Legislature(2003 - 2004)
04/13/2004 11:07 AM House EDU
| Audio | Topic |
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
April 13, 2004
11:07 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Carl Gatto, Chair
Representative Paul Seaton, Vice Chair
Representative Dan Ogg
Representative Peggy Wilson
Representative Kelly Wolf
Representative Les Gara
Representative Mary Kapsner
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 84
"An Act relating to a curriculum for Alaska history; and
providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 84(EDU) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 551
"An Act relating to the issuance of teacher certificates to and
revocation of teacher certificates of persons convicted of
felony drug offenses and to the issuance of limited teacher
certificates to persons convicted of certain crimes involving a
minor and felony drug offenses."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 84
SHORT TITLE: ALASKA HISTORY CURRICULUM
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) KAPSNER
02/07/03 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/07/03 (H) EDU, HES, FIN
04/13/04 (H) EDU AT 11:00 AM CAPITOL 124
WITNESS REGISTER
MARJORIE MENZI, Project Director
Alaska History Curriculum Development Program
Alaska Humanities Forum
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a power point presentation on HB
84 and answered questions from the members.
IRA PERMAN, Executive Director
Alaska Humanities Forum
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a power point presentation to the
committee, testified in support of HB 84, and answered questions
from the members.
TIM STEELE, Member
Anchorage School Board
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 84 and answered
questions from the members.
STEVE HAYCOX, Ph.D.
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 84.
KEVIN SWEENEY, Legislative Liaison
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 84 and answered questions
from the committee.
BARBARA THOMPSON, Director
Teaching and Learning Support
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 84 and answered questions
from the committee.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 04-18, SIDE A
Number 0001
CHAIR CARL GATTO called the House Special Committee on Education
meeting to order at 11:07 a.m. Representatives Gatto, Seaton,
Wilson, Ogg, and Kapsner were present at the call to order.
Representatives Wolf and Gara arrived as the meeting was in
progress.
HB 84-ALASKA HISTORY CURRICULUM
Number 0035
CHAIR GATTO announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 84, "An Act relating to a curriculum for Alaska
history; and providing for an effective date."
Number 0043
REPRESENTATIVE MARY KAPSNER, Alaska State Legislature, as
sponsor, testified on HB 84 and answered questions from the
members. She told the members that this bill requires that a
student must [pass] this Alaska History course before graduating
from high school. It directs the Department of Education and
Early Development to develop a standards-based curriculum. The
hope is this course would be one of six required social studies
courses.
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER shared that U.S. Senator Ted Stevens has
provided for an appropriation through the Alaska Humanities
Forum which has given the Department of Education and Early
Development to issue a zero fiscal note on this legislation.
She told the members that Marjorie Menzi will be presenting a
power point presentation. Marjorie formerly worked for the
Department of Education and Early Development and now works for
the Alaska Humanities Forum specifically working to get the
Alaska History curriculum in high schools.
Number 0182
MARJORIE MENZI, Project Director, Alaska History Curriculum
Development Program, Alaska Humanities Forum, presented a power
point presentation on HB 84 and answered questions from the
members. She noted that the presentation is actually being done
jointly with Ira Perman who is on-line from Anchorage.
Number 0229
IRA PERMAN, Executive Director, Alaska Humanities Forum,
presented a power point presentation to the committee, testified
in support of HB 84 and answered questions from the members. He
told the committee that Marjorie Menzi, the Project Director for
the Alaska History Curriculum Development Program, which is
developing a course for Alaska history for all Alaska high
schools students. He told the members that the curriculum would
be presented to the members through the power point
presentation. Mr. Perman added that he and Ms. Menzi would be
available to answer questions from the committee throughout the
presentation. He said that after the members see the
presentation he hopes HB 84 will be passed out of committee with
a "do pass" recommendation.
MR. PERMAN reminded the members that about a month and a half
ago during U.S. Senator Ted Stevens address to the joint session
of the legislature he said the following:
The Alaska Humanities Forum is developing a statewide
curriculum in Alaskan History. It is my hope that
this curriculum will enable future generations to
grasp and preserve what it means to be 'Alaskan'.
Number 0468
MR. PERMAN commented that everyone is aware of the fact that the
state faces unusually difficult fiscal times, but Representative
Kapsner said thanks to Senator Stevens' this bill has a zero a
fiscal note.
MR. PERMAN offered that some might question why Alaska history
should be required at this time. He explained that there is a
large national awareness that democracy is not self-sufficient.
It must be taught to every generation. It is important for
students to learn about our history and about our values, and
government institutions, so that each generation participates
and continues to be involved. Including this course will
prepare our students to be knowledgeable adults. Shortly after
taking this course the students will be eligible to vote, he
pointed out. To be a good voter a person needs to know the
state's history, how the government works, cultures, and
geography. Mr. Perman emphasized that everyone is concerned
about our future generations and want them to stay in Alaska.
If they have a sense of what it means to be Alaskan, it is more
likely they will stay here.
Number 0614
MR. PERMAN explained that [the map in the power point
presentation shows] how Alaska history is taught across the
state. There are 52 school districts, and for the most part
Alaska history is taught at the elementary school level. Some
school districts teach Alaska history at the high school level
as an elective, he added. In the rural areas of Alaska, Alaska
history is a required course that all students must take.
However, Mr. Perman pointed out that in the highly populated
areas such as Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Sitka, Matanuska-
Susitna, and Kenai areas, if Alaska history is taught it is an
elective at the high school level. He added that very few
students actually take the course. So these students emerge
from high school with very little knowledge of what Alaska is
all about, he summarized. He told the members that this bill
would require that every high school student have completed a
high school level course in Alaska history.
Number 0719
MR. PERMAN said that their research shows that of the 50 states
47 require either through state law or regulation that their
high school students take their state's history course. The
laws also set the grade level at which the course must be taken,
he added. Another interesting point that was discovered is that
most states require that students take the course multiple
times, for example at the elementary level, the secondary level,
and again at the high school level. There is a big difference
in what is taught. At the elementary level the teacher may pose
the questions, "Do you know that you have a permanent fund? Do
you know that you will receive a check? Do you know how much it
is?" Then the question is: "Do you know where it comes from?"
At the high school level the questions would be something like,
"How did the permanent fund come to be?" This would bring into
question Alaska's political process and how the state works. He
summarized that Alaska History at the high school level is going
to be far more in-depth.
Number 0865
MR. PERMAN told the members that the good news about this
legislation is that there will be no cost to the state. The
funding has been provided by Senator Stevens. It was determined
a couple of years ago that there just wasn't enough money in the
state's budget to make an effort like this happen. Senator
Stevens made it his mission to ensure that money did not stand
in the way of making this happen. All the costs associated with
putting this in place was in the president's budget and will be
administered through the Department of Education and Early
Development. The course is under development now. Marjorie
Menzi who is the project director will give a brief summary on
the status of its development. The funds have been provided for
the classroom materials and teacher training.
Number 0992
MS. MENZI explained that the course is a web-based curriculum,
not a distance-delivered curriculum. This course will be using
the web as resource material, but it will be produced on a CD,
and there will be one for every student and teacher in the
state. There will also be a printed teacher's guide with the
lessons and activities that will be on the CD. There will be
standardized student assessment to ensure that the students have
learned.
Number 1190
MS. MENZI told the members that there is a 28-member committee
of primarily educators and community leaders from around the
state who have directed the development of the course. These
individuals have identified the six main narratives themes that
will be the basis of the course. Chronology will be an
important part as it relates to world history. It was also
decided that regional history will be included because of the
rich regional history that has already been developed by local
school districts.
MS. MENZI explained that the committee will identify essential
questions and enduring understandings that students should have
as a result of taking this course. The six themes that are
being developed are geography, cultures, Russian period, the
early American period, government or statehood governance, and
post statehood and current events. She told the members that
all of the authors are affiliated with the University of Alaska
as follows:
Geography - Dr. Roger Pearson
Cultures - Paul Ongtooguk
Russian Period - Dr. Steve Haycox
Early American Period - Jo Antonson
Government - Dr. Terrance Cole
Post Statehood/Current Events - Dr. Steve Haycox
MS. MENZI told the members that all of the main narratives are
currently being worked on. Because this is a web-based
curriculum it will be possible to incorporate primary documents
from the Virtual Library and Digital Archives (VILDA) from the
Alaska state historical library. The University of Alaska
Fairbanks has been working on what is called the "Juke Box"
project which is an oral history collection and which will also
be available for the class. Ms. Menzi shared that there will be
a section on biographies. Many of our history makers are still
alive and there is a great effort to capture their retrospective
thoughts on what they lived through. That will also be included
in the curriculum through the Juke Box project.
Number 1345
MS. MENZI shared that another special feature available through
the class is a virtual field trips. There are many site
currently up and filled with information, so by guiding the
students through these virtual field trips it will enable
students to experience a lot of Alaska that they might not be
able to visit. As the former Director of the Alaska Close Up
Program she became aware of the fact that so many of the
students from Northern Alaska had no idea what Southeast Alaska
was like, and students from Southeast Alaska had no idea what
Northern Alaska was like. In the 1980s it was her experience
that most of the students had no idea what the Capitol was like
and what happened there. Virtual field trips will enable the
students to experience historical monuments and landmarks around
the state, she said. She emphasized that because this is a web-
based course students will be able to visit sites like the
Alskool site on Alaska Native cultures, the oral history sites,
and government sites. She explained that the course will
largely use public domain sites because it is very expensive to
get copy write permissions for private materials.
Number 1450
MS. MENZI said that a special assessment tool called the
culminating project. This was implemented by the National
History Day program which encourages students to develop a
culminating project in their studies. For example, the student
could either do an exhibit, performance, paper, or documentary
which demonstrates the knowledge obtained through Alaska
history, she commented. There have been students in Alaska who
have been recognized in National History Day competition for
their contributions and have been published in national history
journals.
MS. MENZI told the members that the committee is working with
Lucid Reverie LLC in developing a site. Many other state model
curriculums were studied to determine what important feature
should be on the site. Some of the things that were identified
were the historical timeline. The dates used will be the same
as those used by the library to do their VILDA project so the
timelines will be in sync. She emphasized that there is an
effort to work collaboratively with anything that might have
input into this project. For example, the project is
collaborating with the museum in Anchorage which is currently
doing arts curriculum on-line and it will be incorporated in the
history curriculum, she said.
Number 1658
MS. MENZI provided a brief visual overview of the site to the
members. [The CD is available through Alaska History Curriculum
Development Program, Alaska Humanities Forum, the Department of
Education and Early Development.] She emphasized that funding
for teacher training was also provided by Senator Stevens. This
summer 30 teachers will be trained at UAA, will then pilot the
course, it will be revised to address what does and does not
work in the classrooms.
Number 1801
CHAIR GATTO announced for the record that Representative Gara
has been in the meeting for the entire presentation.
Number 1810
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER told the members that this bill has
widespread support throughout the state. She said that the
following groups are in support of this legislation:
Commonwealth North
Humanities Forum
Alaska Historical Commission
Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
Alaska Equal Rights Commission
CIRI Foundation
Alaska Resource Development Council
Former governors
National Education Association
Alaska Association of School Administrators
Alaska Municipal League
Alaska Geographic Society
Palmer Historical Society
AFN
First Alaskans Foundation
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER pointed to the many supportive newspaper
editorials that have been included in the members' packets.
CHAIR GATTO asked if there are any organized groups that oppose
HB 84.
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER replied not to her knowledge.
Number 1868
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON complimented Ms. Menzi on her efforts and
enthusiasm for this project.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA asked if the courses currently taught in
Anchorage are the same as those that would be taught statewide.
Number 1903
MS. MENZI commented that the Anchorage School District adopted a
requirement for a semester course in Alaska history last year.
The project is working very closely with them. She noted that
the Anchorage School District is doing a training this summer
for their teachers which is separate from the training we will
be providing. She emphasized that the courses are being merged
and next year everything will be in sync. The course the
project will provide will be on CD.
CHAIR GATTO asked how the student uses the CD.
MS. MENZI responded that it is used just like a textbook.
CHAIR GATTO commented that the student must have a computer.
MS. MENZI pointed out that if the teacher has one computer in
her classroom, he/she could use it as has been done here in the
committee room. It is also possible to print out the portions
of the CD and give reading assignments. The CD's can be taken
home, used at the library, or computer labs. She noted that
this will be an innovation. She said that the Department of
Education and Early Development can confirm this, but she
believes 98-99 percent of Alaskan students have access to a
computer and Internet connection.
CHAIR GATTO added that in Rural Alaska in some cases there are
14 students in a class and all are issued a laptop computer for
classroom use. He asked if Anchorage adopted this requirement
on its own without a state law.
MS. MENZI replied that is correct. The Anchorage School Board
adopted this requirement.
CHAIR GATTO asked if there is some justification for imposing
this class rather than allowing school districts consider and
adopt this requirement.
MS. MENZI replied that there are some districts that have been
reluctant to adopt it. Anchorage's leadership will be
significant in terms of local adoption, but there are students
who are not getting this. She shared that five of her children
went to Juneau Douglas High School, and none of them are in the
state. They each graduated from college and are all living
elsewhere, she commented. She said she believes it is important
for students to study their state and realize how unique Alaska
is.
Number 2133
MR. PERMAN commented that most school districts simply did not
have the resources to put this course in place. It is expensive
to develop a course, train teachers, and provide materials for
the course work. He emphasized that he has not encountered any
school districts that have philosophical opposition to this. A
poll a few years ago asked if it was believed that Alaskan high
school students should learn Alaska history and the result was
that 91 percent said yes.
CHAIR GATTO told Mr. Perman that he is not opposed to the bill,
but has some further questions. In reference to the poll, he
said he believes that there would be a positive result of 91
percent to teach most subjects.
MR. PERMAN replied that the phrasing of the question was "should
Alaska history be required to be taught to every high school
student in Alaska." Even though it was a requirement or
mandate, the margin was still two to one in favor of having that
course taught to Alaska high school students, he said.
CHAIR GATTO questioned what the response would be if the public
were asked which class of electives should be deleted so that
the student can be taught Alaska history.
MR. PERMAN responded that the same question came up in
Anchorage. He commented that the state requires that there be 6
semesters in social studies and many of those are electives. He
admitted that having this course as a requirement would remove
the opportunity for students to take one of those electives.
Mr. Perman said that school districts have different electives.
In Anchorage there are 49 possible electives. He said that he
believes the local school districts will have to make the
decision about what elective might not be taught.
CHAIR GATTO used a hypothetical example of Ms. Menzi's children
who went to college. If they applied to college with a third
year of math or two years of math and one year of Alaska
History; would the absence of a third year of math diminish the
number of colleges that might have accepted them, he asked. In
other words, he questioned whether the students would be
penalized for taking Alaska history and eliminating a chance for
the students to take a third year of math.
Number 2368
MS. MENZI commented that since the students are already required
by the state to take six credits in social studies to graduate,
this course would not be taking away a course of study the
student could take. It is just part of the existing social
studies requirement, she emphasized. It is just that the state
does not current dictate what any of those six semester must be,
she added.
Number 2474
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON shared that he had received e-mails from
the school districts he represents. The response from Sam
Stewart of the Kenai Peninsula School District indicated that
this change will mean that most schools will not be offering any
social studies electives. He said it is interesting to note
that in districts that offer Alaska history the course is not
taken very much because other courses are considered to be more
important by the students.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said the other response he received back
from Ron Keffler, principal of Homer High School, indicated that
he would prefer not to have this be a requirement at this time
because the school is still suffering staff cuts. The school's
ability to apply sufficient and appropriate elective courses has
already been diminished severely and this would exacerbate the
problem. Another concern is that the social studies teachers
that would have to teach the course are already fully
subscribed. Representative Seaton asked Ms. Menzi if some of
the schools social studies programs would have to drop courses
in order to offer this one.
Number 2574
MS. MENZI replied that most school districts offer or require
one year of American History, one year of World History, and
some have a requirement for a semester of government. In the
Anchorage School District four credits social studies are
required, rather than three. Anchorage also requires a semester
of economics and Alaska studies. A survey was done a number of
years ago which found the most commonly offered courses in
social studies were economics, government, and Alaska studies.
One of the great things about this program is that it provides
for teacher training. Even though all teachers must take an
Alaska history course for certification, many do not feel
comfortable to teach it. The opportunity for more intensive
training is something the teachers welcome, she added.
Number 2647
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON clarified that what Ms. Menzi is saying is
if a school district has a six semester requirement, and
required courses include one year of American history, one year
of world history, one semester of economics and one semester of
government; then one of these courses will have to be dropped.
MS. MENZI replied that the Alaska history that is being put
forth has a government component. Government is also covered in
American history as well, she added. She emphasized her belief
that it is important for students to know the history of the
state where they live.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON told the committee that he thinks it is
great that there is a curriculum being developed that will be
available to the districts, but explained that he is
uncomfortable dictating to the districts on this point. He
noted that it appears many of the rural districts do not have
the options for as many electives. He said he is not sure that
imposing this course on the other districts makes sense.
MS. MENZI commented that the bulk of the population is in the
urban areas and is not being offered. That is of course is with
the exception of Anchorage which has 43 percent of the student
population.
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER said that the nine school districts that
do not require Alaska history are Chatham, Chugach,
Delta/Greeley, Denali Borough, Fairbanks North Star Borough,
Iditarod Area, Juneau, Sitka, and Unalaska. She commented that
she is the only member of the committee who was required to take
an Alaska history course. Representative Kapsner said she
graduated from the Lower-Kuskokwim School District and was very
surprised when she learned that other schools do not require it.
She said she is surprised when meeting other Alaskans and finds
that they do not know that much about the state in which they
live. Representative Kapsner added that this topic has been the
subject of discussion for many years. Senator Hensley
introduced a resolution in the early 1980s urging an Alaska
history course. Even after the resolution passed, few school
districts heeded that resolution.
Number 2846
REPRESENTATIVE GARA commented that he believes there are many
reasons this bill is important. A lot of flexibility has been
taken away from schools because of the standardized testing
requirements.
The committee took an at-ease from 11:53 a.m. to 11:54 a.m.
Number 2879
REPRESENTATIVE GARA pointed out that with the exception of
Anchorage, the areas where kids are not learning Alaska history
are urban areas. He added that these are areas where most of
the population does not grow up in Alaska. Without requiring
that Alaska history be taught most of these children will not
have the benefit of learning about it. Representative Gara said
he believes these kids are the ones who are most in need of
having pride in where they are from. He told the members that
there are 25 co-sponsors of this bill, which he believes is more
than almost any other bill before the legislature this year.
TAPE 04-18, SIDE B
Number 2955
REPRESENTATIVE GARA acknowledged Representative Seaton's concern
that there is only so much class time, but said he believes the
need for it rests on its merits. He corrected his earlier
statement that there are 25 co-sponsor, there are actually 29
co-sponsors.
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON noted that there could be other reasons
why schools do not teach Alaska history. For example, she
shared that when she grew up 40 some years ago in Iowa, Iowa
studies was a required course. She commented that she cannot
remember a single thing that she learned in that class. The
advantage Alaska has is an incredible curriculum that almost
anyone could teach. Representative Wilson commented that a
couple of years ago when this issue came up many schools did not
want it because it was an unfunded mandate. Now the funding has
been provided. She summarized her comments by saying that
legislators should be doing all they can to ensure that some of
Alaska's kids come back to Alaska. This course could be a
start.
Number 2850
CHAIR GATTO asked Ms. Menzi if Alaska history is taught in 4th
grade, U.S. history in 5th grade, and world history in 6th
grade.
Number 2832
MS. MENZI replied yes, that is commonly done. It is taught in a
cursory fashion because the students are not developmentally
able to deal with very complex thought processes in terms of
issues such as the permanent fund. As high schoolers they are
much more mature learners and they have the ability to grasp
complex concepts, she added.
CHAIR GATTO asked if Ms. Menzi would suggest deleting the course
from the elementary curriculum.
MS. MENZI responded absolutely not. She commented that many
states require their state's history be taught two or three
times, elementary, middle school, and high school level.
Number 2745
TIM STEELE, Member, Anchorage School Board, testified in support
of HB 84 and answered questions from the members. The Anchorage
School Board believes that every student graduating from high
school should have a demonstrable knowledge of Alaska's history,
he said. He commented that there is a reason why 47 states have
this requirement. Alaska needs it more than others because we
have a rich broad history. He said whenever traveling to the
Lower 48 states people are very intrigued with Alaska. Mr.
Steele said he believes we need to be good ambassadors for
Alaska.
MR. STEELE told the members that the Anchorage School District
is working very closely with the Alaska Humanities Forum. The
requirement for completion of an Alaska history course goes into
effect this year, he added. He urged support of HB 84.
Number 2670
REPRESENTATIVE GARA asked Mr. Steele to respond to the question
concerning the effect of requiring this course which would
remove an option for an additional elective course.
Number 2647
MR. STEELE responded that it was a big issue, particularly for
students who are high achieving students or advanced placement
students that wanted to take extra language or math courses. He
said that he believes those students will take extra classes
anyway. The school board felt that it was overwhelmingly
obvious that students need to have a common understanding of our
state. So many come from somewhere else, he added.
CHAIR GATTO asked if this was a school board decision and asked
what the vote was.
MR. STEELE responded that the vote was 7-0 in favor of requiring
the course.
Number 2601
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked Mr. Steele if he believes if the
state had made the decision and dictated the requirement of the
course if it would have created a different reaction within the
community.
MR. STEELE acknowledged that it probably would have been a "burr
under our saddle" to be told to do it. When examining the
rationale, it is found to be a good rationale, he said. He said
he believes it is important to have common standards thoughout
the state. The materials that are being developed will make
this a huge resource to the schools.
Number 2531
STEVE HAYCOX, Ph.D. testified in support of HB 84. He told the
committee he is a former history professor at the University of
Alaska, and has been published by University of Washington
Press, and was the Chair of the Alaska Humanities Forum when
this initiative was adopted to work for this requirement. He
commented that his wife teaches honors world history in West
High School and is one of ten teachers last year who taught the
Alaska studies pilot course at West High School. She currently
is currently in Kotlik with four West High School students who
will be spending the week going to school there.
Number 2456
DR. HAYCOX pointed out that a certain number of language arts,
math, and science credits are mandated statewide. He said he
believes it is important to be comfortable with mandating Alaska
history in understanding where and who we are. Dr. Haycox
shared that the developmental issue is important. One question
that needs to be answered by the students is "so what". What is
important about Alaska history. For example, he said that
Ernest Gruening was governor of Alaska. It is important for
students to know that he dedicated himself to getting Alaska
admitted in the union as a state. He agreed with Ms. Menzi that
the developmental track is significant and repetition is
important, but not just repetition, it is taking it to a deeper
understanding each time the student is exposed to it.
DR. HAYCOX commented on Representative Seaton's concern by
saying that in the Anchorage School Districts students still
have a free elective even with the new Alaska history
requirement. He emphasized that the school board looked closely
at this issue and satisfied those concerns that the course could
be required and still ensure a free elective.
DR. HAYCOCK agreed with Representative Gara that this is an
essential course. For example, kids going to Service High
School have no idea who Robert Service was, or kids going to
Bartlett High School have no idea who Bob Bartlett was.
Number 2152
MR. PERMAN added an observation that his daughter graduated from
West High School without taking the Alaska studies course. She
did have the opportunity spend time in Rural Alaska and at
culture camps. He explained that when applying for college the
transcripts were sent that told how many advance placement (AP)
courses were taken. He asked if it will disadvantage his
daughter if she has less AP courses than another student. The
answer is no. What the colleges look for is that the students
took as many as possible to take. So a student in a rural
school district that does not offer AP courses is rated as
highly as a student with five AP courses. She used the
opportunity of her essay to write about Alaska and what she
learned about the two or three weeks she spent in small
community. That was the one thing in her application that made
it possible for her to get into a very fine school. By having
that understanding of what it means to be an Alaskan, she is a
little unique and grounded. He believes she will come back to
Alaska, contribute to the state, and not just wander off to some
other state.
Number 1932
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON commented that of the six school districts
she represents four already have Alaska history in their
curriculum, and of the school districts that do not currently
teach it, none of them responded negatively to including this
course.
CHAIR GATTO commented that the question that needs to be
answered is if most of the districts already have the course,
should the requirement be imposed upon those school districts
that do not.
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON replied that if this was an unfunded
mandate she probably would not support it, but because there is
no cost to the schools, she believes it is a good for the
students to learn Alaska history.
CHAIR GATTO pointed out that the program will be available
anyway. It simply means that it will be up to the schools to
adopt the course of study or not. He said he doesn't believe
anyone objects to teaching Alaska history, but he questioned
whether the local school districts should decide what is in the
best interest of their students, rather than the legislature.
Number 1820
REPRESENTATIVE GARA acknowledged that the state does mandate
courses that will be taken. There is a compelling case that
Alaska history should be part of the fabric that forms the
educational system. Just the fact that most school districts
have adopted Alaska history courses shows that they are
sensitive to its importance, he added.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA shared that he grew up in New York where its
history was really colonial history that was not unlike that of
Vermont, New Jersey and Massachusetts because they are all
connected. He pointed out that Alaska has a uniquely different
history than any other state. There are cultures in this state
that have been here for thousands of years. He commented that
there is a huge transient population in Alaska and it is
important for those students to know about their state. He
shared that he just complete a book entitle Edge of No Where by
Jimmy Huntington which talked about the Huntington family's
experience in Alaska at the turn of the century. It was
fascinating, he said. Representative Gara reiterated the
course's importance and urged the members to pass HB 84.
Number 1540
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON told the members that he is fully in
support of the development of this curriculum. He has concerns
as were expressed by the Kenai Peninsula School District and the
Homer High School as to what will have to be eliminated to
accomplish this mandate. He pointed out that he believes the
Anchorage School District's local decision-making process was an
important element in requiring Alaska history in its curriculum.
There is a very big difference between what happened in
Anchorage and a state mandate to local communities who have not
bought into this proposal. He emphasized that a local process
in adopting this course is essential. Representative Seaton
told the members that he supports the bill but would like to
offer an amendment.
CHAIR GATTO asked for Representative Seaton to hold his
amendment until the members conclude their discussions.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said he believes that this is a great
curriculum. Once it is offered to districts, there will be
discussions and he believes there will buy-in to the idea of
including Alaska history in their curriculums. He summarized
that he is only uncomfortable with the mandated portion of the
bill.
CHAIR GATTO commented that Representative Gara pointed out that
there are 29 co-sponsors of HB 84. He asked Representative
Kapsner if she believes if a majority of the members wants
something then it should be forced upon the minority.
Number 1377
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER responded that is an unfair question.
She said that if there is majority support for a bill it should
go to the floor for a vote. That is done every day, she added.
CHAIR GATTO agreed that the bill will go to the floor, but his
question is really about districts which Representative Seaton
represents that do not want the bill. He commented that he
finds it ironic. There is a fairness question as to whether
districts who do not want to include this course will be forced
to do it.
Number 1320
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER said she sees that in many state statutes
now. Not just in education but in many other aspects of law.
The legislature comes together to decide what is in the common
good's interest, and although it might not be convenient for
everyone, there is agreement that something is in the best
interest of our state or community.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA commented that he recently support a very
good bill by Chair Gatto that required carbon monoxide detectors
in homes. There was a minority of people that did not want that
to be a mandate and it was decided the benefits far out weighted
the detriments. He said he thinks HB 84 is another example of
the benefits far out weighing the detriments.
Number 1194
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to adopt Amendment 1, which reads as
follows:
Page 2, line 7
Delete "shall"
Insert "may"
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER objected.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON told the committee that this amendment
retains the provision that the Department of Education and Early
Development shall develop a standard based Alaska [history]
curriculum and each school board may implement the curriculum in
their classrooms. He summarized that the only change is that
the school districts will make the determination within their
own districts as to whether it implements this course.
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON asked where the Department of Education
and Early Development stands on this bill.
Number 1096
KEVIN SWEENEY, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Education and Early Development, testified on HB
84 and answered questions from the committee. He told the
members that this issue has been before the current Board of
Education three times in the last year. This bill would require
the board to do an activity that the board already has the power
to do. If the board wanted to mandate Alaska history as part of
the required curriculum, the board could do that without HB 84.
The board received the same presentation from the Alaska
Humanities Forum in March. The board is taking some time to
consider whether this is something it wishes to mandate as a
graduation requirement. Mr. Sweeney summarized that the board
has not taken an official position on this issue yet. He added
that the presentation was well received, but it has not taken
action yet. Mr. Sweeney commented that he did not know if this
issue would be taken up at the June board meeting.
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER said that it was her understanding that
this issue would be taken up at the September board meeting.
MR. SWEENEY replied that he is not sure if the board will be
addressing this in September. The board has not taken a
position against the bill whatsoever, it is looking at the
issue, he said. Mr. Sweeney clarified that it would be odd for
the board to support a bill that has the legislature telling
them to do what it already has the power to do.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if the amendment would restrict the
Board of Education's ability to mandate the course as a
requirement for graduation.
MR. SWEENEY said if the amendment passed he is not sure what the
effect of the bill would be. He reiterated that the board would
still have the power to mandate Alaska history as a requirement
of graduation.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA asked if Mr. Sweeney knows what percentage
of teachers move to Alaska from out of state.
Number 0796
MR. SWEENEY replied that most teachers are not from Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA asked Mr. Sweeney if he believes it would
serve Alaskan students well to have their teachers know and
understand Alaska history.
MR. SWEENEY commented that he is not an educator and asked for
Barbara Thompson to respond to that questions.
CHAIR GATTO asked for clarification of Representative Gara's
question.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA said he is wondering if by mandating Alaska
history if a side benefit of the bill would be that the teachers
would also understand Alaska's history.
CHAIR GATTO commented that he wonders if a teacher could teach
Alaska history without ever taking a class in Alaska history.
He asked Ms. Thompson how many teachers come from outside of
Alaska to teach.
Number 0564
BARBARA THOMPSON, Director, Teaching and Learning Support,
Department of Education and Early Development, testified on HB
84 and answered questions from the committee. Ms. Thompson said
that her best guess is that 70 percent of the teachers hired in
Alaska come from out of state. The current institutions in
state do not have the capacity to educate enough teachers.
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON asked if teachers are required to take an
Alaska history class before being certified.
MS. THOMPSON agreed with Representative Wilson. Teachers are
required to take two courses, Alaska history or Alaska studies,
and multi-cultural education.
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER clarified that it is her understanding
that new teachers to the state have up to three years to take
those courses, so a teacher could be teaching three years
without taking those courses.
MS. THOMPSON responded that it depends upon the type of
certificate a teacher is working under. New teachers have
probably already taken those courses right out of preparation
programs. If a teacher comes from out of state with a limited
certificate there is a one to two year time period to take those
courses and receive a regular type A teaching certificate.
Number 0507
CHAIR GATTO asked if these courses are part of continuing
education courses required to retain a teaching certificate.
MS. THOMPSON replied yes.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if those two classes would be
adequate training to teach the Alaska history or Alaska studies
classes.
MS. THOMPSON responded that there is really only one class
related to Alaska studies or Alaska history that teachers are
required to take. The other class is a multi-cultural studies
course. She commented that after taking one course in Alaska
studies that a teacher would be prepared to teach Alaska
studies.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON questioned if this is implemented as a
mandated part of the curriculum would the teachers who teach
this course be required to obtain additional education.
Number 0400
MS. THOMPSON replied that would depend on the teacher.
Additional teaching strategies may be needed by some teachers.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON rephrased his question by asking if the 70
percent of teachers who come to Alaska take the Alaska history
or Alaska studies course and the multi-cultural studies course
have enough preparation to teach the course in Alaska history.
MS. THOMPSON replied it would depend upon the teacher. She
reminded the members that the current No Child Left Behind Act
(NCLB) requires that teachers be highly qualified in the subject
with which they teach. So a history teacher would have to be
highly qualified.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if a teacher who is highly qualified
to teach world history or American history also be highly
qualified to teach this course.
Number 0278
MR. SWEENEY responded that NCLB would only require a teacher to
be highly qualified in social studies. It would not even be so
in depth as to require a teacher be highly qualified in just
history. He added that the funding for teacher education is
included. Right now a pilot program is being done with 30
teachers, and next year it will be done with 300 teachers. He
commented that there is the recognition that there will be extra
training required, which is built into the concept of the
course.
Number 0224
REPRESENTATIVE WOLF said he graduated from the Kenai Peninsula
School District 25 years ago. At that time Alaska and local
history was taught. A great deal of it was shared through
storytelling and mentorship from local community members.
CHAIR GATTO asked if Representative Wolf is saying he would
prefer to have a local history course taught rather than history
of the entire state.
REPRESENTATIVE WOLF said his primary concern lies with mandating
the course so he will be supporting Amendment 1.
TAPE 04-19, SIDE A
Number 0050
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER told the members that Amendment 1 would
gut HB 84. She asked Ms. Menzi to speak to local input with
respect to the course.
MS. MENZI told the members that a survey was done in the fall of
all of the school districts and asked them to identify the
materials developed locally and regionally that might be
incorporated into the course. When the design for the course
was done there was an icon for regional history, so students
will be able to access information on specific regions of the
state, she explained. She said that there was a fair response,
but hopes as time goes on more and more information will be
added. Since the course is on CD it will be possible to add
more information as it becomes available.
CHAIR GATTO asked if there are experiences with CDs as a
learning tool.
Number 0187
MS. MENZI responded that there is experience in this area. For
example, she said she was involved in the CD that was on the
retracing of the Harriman Expedition in 2001. That CD was made
available to every school district in the state. It provide
historical information on the voyage 100 years ago and
information on some of the contemporary voyage.
CHAIR GATTO asked if there is experience in using CDs the way
this CD is intended to be used.
MS. MENZI responded that is a new concept. Distance delivered
education has been going on for some time, but the idea of CDs
as the base curriculum is cutting edge, she said. She said that
it is beginning to be done nationwide because textbooks are so
expensive. Ms. Menzi acknowledged that this is an experiment.
Nothing like this has been done in Alaska before.
CHAIR GATTO commented that he wishes that there was some record
of this being successful. He said that he foresees a time when
it may be necessary to use distance delivery to have a highly
qualified teacher somewhere with everyone connecting.
MS. MENZI replied that she would be happy to research that
subject and provide her findings to the members. One of the
models used for this website is Nebraska's studies which has
been doing some of there social studies education through this
website.
Number 0438
REPRESENTATIVE GARA asked if other states' teachers have had
difficulty teaching the classes.
MS. MENZI responded that a social studies teacher would not have
difficulty because they have had a lot of exposure to history.
Most of the social studies endorsed teachers in Alaska have
majored in history, rather than geography or economics, she
commented.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA asked if there will be source materials for
the teachers.
MS. MENZI said there will be a teacher's guide which will have
the resource materials referenced. It will be provided on CD
and in print.
Number 0572
CHAIR GATTO commented that he would suspect that in Kansas, for
example, most of their teachers are hired from within state.
Alaska simply cannot produce the number of teachers needed.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON reiterated that Amendment 1 would solve
the two problems he sees with the bill. It removes the mandate
for the districts who have not adopted Alaska history as a
required subject. He said he also has problems with overriding
the Alaska State Board of Education and this would also address
that.
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Gatto, Wilson,
Wolf, and Seaton voted in favor of Amendment 1. Representatives
Kapsner and Gara voted against it. Therefore, Amendment 1 was
adopted by a vote of 4-2.
REPRESENTATIVE WILSON told the committee that she believes this
is a very worthwhile course requirement; however, this is a very
difficult decision because she does not like mandates.
CHAIR GATTO told the members that he intends to move the bill
out of committee today.
Number 0850
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER reminded Representative Wilson that this
bill will be heard in House Health, Education and Social
Services Standing Committee next and could be amended there. It
has a long way to go before reaching the Department of Education
and Early Development.
Number 0972
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved Amendment 2 as follows:
On page 2, line 16
Delete "2003"
Insert "2004"
There being no objection, Amendment 2 was adopted.
Number 1015
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER moved to report HB 84 out of committee as
amended with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 84(EDU) was
reported out of the House Special Committee on Education.
Number 1045
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Education meeting was adjourned at 12:50
p.m.
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