Reads Act: District
Reading Improvement," and explained that in the aforementioned
required component that the bill speaks to, the two items to
focus on are the literacy screener and progression. She
expounded on the literacy screener shown on slide 8. She noted
th
that on slide 9, titled "mCLASS DIBELS 8 Edition Statewide
Literacy Screener," DIBELS 8 is the state assessment and is paid
for through the Alaska Reads Act for all districts. She
proceeded to slide 10, titled "Objectives for Data Review,"
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
• Determine which districts/schools/classrooms need
additional support
• Analyze Beginning of Year (BOY) & Middle of Year
(MOY) data to understand trends and needs for the
remainder of the school year
Consider adjustments to systems/plans that need to
be addressed
9:13:28 AM
th
COMMISSIONER BISHOP moved to slide 11, titled "mCLASS DIBELS 8
Edition Literacy Screener Components," which featured different
kinds of screeners that students receive. Slide 12 featured
literacy screener assessment risk categories, which shared how
students are reported after taking assessments. She continued
to slide 13, which shared completion rates of students who have
taken MOY data. Slides 14 and 15, she said, featured BOY and
MOY compared data. She noted the bar chart featuring MOY shows
it has moved in the right direction. Slide 15, she said, showed
who makes up what category by grade. She said regarding the
expectation of a child and what they know, MOY is more than the
expectation in the beginning; therefore, these are "moving
assessments." She noted that Alaska, compared to the rest of
the nation, is still behind but not "out of the ballpark."
9:18:37 AM
COMMISSIONER BISHOP said that on slides 17 and 18, titled
th
"Correlation Report: mCLASS DIBELS 8 Edition Beginning of the
year (BOY) Middle of the Year (MOY)," the question is once
students assess, where do they go, which she stressed is key to
understanding learning.
9:21:36 AM
COMMISSIONER BISHOP reiterated that the assessments are minimal.
She noted the progression piece featured on slide 19, titled
"Alaska Reads Act: District Reading Improvement," which is also
a requirement. She added that individualized reading
improvement plans are participated in with the parent and
teacher. She concluded the presentation by stating that she
hoped the data and student learning were better understood.
9:24:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX related that his kids did not have trouble
learning how to read; therefore, he did not know what it felt
like when "it didn't work." He questioned whether parents could
get an "assignment" where they could make a significant
contribution to their child's success in reading.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP replied yes, the individual reading
improvement plan (IRIP) is a suggestion to what parents can do
at home to assist in learning.
9:25:32 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK asked how much financial burden of the
bill is picked up by school districts.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP replied that the actual fiscal note is
$6,000 for the drafting of regulations, but that reading in
general is a core mission of school districts.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK noted that some districts are
"drowning" with the Alaska Reads Act and not being able to fund
it. He asked whether it was appropriate to try and implement
more if current requirements can't be met.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP offered her belief the proposed legislation
was not asking for additional work, it was just clarifying
language. She expressed that she would love an additional
investment in reading.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK asked whether the reading requirements
that need to be met would be on English standards.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP replied that at the present time, the
department is creating screeners in six different languages.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK requested a list of the languages.
9:29:06 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT observed that slide 13 did not include
home school students or where they fall in the Alaska Reads Act.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP replied that all students are required, and
the "ask" is in K-3 to participate. In addition, there is the
parents' right to decide whether to have their student assessed.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT requested a breakdown to reflect which
students are homeschooled.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP stated she could provide data by district
and school.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked for confirmation that the Act has
just been in effect this school year.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP confirmed this was the first year the
accountability system for the Act was in place.
9:30:58 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:30 a.m. to 9:31 a.m.
9:31:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT expressed concern about making changes
to something that has not been in place long and asked whether
the changes were brought forth from the districts. She further
questioned the need for change after the first year of
implementation.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP explained that the "asks" were additional
asks from practitioners "on the ground." In regard to the
assessment, it was at the district level.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT requested the results of focus groups
or where the data was collected from to get a sense of the areas
the asks are coming from.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP confirmed she could gather the information
and provide it to the committee at a later date.
9:33:41 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK asked Commissioner Bishop how well the
new requirements gel with current curriculum already in place.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP asked for confirmation whether he meant the
Alaska Reads Act in general.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK expressed his concern about what HB 274
would implement. He pointed out slide 19 regarding parental
involvement and what would happen if a child does not have a
parent present.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP acknowledged that that happens, but the
intent of the new language in the bill was to not exclude
parents.
9:37:18 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked about the data collected, and if it
is not required, "how does it come about."
COMMISSIONER BISHOP replied it is for approximately 80 percent
of students, and at the Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED), it is a large enough number for the
department to make decisions.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY observed that teachers would know through
other assessments whether their kids were falling back. She
referred to a "stakeholder group," and asked Commissioner Bishop
whether she talked to them regarding the changes she wished to
make.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP explained that the stakeholder group is in
process to be gathered back and noted it is also a request in
the ask. She added that every child deserves to learn no matter
their level, and how all students are doing is of key interest.
9:41:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY sought an example of doing an IRIP.
COMMISSIONER BISHOP said the IRIP is a plan that is written
separately, and she further explained the additional screeners.
9:43:26 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD opened public testimony on HB 274. After
ascertaining no one wished to testify, she closed public
testimony.
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced that HB 274 was held over.
9:44:17 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 9:44 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB55.SponsorStatement.Version A.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 55 |
| HB55 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 55 |
| HB55A.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 55 |
| HB55 Fiscal Note #1 DEED-SSA.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 55 |
| HB55 Fiscal Note #2 DLWD-WIB.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 55 |
| HB55 Fiscal Note #3 DLWD-UI.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 55 |
| HB55 Fiscal Note #4 DLWD-AVTC.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 55 |
| CSHB 55(EDU) LS-0360\R .pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 55 |
| HB274 Transmittal Letter.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2024 8:00:00 AM |
|
| HB274A.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 274 |
| HB274 - Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 274 |
| DOLWD-AVTEC House Education Committee .pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2024 8:00:00 AM |
|
| HB274 Fiscal Note DEED-SSA.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 274 |
| HB274 DEED Presentation 03 13 24.pdf |
HEDC 3/13/2024 8:00:00 AM |
HB 274 |