04/08/2022 09:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s) | |
| SB157 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | SB 157 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 8, 2022
9:06 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Roger Holland, Chair
Senator Gary Stevens, Vice Chair
Senator Shelley Hughes
Senator Peter Micciche
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Tom Begich
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Emma Melkerson Kivalina
Adam Reid Anchorage
Lem Wheeles - Anchorage
Deborah Riddle - Juneau
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
SENATE BILL NO. 157
"An Act relating to health and personal safety education; and
providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 157
SHORT TITLE: HEALTH AND PERSONAL SAFETY EDUCATION
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) GRAY-JACKSON
01/18/22 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/22
01/18/22 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/18/22 (S) EDC, HSS
04/08/22 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
EMMA MELKERSON, Appointee
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Kivalina, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the governor's appointee to the
Professional Teaching Practices Commission.
ADAM REID, Appointee
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the governor's appointee to the
Professional Teaching Practices Commission.
LEM WHEELES, Appointee
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the governor's appointee to the
Professional Teaching Practices Commission.
DEBORAH RIDDLE, Appointee
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the governor's appointee to the
Professional Teaching Practices Commission.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 157.
BESSE ODOM, Staff
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the sectional analysis for SB 157.
ROSE OHARA JOLLEY, Director
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Alaska (PPAA)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony in support of SB
157.
JAYNE ANDREEN, President
Alaska Public Health Association
Douglas, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony in support of SB
157.
HANNAH GUZZI, Education Manager - Alaska and Hawai'i
Planned Parenthood Great Northwest
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony in support of SB
157.
ACTION NARRATIVE
9:06:59 AM
CHAIR ROGER HOLLAND called the Senate Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 9:06 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Hughes, Stevens, and Chair Holland. Senator
Micciche arrived shortly thereafter.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
9:07:42 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND announced the consideration of governor appointees
to the Professional Teaching Practices Commission.
9:08:47 AM
SENATOR MICCICHE joined the meeting.
9:09:02 AM
EMMA MELKERSON, Appointee, Professional Teaching Practices
Commission, Department of Education and Early Development
(DEED), Kivalina, Alaska, provided her background. She stated
that she began teaching K-1 students at McQueen School, [also
known as Atautchikun Inuunialikun] after graduating from Central
Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington. She said she
had been teaching in Kivalina for 11 years. She offered her
belief that she would be an excellent addition to the commission
because she believes that education should be viewed through a
teacher's eyes and that teachers should be held to the highest
standards. She would like people to respect the teaching
profession.
SENATOR STEVENS asked what she was doing to help ensure that
students would become good citizens and what the legislature
could do.
9:10:49 AM
MS. MELKERSON responded that she teaches five and six-year-old
students in an Alaskan village, so teaching civics was limited.
She said she tries to share the world around them. These young
students don't understand that the world is bigger than their
village, so she wants them to gain a perspective about the world
and their place in it. She stated that she uses children's
literature to share their culture, other people's cultures, and
holidays.
9:11:48 AM
SENATOR STEVENS said he appreciates the work K-1 teachers
perform. He related that he observed a K-1 classroom recently
and he found it took a lot of energy just observing the
classroom.
9:12:08 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND asked how many students were in her classroom.
MS. MELKERSON responded that she has six first-grade students
and nine kindergarten students in her classroom. She said she
averages between 12 and 16 students per day, depending on their
attendance.
9:12:45 AM
SENATOR HUGHES noted that she was one of the success stories in
rural Alaska. She asked for any insights into teacher retention
since she remained in the village. She said one goal was to help
bring respect to teachers. She commented that the teaching
profession was traditionally well-respected, but that has
changed over time. She related remarks at high-school graduation
she had attended. When the graduates indicated they planned to
go into nursing, people were excited for them, but when
graduates suggested they wanted to become teachers, the reaction
was subdued. She acknowledged that teaching was much more
challenging. She wondered what she would do to help spur greater
respect for the teaching profession or suggestions for teacher
retention.
9:14:21 AM
MS. MELKERSON responded that both she and her brother are
educators. She also experienced negative reactions; when she
graduated from high school and told people she wanted to be a
teacher, they gave her funny looks. She offered her view that
the press tended to highlight unsuccessful schools and teachers.
She stated that bad press could be countered if people would
shine a positive light on educators more often and share all the
wonderful things that teachers do in their classrooms every day.
She suggested that highlighting more positive stories could
outweigh the negative press.
9:15:53 AM
MS. MELKERSON agreed that teacher retention was difficult. She
related that when she moved to Kivalina at 21, she told herself
she would be part of the community. When she arrived in August,
it was so light outside that she couldn't sleep, so she went for
a walk at 10 pm. She encountered several middle-school kids who
told her she might as well get back on the plane because all of
their teachers leave the village by Christmas. She indicated
that their comments broke her heart and she decided to prove
them wrong. She expressed gratitude that the community allowed
her to be as engaged as she wished by welcoming her, and that
attitude cemented her relationships. She indicated that she
loves her kids and community and could not imagine leaving
Kivalina.
9:17:08 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND asked where she lived prior to moving to Kivalina.
MS. MELKERSON stated that she grew up as a military "brat" and
traveled around with her family until her dad retired in Tacoma.
She said she was primarily raised in Tacoma and attended Central
Washington University in Ellensburg. She noted that she had
never been away from home when she flew into Kivalina to teach.
9:18:53 AM
ADAM REID, Appointee, Professional Teaching Practices
Commission, Department of Education and Early Development
(DEED), Anchorage, Alaska, provided his background. He stated
that he worked as the horticultural and science instructor at
King Tech, formerly the King Career Center, for the first 20
years of his career. He noted that he recently transitioned to
the Anchorage School District (ASD) Virtual Program. He said he
grew up in Iowa; his father was the head of security at the
prison, and his mother taught in the prison system. He related
that he graduated from a rural high school in Iowa and continued
his education and basketball career at Creighton University in
Omaha, Nebraska. He moved to Anchorage after graduation. He and
his wife have three children who graduated or attended public
schools.
9:20:20 AM
MR. REID offered his belief that he would bring his community
service to the board. He reviewed his community service, noting
that he served at King Tech as a department chair, as part of
their AdvancED Accreditation Team when King Tech transitioned
into a fully-accredited high school and was a leader for the
Capturing Kids Hearts process, and on their literacy team. He
said he currently serves on the [Anchorage Youth Soccer Club].
He previously served on the Anchorage Hockey Association and the
Alaska Youth Soccer Association statewide. He indicated that his
community service had prepared him to work with other
commissioners and to impartially review each case, ask
questions, thoroughly review each case on its own merits, and
ensure that all participants were given due process. He
indicated that he would like to serve the state and the teaching
profession by serving on the PTPC. He emphasized the need to
provide students with professional educators and an outlet for
Alaskans to participate in the process of protecting students'
right to the best education. He indicated that he would like to
continue to serve on the PTPC.
9:21:35 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND noted this was not his first appointment to the
Professional Teaching Practices Commission.
MR. REID answered that this was his second term.
9:21:59 AM
SENATOR STEVENS asked if he had comments on civics education,
including what was being done, what should be done, and how to
make it better.
9:22:14 AM
MR. REID related that during his first 20 years of teaching, he
taught a diverse group of kids from different backgrounds. He
emphasized that he does not share who he voted for with his
children or students because he wants them to be critical
thinkers. He explained how difficult it was for students to
research and discern good from bad information because so much
information is available on the internet. He said he tries to
instill in his students the importance of involvement in local
elections and giving back to their community by serving. He
characterized the importance of school board elections, noting
that local elections can have the biggest impact on student's
lives.
9:25:01 AM
SENATOR HUGHES stated that the PTPC was empowered to impose
sanctions against the certificates of educators who engage in
illegal, immoral, or unethical conduct. She wondered whether he
had observed any trends or problems. She asked whether young
teachers had a good understanding of what was okay or if he had
observed any gaps or things of concern.
MR. REID answered that it seemed to him that the commission saw
fewer cases. He attributed this to the executive director, who
had done considerable outreach to school districts, new school
administrators, and teachers. He noted that teachers also have
significant training, and the districts provide training. He
related a scenario where the school administrator indicated that
someone had reported him having lunch with a female student in
the cafeteria. It turned out that he was having lunch with his
wife.
MR. REID pointed out that the commission primarily heard cases
related to a breach of contract. He noted that school districts
have teachers sign their contracts earlier. He indicated that
the ASD renews their contracts automatically, but many districts
require their teachers to sign contracts yearly. Some teachers
sign contracts in January or February for the following school
year. He related a scenario where a teacher might sign a
contract for a Mat-Su teaching position in January. Then their
dream job position in their home community of Sitka opens up. If
the teacher does not get approval to cancel their contract and
take the job in Sitka, it is considered a breach of contract. He
stated that PTPC had struggled with the penalty of a one-year
suspension for breach of contract. He related that
administrators want to ensure they can fill their teaching
positions, and teachers want the flexibility to transfer to a
job they feel suits them better. During COVID-19, teachers
resigned, and the districts did not appear to submit those names
to the commission. He commented that it is tied to teacher
retention because teachers are happier if they have the right to
choose. He thanked members for the opportunity to come before
the committee.
9:31:25 AM
LEM WHEELES, Appointee, Professional Teaching Practices
Commission, Department of Education and Early Development
(DEED), Anchorage, Alaska, provided his background. He said he
was raised in Anchorage, graduated from Dimond High School, and
earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of
Arts in Teaching from the University of Anchorage. He stated
that he taught social studies at Dimond High School for 18
years, including World History, US History, Alaska Studies, AP
Comparative Government, and currently AP US Government, AP US
History, US Government, and Student Government. He commented
that he also taught online courses for the Anchorage School
District for over a decade. In addition to teaching, he assisted
the Anchorage School District during the transition to online
learning due to the pandemic. He stated that he also trained
teachers to use their online learning management system.
9:32:43 AM
MR. WHEELES highlighted that he was recognized as the 2018
Alaska History Teacher of the Year, the Alaska World Affairs
Council Teacher of the Year in 2010, and the Model United
Nations of Alaska Advisor of the Year in 2011 and 2017.
MR. WHEELES noted that in addition to the courses he teaches, he
provides opportunities for students to develop their interests
and leadership skills as the sponsor of Model United Nations
Club and Christian Club. He indicated that he served as the
Student Government Advisor for 12 years. Under his leadership,
Dimond Student Government was awarded the National Student
Councils' National Gold Council of Excellence Award in 2018-
2021. Dimond High School is the only school in the state to hold
this top national distinction. He said he currently serves as
the ASD Student Advisory Board Advisor, the Election Chair for
the Anchorage Education Association, and the Parliamentarian for
the NEA-Alaska Delegate Assembly. He further stated that he had
participated in numerous ASD committees and task forces.
9:33:36 AM
MR. WHEELES stated that he currently serves as a Subject Matter
Expert for the US Census Bureau, Statistics in Schools Program,
and is currently a Statistics and Schools Ambassador, helping to
promote the census to educators and students. He presently
serves on the Bill of Rights Institute Teacher Council.
9:33:59 AM
MR. WHEELES related that he had been married for 20 years and
had two daughters attending ASD public schools.
9:34:28 AM
MR. WHEELES related his interest in serving on the Professional
Teaching Practices Commission. He stated that his mission as an
educator was to inspire all his students to be engaged citizens.
He said he empowers his students to be politically active by
teaching them about their government and its history and
providing them with opportunities to engage with their
government. He indicated that he had hosted a sitting governor,
Congressional members, legislative members, US ambassadors, and
foreign consuls in his classroom. He remarked that his students
have taken what they have learned and applied them as campaign
volunteers, legislative and Congressional staffers, delegates to
United Nations conferences, and candidates for public office. He
stated that his ultimate objective was to challenge his students
to not just learn about their government but to be an active
part of it. He noted that he visited three former students who
were working for the legislature.
9:35:18 AM
MR. WHEELES stated that students often ask about his political
views, and he tells them he does not share his personal
political views with students because it would be unethical for
him to do so. He indicated that he wants his students to form
political opinions and be able to articulate the reasons for
them. He highlighted that he teaches his students about various
political beliefs and ideologies, so they can form an educated
opinion and engage in civic discourse with each other.
9:35:46 AM
MR. WHEELES noted that Senate Education Committee members come
from different political parties and have a variety of political
beliefs. Yet, the committee meets regularly, respects one
another, and engages in thoughtful discourse to do what is best
for Alaska. He stated that his goal as a teacher was to prepare
his students for those conversations in their homes, social
media, workplaces, or legislature.
9:36:08 AM
MR. WHEELES stated that his goal as a teacher leader and PTPC
member was to hold his colleagues to the highest standards. He
related that he had served on the commission for the past three
years and is currently Chair of the commission. During his time
on the commission, he advocated for reminders via the PTPC
newsletter to educators about the appropriate ways to handle
politics in the classroom. He had advised colleagues on the
proper way to handle those subjects.
9:36:38 AM
MR. WHEELES stated that he had advised students and parents when
they believed a teacher had crossed the line and pushed a
particular political view. He highlighted that his goal was to
be proactive and address those issues before they rose to the
level of a complaint before the commission. However, if
complaints reach the PTPC, he is prepared to react
appropriately. As a quasi-judicial body, the PTPC is asked to
adjudicate complaints against certain certificated educators,
including teachers, counselors, principals, and school
superintendents.
MR. WHEELES stated that he appreciated that the legislature
created the commission over 50 years ago so that educators could
hold their colleagues accountable and allow them to be judged by
a jury of their peers. When he teaches about the importance of
jury duty, he lets students that they might be able to avoid
jury duty but to think about whether they would want to be
judged by the people who were left if they were ever accused of
a crime. He suggested that if he were the subject of a complaint
to the PTPC, he would like to be judged by his peers because
they would have a good grasp of what it means to be an educator
in 2022.
9:37:52 AM
MR. WHEELES related that the Professional Teaching Practices
Commission (PTPC) was comprised of five teachers, a principal, a
superintendent, a representative from higher education, and a
representative from the Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED). He characterized the commission as a group
of educational professionals who understand the challenges of
being an educator and want public education to be esteemed
throughout Alaska. As a body, PTPC works to promote professional
and ethical behavior by all Alaskan educators through proactive
education, outreach, and responding to complaints when a
violation has occurred. He noted that the added stress placed on
educators during the pandemic led to what some coined "the great
teacher resignation," which has serious implications for the
schools, districts, families, and students of Alaska. If
educators leave their positions mid-year without being released
by their districts, they are in breach of contract and subject
to a one-year suspension of their teaching certificate.
9:38:52 AM
MR. WHEELES stated that the commission must ensure that all
educators are familiar with the professional teaching code of
ethics and the potential consequences for violations of it. As a
PTPC member, he vowed to continue to increase the commission's
outreach efforts to ensure that all educators are familiar with
the code of ethics and understand what it means for their
professional practice, especially in these unprecedented times.
He offered his belief that as a lifelong Alaskan and a career
educator with connections throughout the state, he was an ideal
nominee for continued service on PTPC. He offered his view that
he was well-informed on current education issues in Alaska and
was respected by educators throughout Alaska.
9:39:43 AM
SENATOR STEVENS thanked Mr. Wheeles for previously testifying
before the committee on issues. He commended him on his ability
to encourage students to become good citizens.
9:40:03 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND remarked on his impressive resume and his
leadership roles.
9:40:46 AM
DEBORAH RIDDLE, Appointee, Professional Teaching Practices
Commission, Department of Education and Early Development
(DEED), Juneau, Alaska, stated that she was the Operations
Manager for the Division of Innovation and Education Excellence
at DEED. She provided her background: she was born in Glenallen,
graduated from high school in Bristol Bay, earned a Bachelor of
Science (B.S.) in Elementary Education from Oregon State
University, and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership
(M.Ed. Educational Leadership) from Montana State University.
She worked as a substitute teacher and had three children who
were born in Alaska. She stated that most of her teaching was in
Montana. She taught at a rural Herderites school teaching
English. She taught science and math for 12 years at a middle
school. She returned to Alaska and began working for DEED as an
education specialist and content specialist for math and
science.
MS. RIDDLE said she enjoys working for DEED because she
developed a systems view of education, which is different than
working in the classroom.
9:44:18 AM
MS. RIDDLE stated that she had served as the DEED representative
on the Professional Teaching Practices Commission. She noted
that her third meeting would be held next week. She indicated
that she was impressed by executive director Melody Mann's
outreach. She described her as proactive and dedicated, ensuring
teachers understand their responsibilities.
9:44:58 AM
SENATOR HUGHES referred to her resume, noting that it was
detailed. She surmised that she would be thorough and detailed
at the commission. She remarked that she was unaware the
department representative had to be confirmed by the legislature
instead of appointed by the commissioner.
SENATOR HUGHES wondered if she had an area of concern to focus
on at the commission. She noted that Mr. Reid had mentioned the
breach of contract issue. She acknowledged that Alaska had an
ongoing shortage of teachers.
MS. RIDDLE expressed concern that the breach of contracts was so
high. She explained that DEED was working on a multifaceted
approach to retain teachers in the school districts. She
highlighted that it was not solely the school districts
responsibility and that everyone needs to address the matter.
She suggested that it might help to have some training and
partnerships in rural schools for incoming teachers prior to the
school year to allow them to adjust to living in a rural
community.
9:47:28 AM
SENATOR STEVENS offered his belief that she would do a great job
serving on the commission.
SENATOR HOLLAND remarked that her resume was detailed and
highlighted her qualities.
9:47:52 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND opened public testimony on the governor's
appointees to the Professional Teaching Practices Commission; he
found none, and closed public testimony.
9:48:21 AM
SENATOR STEVENS stated that in accordance with AS 39.05.080, the
Senate Education Committee reviewed the following and recommends
the appointments be forwarded to a joint session for
consideration:
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Emma Melkerson - Kivalina
Adam Reid - Anchorage
Lem Wheeles - Anchorage
Deborah Riddle - Juneau
[Signing the reports regarding appointments to boards and
commissions in no way reflects individual members' approval or
disapproval of the appointees; the nominations are merely
forwarded to the full legislature for confirmation or
rejection.]
9:49:01 AM
At ease
SB 157-HEALTH AND PERSONAL SAFETY EDUCATION
9:49:48 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 157, "An Act relating to health
and personal safety education; and providing for an effective
date."
9:50:13 AM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska,
sponsor of SB 157, read the sponsor statement.
Sex education is essential to young people's health,
relationships, and life goals. Young people should get
age-appropriate, medically accurate information. Young
people across Alaska deserve age-appropriate,
medically accurate information about sex,
reproduction, and healthy relationships taught in
culturally competent, inclusive ways. Sex education
should cover a wide range of topics, including healthy
and unhealthy relationships, decision-making and peer
pressure, abstinence, communication, consent, body
image, media literacy and critical thinking, birth
control, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
But many students in Alaska don't have access to the
information and skills they need to protect their
health because our state does not have comprehensive
requirements for sex education in public schools. Sex
education can equip young people with the skills they
need for a lifetime of good health, including the
ability to have healthy relationships, make decisions
for themselves, think critically about the world, be a
good ally to those who are different, and love
yourself for who you are. Comprehensive, medically
accurate sexual health education is the best way to
help young people stay healthy.
9:52:21 AM
BESSE ODOM, Staff, Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, read the sectional analysis for SB
157.
[Original punctuation provided.]
Sectional Analysis for SB 157 version A
Section 1. This section amends AS 14.03.120, the
statute regarding public school reports on school
performance and planning by adding a new subsection.
This new subsection requires a summary and evaluation
of health and personal safety.
Section 2. This section amends AS 14.30.360 -
14.30.370 by adding personal safety program standards.
Section 3. This section amends AS 14.30.360, by adding
conforming language as seen in section 2. This section
is also amended to mandate a health and personal
safety education curriculum. Additionally, this
section adds a new subsection. This new subsection
requires medically and scientifically accurate
information for curriculum and defines "consent".
Section 4. Adds a new subsection that sets
requirements for the health and personal safety
education program curriculum.
Section 5. Repeals AS 14.30.361.
Section 6. This section sets an effective date of June
30, 2023.
9:53:54 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND turned to invited testimony on SB 157.
9:54:32 AM
ROSE OHARA JOLLEY, Director, Planned Parenthood Alliance
Advocates Alaska (PPAA), Fairbanks, Alaska, began invited
testimony on SB 157. She stated that PPAA strongly supports SB
157, a bill that would enact state standards for sexual health
education to ensure that all young people in Alaska receive the
education they need to live healthy, safe lives. She offered her
belief that most people in Alaska want young people to receive
sex education. She reported that a 2019 survey [not identified]
showed that over 90 percent of Alaskan voters agreed that sex
education should be medically accurate, age-appropriate, and
cover healthy relationships, consent, and communication skills,
all of which is covered in SB 157.
9:55:25 AM
MS. JOLLEY related that medical associations, including the
American Medical Association, the American Academy of
Pediatrics, and the Alaska Association of Student Government all
support sex education. The vast majority of people support sex
education, including 9 of 10 parents, which is why 33 states and
the District of Columbia require sexual health education. Young
people deserve to get evidence-based, medically accurate, age-
appropriate information and answers to their questions about sex
and relationships without being shamed or judged. Alaska leads
the nation with sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), ranking
the highest per capita for chlamydia and second-highest for
gonorrhea. Teens and young people are particularly vulnerable to
these infections. Young Alaskans 15-19 years old contract
chlamydia at three times the [national] average. Despite these
staggering statistics, only half of the secondary schools allow
teaching teens how to access valid and reliable information,
products, and services related to sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs) STIs, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and pregnancy.
Alaska also has the country's highest rate of reported rape,
almost three times the national average. Alaska's child sexual
assault rate is estimated to be the highest in the country, with
nearly one in seven people in Alaska experiencing some child
sexual abuse.
MS. JOLLEY stated that considerable research from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that
comprehensive sex education reduces sexual risk behavior and
STIs. Sex education is also associated with the delayed
initiation of sex, fewer sexual partners, and more widespread
use of condoms and contraceptives. Alaskan youth need to be
equipped with information on respecting boundaries, protecting
their health, and knowing who to turn to for help. Student
health, including sexual health, is strongly connected to
academic success and should be a core part of any student
curriculum, just like any other subject area. It is time for
Alaska to adopt comprehensive, inclusive, medically accurate,
and age-appropriate sexual health education standards for
students.
9:58:01 AM
JAYNE ANDREEN, President, Alaska Public Health Association
(ALPHA), Douglas, Alaska, provided invited testimony supporting
SB 157. She stated that ALPHA, an affiliate of the American
Public Health Association, represents a 150-year history of
translating and promoting effective public health policy and
practices to improve the public's health. ALPHA supports
implementing a required, comprehensive, and sequential health
education program for K-12 so that all students in public and
private schools receive this information.
9:58:56 AM
MS. ANDREEN stated that research shows that well-designed,
effectively-implemented school health policies and programs
improve student health-related behaviors and outcomes and their
educational outcomes.
MS. ANDREEN stated that according to the most recent 2019 Alaska
Youth Risk Behavior Survey, many high school students in Alaska
engaged in health risk behaviors. In the past months, students
responded that 34.5 percent had used tobacco products, including
vaping, 21.6 percent had used marijuana, 20.9 percent had used
alcohol, 12.4 percent had engaged in binge drinking, and 15.1
percent misused prescription pain medication. Students also
reported that in the past year, 19.7 percent had seriously
considered suicide, and 26 percent had sex in the last three
months.
10:00:00 AM
MS. ANDREEN stated that according to the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC), a comprehensive health education curriculum is
"one that is broad in scope and content, addresses numerous
health problems, issues, and topics, and includes a set of
instructional strategies and learning activities for students in
pre-K through grade 12 to acquire the knowledge, attitude, and
skills to address multiple health outcomes." She noted that key
topics of a comprehensive health education program include
personal health and wellness, alcohol and drug abuse prevention,
tobacco use prevention, safety, physical activity, food and
nutrition, violence prevention, mental health, emotional health,
and sexual health.
MS. ANDREEN highlighted that sexual health education was
considered one of the critical topic areas within a
comprehensive health education program.
10:01:00 AM
MS. ANDREEN stated that the CDC analyzed each state's health
education laws and regulations on sexual health, HIV, and STD
prevention. She indicated that Alaska was missing every one of
the evidence-based components known to promote health. Current
law encourages school districts to conduct health education, but
SB 157 would require this education in grades K-12. It would
expand the list to include sexual health, covering various
topics. Currently, Alaska only requires education on child
sexual abuse prevention for grades K-12 and dating violence
prevention for date rape for grades 7-12. She noted that
students must earn one health unit for physical education to
graduate from high school. She offered her view that SB 157 was
critical for Alaska's youth to ensure that they were equipped
with information to develop healthy behaviors, understand how
their actions impact their health and learn how to find accurate
health information. She encouraged members to pass SB 157 to
ensure Alaskans' immediate and long-term health.
10:02:47 AM
HANNAH GUZZI, Alaska and Hawai'i Education Manager, Planned
Parenthood Great Northwest, Anchorage, Alaska, provided invited
testimony on SB 157. She stated that through education and
health promotion, the organization's collective goal was to
improve health outcomes for Alaska's youth and to be
changemakers to the statistics shared about Alaska. She
explained that people need multiple opportunities over time to
make long-term changes in health behaviors. Comprehensive sex
education provides age-appropriate education and gives students
numerous opportunities to have their questions answered,
normalize all the changes happening in their bodies, and provide
medically-accurate information for students to make informed
choices. She characterized comprehensive sex education as
essential to young people's health, relationships, and life
goals. It covers various topics, including healthy and unhealthy
relationships, decision-making, peer pressure, abstinence,
communication, consent, gender identity, sexual orientation,
body image, media literacy, critical thinking, birth control,
and STIs.
10:04:13 AM
MS. GUZZI said that sex education should be culturally specific,
taught each year by a trained educator, and equip young people
with the skills they need to lead a healthy life, including
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ), and students
with disabilities. She related that in her experience teaching
sexual health education in the classroom, she found that
students needed to receive medically-accurate information
without judgment or shame. One way to accomplish this was to
provide a space for students to ask questions anonymously. Most
of the questions come from data that they may have seen online
or heard from friends. Students are trying to understand their
bodies and if their bodies are normal.
10:04:52 AM
MS. GUZZI shared some questions she had received that
demonstrated how SB 157 standards would help students
throughout their lives.
If you don't get consent, what happens?
Do periods hurt?
Could you get pregnant if someone had ejaculated into
a pool you were in?
What if your partner doesn't want to get tested or
won't share their test results?
Is it normal if one testicle is lower than the other?
What happens if you don't go through puberty?
How do I start a healthy relationship?
What if someone doesn't put a condom on?
How can you let a person know you don't want to have
sex?
10:05:32 AM
MS. GUZZI stated that with SB 157, teachers could answer these
questions in a medically-accurate, evidence-based, age-
appropriate way for all users across Alaska. SB 157 would
require that this life-changing information be taught throughout
Alaska while still allowing schools flexibility to determine how
to teach sex education and what curriculum would meet the
required standards. School districts and communities could
ensure that the content was culturally specific and relevant to
their communities while understanding that standards guide the
information being taught just like any other content area.
10:06:00 AM
MS. GUZZI noted that standards guide the information being
taught to students. She stated that SB 157 would require that
the guidelines were consistent with the National Sexuality
Education Standards, Core Content and Skills K-12, which
outlines age-appropriate learning standards. SB 157 would
require that all health education is age-appropriate and
provides information to guide youth as they grow and develop.
For example, these standards would require curricula for
students K-2 to help students identify different kinds of family
structures, describe the characteristics of a friend, and
explains that all people, including children, have a right to
tell others not to touch their bodies when they don't want to be
touched. It explains why bullying and teasing are wrong.
10:06:46 AM
MS. GUZZI provided examples, noting that grades 3-5 would
include noting that the timing for puberty and adolescent
development varies considerably and can still be healthy. She
related an example for grades 6-8 would describe the advantages
and disadvantages of communicating using technology and social
media. She indicated an example for grades 9-12 would compare
and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of abstinence and
other contraceptive methods, including condoms. She offered her
view that these standards would ensure that students were
equipped with accurate information to understand what was
happening to them at their developmental stage.
10:07:21 AM
MS. GUZZI stated that sex education should be inclusive,
ensuring that the curriculum resonates with all students
regardless of gender identity, race, disability status,
religion, or sexual orientation. She highlighted that educators
had shared multiple instances where a student approached them
after a lesson to share how much it meant to see themselves in
the curriculum. She indicated that creating spaces for all
students to feel welcome, valued, and represented, can increase
student attendance and grades and lower suicides. She offered
her view that comprehensive sexual education could also build
empathy for students who were different and normalize the social
and emotional changes that young people go through. It would
provide medically accurate answers to their questions, ensure
they know to seek the necessary health care, and empower youth
to have power and agency over their lives and bodies. She urged
members to support SB 157.
10:08:15 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND expressed his concern that SB 157 would change the
sex education program from "should" to "must." He expressed
further concern that the program would require sexual health for
K-12 because he was unsure that age-appropriate information
would be presented to students.
10:08:55 AM
SENATOR HUGHES said she would like to hear from the Department
of Education and Early Development (DEED). She related her
understanding that health was required for high school
graduation, so some sex education was already included in the
curriculum. She said she shared Chair Holland's concerns about
the bill.
10:09:25 AM
SENATOR STEVENS remarked that a constituent contacted him and
was upset that their son brought home a survey about sexual
issues. He wondered about parental rights and whether parents
could opt out because some parents may not wish their children
to learn sex education for religious or other reasons.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON offered her belief that schools were
teaching some sex education. She agreed that parents have a
right to decide if they want their children to participate.
10:10:28 AM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON thanked the committee for hearing SB 157.
10:10:39 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND held SB 157 in committee.
10:10:48 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Holland adjourned the Senate Education Standing Committee
meeting at 10:10 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Emma Melkerson PTPC Resume_Redacted.pdf |
SEDC 4/8/2022 9:00:00 AM |
|
| Deborah Riddle Resume_Redacted.pdf |
SEDC 4/8/2022 9:00:00 AM |
|
| Lem Wheeles Board Application_Redacted.pdf |
SEDC 4/8/2022 9:00:00 AM |
|
| Adam Reid's Resume-PTPC-2021_Redacted.pdf |
SEDC 4/8/2022 9:00:00 AM |
|
| Adam Reid Board Application - Redacted.pdf |
SEDC 4/8/2022 9:00:00 AM |
|
| Lem Wheeles PTPC Resume_Redacted.pdf |
SEDC 4/8/2022 9:00:00 AM |
|
| SB 157 ver A - Powerpoint Presentation.pdf |
SEDC 4/8/2022 9:00:00 AM |
SB 157 |
| SB 157 ver A - Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SEDC 4/8/2022 9:00:00 AM |
SB 157 |
| SB 157 ver A - Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SEDC 4/8/2022 9:00:00 AM |
SB 157 |
| SB 157 ver A - Supporting Document (Condom Use) 1.26.2022.pdf |
SEDC 4/8/2022 9:00:00 AM |
SB 157 |
| SB 157 ver A - Supporting Document (Consent at Every Age) 1.26.2022.pdf |
SEDC 4/8/2022 9:00:00 AM |
SB 157 |