Legislature(2003 - 2004)
02/07/2003 01:34 PM House FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 07, 2003
1:24 PM
TAPE HFC 03 - 15, Side A
TAPE HFC 03 - 15, Side B
CALL TO ORDER
Vice-Chair Meyer called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:34 PM.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Kevin Meyer, Vice-Chair
Representative Eric Croft
Representative Richard Foster
Representative Mike Hawker
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Carl Moses
Representative Gary Stevens
Representative Bill Stoltze
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative John Harris, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Williams, Co-Chair
Representative Jim Whitaker
ALSO PRESENT
William Tandeske, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety;
Karen Morgan, Director, Division of Administrative Services,
Department of Public Safety; Gretchen A. Pence, Special
Assistant, Department of Public Safety, Department of Public
Safety; Joel Hard, Col., Director, Division of Fish and
Wildlife Protection, Department of Public Safety; Gary
Powell, Director, State Fire Marshall, Department of Public
Safety; Doug Norris, Maj. Deputy Director, Division of
Alaska State Troopers, Department of Public Safety; Susan
Scudder, Director, Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault, Department of Public Safety; Shirley Holloway,
Commissioner, Department of Education and Early Development;
Dr. Ed McLain, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Education
& Early Development; Yvonne Chase, Deputy Commissioner,
Early Education, Department of Education and Early
Development; Karen Rehfeld, Director, Division of Education
Support Services, Department of Education and Early
Development; Kevin Sweeney, Legislative Liaison, Department
of Education and Early Development.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
GENERAL SUBJECT (S):
Agency Overviews:
Department of Public Safety
Department of Education and Early Development
The following overview was taken in log note format. Tapes
and handouts will be on file with the House Finance
Committee through the 23rd Legislative Session, contact 465-
2156. After the 23rd Legislative Session they will be
available through the Legislative Library at 465-3808.
LOG SPEAKER DISCUSSION
TAPE HFC 03 - 15
SIDE A
000 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
239 William Tandeske, Introduced staff. He noted that he was
Commissioner, born in the state and gave a brief
Department of Public personal history. He spent nearly 26-
Safety years as an Alaska State Trooper and
retired a few years ago as a Major and
Deputy Director of the Troopers. He has
lived and worked around the state of
Alaska. He has worked with all aspects of
the Department through the years and has
an extensive background in law
enforcement.
457 Commissioner Explained that loyalty, integrity and
Tandeske courage will be the focus of the
Department.
701 Commissioner "The internal health of this agency is
Tandeske reflected every day by the public face of
the agency - how the people we serve view
the job and us we are doing for them. I
expect every employee of this department
to conduct the daily business of the
department, both internal and public, in
a manner that reflects loyalty to the
ideals and laws we live by, with
integrity that is beyond reproach and
with the courage to do what is right in
the face of adversity."
740 Commissioner Emphasized the need for professionalism,
Tandeske and noted that it is his goal to instill
a sense of pride and professionalism in
every corner of the agency.
813 Commissioner Noted that the need for a positive
Tandeske approach to problem solving.
858 Commissioner Emphasized the need for fairness, both
Tandeske for in the treatment for employees and
for the citizenry they serve. No person
shall be given better or worse treatment
due to any kind of status or condition.
All business, whether internal or
external, shall be conducted in a fair
and honest manner. All decision-making
processes shall be conducted in a fair
and impartial manner and shall be closely
scrutinized and regularly challenged to
insure that they are clearly defensible
959 Commissioner Stressed the need to remember those that
Tandeske serve at the lowest levels of the
organization.
1120 Commissioner Reviewed activities of the department:
Tandeske Violent Crimes Compensation Board,
Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault, Public Safety Academy, Alaska
Police Standards Council, Scientific
Crime Detection Laboratory and emphasized
their importance.
1359 Commissioner Referred to the Administrative Services
Tandeske Division and stressed that their function
has continued to grow.
1459 Commissioner Discussed the Division of Fire
Tandeske Prevention: Fire Service training, and
prevention offices. FY02 was the lowest
year for deaths by fire (9 deaths).
1636 Commissioner Reviewed the Division of Fish and
Tandeske Wildlife Protection. He observed that
many come to Alaska because of the fish
and game resources. The sport fishing
economy in Alaska is $700 million dollars
and the wildlife economy is worth $200
million dollars.
1825 Commissioner Emphasized the search and rescue function
Tandeske of the department.
1842 Commissioner Observed that the Division of Alaska
Tandeske State Troopers offers statewide services.
Pointed out that there are challenges in
the state of Alaska due to the size of
the state and weather conditions in
Alaska as compared to other states.
2128 Commissioner Observed that there are special demands
Tandeske that tax resources: some are annual
events such as fairs and concerts, which
require the department to be proactive.
2215 Commissioner Observed that homeland security
Tandeske activities are being developed.
2244 Commissioner Emphasized the importance of drug and
Tandeske alcohol enforcement.
2328 Commissioner Summarized that the Department's mission
Tandeske is varied.
2358 Vice-Chair Meyer Noted that the Department of Public
Safety is sometimes taken for granted,
but stressed the magnitude of their work.
He gave his respect for the work of the
department.
2522 Representative Observed that it had been a rough year
Stoltze for the Alaska State Troopers in regards
to the loss of some of its members.
2649 Representative Acknowledged the participation of the
Foster department in rural Alaska.
2278 Representative Referred to concerns regarding the need
Hawker for additional statute to allow the Crime
Laboratory to utilize DNR materials.
Commissioner Tandeske was unable to
respond to the question. He stressed that
the crime laboratory is a vital asset for
the state.
2827 Representative Questioned the fire risk of beetle-killed
Hawker trees.
2931 Gary Powell, Responded that the Department has worked
Director, State Fire with a number of groups to address the
Marshall, Department problem of beetle kill. He suggested that
of Public Safety more work could be done with the
combination of state, local and federal
funds.
3057 Representative Referred to the Academy. He questioned
Stevens future plans for the facility.
3136 Commissioner Assured members that the Academy would
Tandeske figure prominently in the department's
plans and that it would remain an active
training facility.
3221 Representative Croft Questioned if it would be irresponsible
to propose a 5 - 10 percent cut to the
department.
3253 Commissioner Stated that he would always advocate more
Tandeske resources. He noted that he had not had
an opportunity to look at the impact of
reductions.
3401
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY
DEVELOPMENT
3431 Shirley Holloway, Introduced staff. She noted that the
Commissioner, department's mission is to support the
Department of development of lifelong learners. There
Education and Early are six goals to achieve this mission.
Development
3605 Commissioner 1. To have culturally and
Holloway developmentally appropriate high
quality early care and education
programs that improve the well
being of young children statewide,
ages 0-4, in which children,
families, and communities are
active partners;
2. To have clear, rigorous, credible
student standards and assessments;
3. To have a credible system of
academic and fiscal accountability
for students, professionals,
schools, and districts;
4. To have highly qualified school
professionals who have met rigorous
and credible standards and
assessments;
5. To have schools in which students,
staff, families, business, and
communities are active partners in
learning; and
6. To have an adequate, stable and
secure source of funding for
schools.
3613 Commissioner In the current year, the department has
Holloway approximately 419 full time and 116 part-
time positions in its 7 divisions and 4
commissions. Offices are located in five
Alaska communities with the main presence
in Juneau and Anchorage.
3721 Commissioner The seven-member State Board of Education
Holloway & Early Development is the head of the
agency. In addition, there are three
advisory members: one military and two
student representatives. The governor,
subject to legislative confirmation,
appoints the state board members. The
state board, subject to approval by the
governor, appoints the commissioner. The
board establishes statewide goals and
education policy through adopting
regulations to implement education laws.
3798 Commissioner The Department of Education & Early
Holloway Development is responsible for funding
and regulating the state's K-12 schools
as well as administering school debt
reimbursement, grants for school
construction and major maintenance, and a
comprehensive system of early care and
learning.
3814 Commissioner Independent commissions reporting through
Holloway the department include the Professional
Teaching Practices Commission, the Alaska
State Council on the Arts, the Alaska
State Community Service Commission, and
the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary
Education.
3834 Commissioner The Department of Education & Early
Holloway Development's FY 2003 operating budget is
$1,069,263,000 including about $769
million from general funds, $179 million
from federal funds, and the balance from
other funding sources. Ninety-four
percent of the total agency budget, and
96% of the department's general fund
budget, is allocated through grants to
school districts, non-profit
organizations and individuals across the
state. The chart on page 4 is a snap shot
of the department's current year budget:
3911 Commissioner Observed that there is a commitment to
Holloway accountability. The public education
conversation has substantially changed.
The discussion is how well are students
learning.
3951 Commissioner Reviewed the journey of school reform,
Holloway which began in 1991 when standards were
introduced.
In 1996, the Department of Education
refined its school reform plan to include
four major components:
1. High student academic standards
and assessments;
2. Quality professional standards;
3. Family, school, university,
business and community networks;
and
4.School excellence standards.
4137 Commissioner In 1997 the legislature passed the High
Holloway School Graduation Qualifying Examination.
4156 Commissioner Profile of students entering school in
Holloway relationship to the student's strength
and the areas of their needs. Families
are included in discussions.
4235 Commissioner In 1998 the legislature passed a complete
Holloway system of school accountability
requiring:
1. State reading, writing and math
student performance standards;
2. Benchmark exams at grades 3, 6
and 8 to measure student progress
against the standards;
3. Each school to make public a
report card that tells parents
about student progress and other
information about the performance
of the school;
4. A state-adopted ranking program
to designate each school as
distinguished, successful,
deficient and in crisis; and
5. A developmental profile on all
entering kindergarten and first
grade students.
• The legislature created a quality
school grant program -- and later, a
learning opportunity grant program -- to
help students meet the goals of the
accountability system.
4242 Commissioner In January 2002, Congress passed the No
Holloway Child Left Behind Act, the most sweeping
school reform act in our nation's
history. Some have reacted negatively.
The reason for the law is that across the
nation the top third students are doing
well, the middle third are okay but the
bottom third have been failed.
4241 Commissioner The essential components of the No Child
Holloway Left Behind Act include:
1. An aligned system of academic
content standards, academic student
achievement, standards, and assessments
of student performance;
2. Annual assessments of student
progress in attaining the student
academic achievement standards;
4357 Commissioner 3. School, district, and State
Holloway accountability decisions based on the
performance of specific subgroups of
students designed to ensure that all
students are proficient in reading or
language arts and mathematics by 20 13-
14; and
4428 Commissioner 4. A system of rewards and required,
Holloway progressive sanctions to encourage and
support high-and low-performing schools.
4522 Commissioner Governor Murkowski and his Administration
Holloway have embraced NCLB and its promising
goals and he has pledged to achieve those
goals.
• The promise of "No Child Left Behind" -
- though stated differently --is the same
goal Alaska has expressed in its own
school reform plan for a dozen years.
She noted that the plan requires
assessments and report cards. She
emphasized that students need to make
progress.
4620 Commissioner NCLB and the state's school reform plan
Holloway have some similarities. Both require:
1. Performance standards for students
in core academic areas;
2. Assessments to measure whether
students are meeting standards. NCLB
requires assessments in grades 3 through
8 and a high school exam. The state
system required assessments in grades 3,
6, 8 and high school;
3. School report cards;
4. A school designator system;
5. Quality instructional staff; and
6. Partnerships between schools,
parents, communities and businesses.
TAPE HFC 03 - 15,
Side B
4643 Commissioner Explained that low scoring students were
Holloway not identified when scores were averaged.
NCLB differs most from our state
accountability system because NCLB has
greater consequences for schools whose
students do not perform well on state
exams.
• NCLB requires showing achievement
in 10 different subgroups: 1) the
school as a whole; 2) white; 3)
black; 4) Native American; 5)
Asian/Pacific Islander; 6)
Hispanic; 7) Alaska Native;
8)limited English proficient; 9)
students with disabilities; and 10)
low economic status.
• NCLB requires schools to show
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in
each and every subgroup. A school
that fails to meet AYP in any one
subgroup is placed in the same
improvement status as a school that
fails to make AYP for all 10
subgroups.
4607 Commissioner Explained that schools that do not meet
Holloway AYP two years in a row in any one of the
10 subgroups go into "school improvement
status." Such schools need to provide
parents with a choice of schools and/or
supplemental services. The federal
government is granting Alaska an
allowance for small and remote schools
that cannot practically offer a choice of
another school.
4544 Commissioner Added that the federal government is
Holloway offering an allowance for small schools.
4524 Commissioner Schools that continue on school
Holloway improvement status for two years and
beyond face increasing sanctions,
including taking immediate corrective
action. Schools that stay on improvement
status for four and five years eventually
must plan and reconstitute the
administration of the school.
Reconstitution includes such action as
forming a charter school and replacing
school leadership and staff.
4456 Commissioner In addition to the differences in
Holloway accountability approaches between NCLB
and the Alaska system, NCLB impacts the
decision-making for parents of schools
designated for school improvement.
4431 Commissioner Explained that Alaska is working to blend
Holloway the state school improvement system with
NCLB because Alaska desires, and NCLB
requires, a single system of state
accountability.
4403 Commissioner On January 31, 2003 Alaska submitted its
Holloway Alaska Consolidated State Application
Accountability Workbook, January 2003,
which proposes how Alaska will implement
NCLB in the state of Alaska.
4349 Commissioner Alaska and the federal government now
Holloway will work to approve Alaska's plan by May
1, 2003 through a federal process called
"peer review." The peer review team will
visit the Alaska Department of Education
& Early Development on March 12, 2003.
4325 Commissioner Administration has made it clear that the
Holloway state of Alaska wants to meet the desired
outcomes of "no child left behind".
However, there are difficulties in Alaska
due to the number of small schools in the
state.
4138 Commissioner Observed that the department submitted a
Holloway plan for a comprehensive system of
student assessment and accountability to
the U. S. Department of Education January
31, 2003.
4128 Commissioner Added that a peer review team made up of
Holloway representatives from the U. S. Department
of Education and other educators will
visit Alaska on March 12 to review and
finalize this plan. It will review:
• Benchmark and norm-referenced
assessments in reading, writing, and
mathematics for grades 3-9, and a High
School Graduation Qualifying
Examination beginning at grade 10.
• A developmental profile instruments for
children entering school at either
kindergarten or first grade.
4013 Commissioner Noted that the department had begun the
Holloway process for developing and selecting an
annual English language proficiency test
for English Language Learners (ELL)
students. She discussed the school
designator system.
4003 Commissioner Observed that they had refocused and
Holloway refined the High School Graduation
Qualifying Examination, in line with the
requirements of SB 133 to test essential
skills.
3950 Commissioner Developed alternate and optional
Holloway assessments for students with
disabilities.
3927 Commissioner Discussed early learning and noted that
Holloway research tells that it is successful.
3901 Commissioner Noted that efforts in early development
Holloway have increased the safety of children in
early childhood programs; enhanced the
quality through higher standards,
specific training, and educational
requirements; and provided technical
assistance to these programs.
3818 Commissioner Spoke to the challenge of attitude. She
Holloway emphasized the need to get rid of the
excuses for why a child cannot learn. "We
must believe that all children can
learn."
3733 Commissioner Noted the need for a single,
Holloway comprehensive system of assessment and
accountability, including criteria for
meeting Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).
3729 Commissioner Discussed technical assistance and
Holloway support for schools or districts
identified under Title I School
Improvement provisions. Emphasized that
it would do not good to designate schools
if we do not help them get better.
3657 Commissioner Reviewed a new district compliance
Holloway monitoring system based on provisions of
NCLB. Alaska is a local control state.
Many of the requirements expect the
Department of Education and Early
Development to take on a new role.
3618 Commissioner Spoke to new policies and procedures for
Holloway all teachers and paraprofessionals to
adhere to in order to become "highly
qualified" as defined by NCLB.
3609 Commissioner Discussed criteria to apply to schools to
Holloway determine if they are "persistently
dangerous."
3554 Commissioner Reviewed supplemental service providers.
Holloway
3533 Commissioner Stressed the need to work with district
Holloway staff on strategies. Reading is central.
3507 Commissioner Provided a summary of key issues: How to
Holloway implement? Work with school district
staff to develop strategies that will
provide all students with opportunities
to learn and read state standards at the
appropriate age/grade levels.
3422 Commissioner • Provide training and assistance on the
Holloway requirements of state law and
regulations and the federal No Child
Left Behind Act.
• Develop Alternate assessments for
grades 4, 5, 7, and 9.
• Development of science performance
standards by the end of 2005-2006.
• Development of a statewide science
assessment based on state standards by
the end of 2007-2008.
• Development or selection of an annual
assessment of English language
proficiency for English Language
Learners (ELL).
• Administration of test security and
assessment administration training,
annually.
• Compiling and reporting student
assessment and school report card
information, annually.
• Refocusing and aligning the Benchmark
assessments in reading, writing, and
mathematics with the High School
Graduation Qualifying Exam.
• Establish district-monitoring systems
to comply with requirements of NCLB
3349 Commissioner Discussed key issues facing the
Holloway department: Implementation of the No
Child Left Behind initiative,
Comprehensive Statewide Assessment
system, School Accountability/designator
system, teacher preparation, recruitment,
retention, and public school funding.
3337 Commissioner Reviewed access to and the quality of
Holloway early care and learning programs.
3323 Commissioner Observed that the department faces a
Holloway tough road and emphasized that
partnership would help all.
3304 Commissioner Noted that there are many stars in the
Holloway ranks of teachers, principles,
superintendents, support staff, childcare
and preschool teachers.
3217 Vice-Chair Meyer Referred to teacher shortages and
questioned the extent of the problem.
3137 Commissioner Noted that the recruitment and retention
Holloway grant has made some headway. There is a
new web site: Alaskateacher.org, which is
helping districts to advertise openings.
Five Alaska Native teachers are working
on a program to help link outside
teachers to their communities.
3014 Dr. Ed McLain, Further discussed the grant, which was $2
Deputy Commissioner, million dollars for a rural practicum to
Department of support student teachers. The grant
Education & Early includes mentoring to support new
Development teachers and is a one-stop contact in the
department.
2904 Commissioner Added that there was also a federal
Holloway grant.
2847 Representative Asked the status of home school
Stoltze regulations.
2818 Commissioner Noted that the department does not
Holloway regulate home schooling. The department
does have a correspondence study
curriculum.
2729 Representative Joule Expressed the belief that children can
learn regardless of their background, but
pointed out the issue of equality and
questioned how to achieve education where
there is no or little economy.
2630 Commissioner Acknowledged that how to make public
Holloway education in small villages relevant is a
large issue and suggested the need to tie
learning to the culture. She added that
there are arguments as to what can be
delivered in the villages.
2530 Representative Joule Observed that it is difficult to tie
education to the culture with
standardized testing. He questioned if
bilingual education schools could
contract services for education.
2424 Commissioner Responded that the department could not
Holloway find any thing that prohibits a
contractual relationship with tribal
entities to provide education. She felt
that it would be worth exploring.
2336 Representative Joule Referred to recruiting, training and
growing teachers. He questioned where
Alaska is in terms of pay.
2312 Commissioner Did not know exact ranking, but
Holloway summarized that Alaska has lost its
competitive edge.
2247 Representative Observed that education is undergoing a
Stevens great deal of change. He expressed
concern with the transitional period
between governors. He pointed out that
education must rise beyond politics. He
asked if the state is transitioning
smoothly so that children will not pay
the price.
2105 Commissioner Felt that the transition had been
Holloway positive. She thanked the Committee for
the opportunity to discuss the history
and the need to "stay the course". She
emphasized that there will be some need
for corrective action. The Governor
supports the "no child left behind"
approach and understands the bipartisan
work that has been done.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 2:45 PM
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|