Legislature(1995 - 1996)
02/21/1996 09:06 AM House HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
JOINT HOUSE & SENATE HEALTH, EDUCATION
AND SOCIAL SERVICES
February 21, 1996
9:06 a.m.
HOUSE MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Cynthia Toohey, Co-Chair
Representative Con Bunde, Co-Chair
Representative Gary Davis
Representative Norman Rokeberg
Representative Tom Brice
Representative Caren Robinson
HOUSE MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Al Vezey
SENATE MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyda Green, Chairman
Senator Loren Leman, Vice-Chairman
Senator Mike Miller
Senator Johnny Ellis
Senator Judy Salo
SENATE MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
Confirmation: State Board of Education, Susan Stitham
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 96-11, SIDE A
Confirmation: State Board of Education, Susan Stitham
CHAIRMAN GREEN called the Joint House & Senate Health, Education
and Social Services (HESS) Committee to order at 9:06 a.m. and
informed the committee that the consideration of Susan Stitham to
the State Board of Education was the only item before the
committee. She invited Ms. Stitham to the table.
Number 018
SUSAN STITHAM informed the committee that an addendum should be
attached to her resume. She has been working with the board since
September. Ms. Stitham specified the following areas making up the
State Board of Education agenda: the foundation formula, teacher
and student standards, assessments of those standards, Alaska
Native Student learning, parental involvement, and a common agenda
between the Board of Regents and the Board of Education. A
subcommittee consisting of three members of the Board of Regents
and three members of the Board of Education are attempting to
establish a common agenda for education. The subcommittee wants to
consolidate resources.
Number 073
REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY informed the committee of an article in
Newsweek discussing the brains of children. This article
illustrated that the functional basis of the brain is established
between birth and the age of five. This knowledge should be
considered in our educational system. Representative Toohey said
that without that basis, the effort after five years of age is
pointless.
SUSAN STITHAM did not believe that the work with children after
five years of age was pointless, although, it may be more work.
REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY illustrated her point with the following
example: a child born with cataracts that does not get those
cataracts cleared until after five years of age would be blind
because the synapses were not formed in those critical years. The
same can be said for the brain. Without utilizing those early
years, the brain will not function at its peak.
SUSAN STITHAM agreed that the early years are the most important.
Number 103
REPRESENTATIVE BUNDE believed that kindergarten teachers are the
most important teachers and therefore, should be paid more. SUSAN
STITHAM agreed.
CHAIRMAN GREEN asked if Ms. Stitham viewed the Board of Regents and
Board of Education subcommittee as an opportunity to make some
headway in the university offering classes to accommodate the ever
changing educational environment. SUSAN STITHAM stated that the
subcommittee had developed two priorities: the preparation of
students for the university - particularly, Native Alaskan
students; and the preparation of teachers. Ms. Stitham believed
that the teacher standards adopted by previous state boards and
regulations are a basis for the changing educational environment.
A group is working on that now. Never before have student and
teacher standards been agreed upon.
REPRESENTATIVE BUNDE inquired as to Ms. Stitham's opinion regarding
whether a certificate of attendance rather than a diploma should be
issued to those who are illiterate when they leave high school.
SUSAN STITHAM indicated that perhaps, different types of diplomas
would be appropriate. New York State has had a Regents Diploma for
years. Ms. Stitham emphasized that focusing on the standards in
all grade levels is very important. Those standards effect what
employers want. Ms. Stitham pointed out that English is really a
vocation because most jobs require these skills. Children are
being prepared for choices later in life and no matter if they go
directly to the university or work, they are all learners.
Number 168
REPRESENTATIVE BUNDE agreed with the establishment of standards for
students, but what about those students who do not follow the
required standards. SUSAN STITHAM said that those students should
be provided with other opportunities. Today, more is known about
how to help children learn and illustrate what they have learned.
In discussion with Senator Leman, Ms. Stitham discovered that the
addendum to her resume had a typo. The 1993 Interior Aids
Association Award for Promoting AIDS should have the word
"Awareness" at the end.
SENATOR LEMAN noted that Ms. Stitham had been in Alaska's
educational system for almost 30 years. Do you have any
suggestions to decrease the cost of education while delivering a
quality education? This is imperative in the wake of all the
budget reductions.
SUSAN STITHAM identified the following issues: can quality
education be delivered at a reduced cost and where will the money
come from to pay for the education? She was unsure of a manner in
which to achieve a reduction in the cost of education. However,
education money could be utilized differently. For example,
research illustrates that early on small class size is very
important which is expensive when professionals are utilized. She
suggested that adults, not necessarily licensed teachers, could be
utilized in the classroom. She recognized that using adults would
not necessarily be cheaper, but it could achieve the goal in a
different manner. Some schools do not have counselors because the
ratio of student to teacher is such that the teacher can work with
the student on that basis.
Number 235
SENATOR LEMAN encouraged Ms. Stitham and the board to tackle this
issue. He agreed with Ms. Stitham that "thinking outside the box"
is necessary.
REPRESENTATIVE BUNDE pointed out that 65 percent of the public that
does not have a child in school are frustrated with the education
product and its cost. Their frustration could be eliminated by
improving the product, decreasing the cost, or both. Personally,
Representative Bunde said that he would be more satisfied if the
product was better, the cost would be secondary. He informed
everyone that the board had attempted to rewrite the foundation
formula, but as it drew close to completion the board quit. He
asked Ms. Stitham of her intentions regarding the foundation
formula.
SUSAN STITHAM stressed that there is a commitment to rewriting the
foundation formula. The board is not backing away. This year,
some minimals were brought to the legislature in order to comply
with federal requirements. She noted that there is a meeting on
this today. She was sure that there would be recommendations
brought forth next year.
Ms. Stitham agreed with Representative Bunde regarding the
frustration with the education product. However, national surveys
in Alaska contend that on an individual basis, individuals believe
that their child is getting a good education and that their school
is doing a good job. Those individuals are concerned about others.
She estimated that 25-30 percent of the children are receiving a
good education. The remaining children are of great concern. Ms.
Stitham did not believe that current knowledge was being used to
reach discouraged learners, indifferent learners, or those who have
different goals. The children reflect the world in which they
live.
REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY encouraged concentrating on children from
birth to age four.
CHAIRMAN GREEN said that the report would be forwarded for the
appropriate action. There being no further business before the
committee, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 a.m.
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