Legislature(2011 - 2012)BARNES 124
03/28/2011 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing: Board of Education and Early Development | |
| Confirmation Hearings: Professional Teaching Practices Commission | |
| Confirmation Hearings: Board of Regents | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
JOINT MEETING
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 28, 2011
8:04 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Senator Kevin Meyer, Co-Chair
Senator Joe Thomas, Co-Chair
Senator Bettye Davis, Vice Chair
Senator Hollis French
Senator Gary Stevens
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Representative Alan Dick, Chair
Representative Lance Pruitt, Vice Chair
Representative Eric Feige
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative Peggy P.Wilson
Representative Sharon Cissna
MEMBERS ABSENT
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
All members present
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Representative Scott Kawasaki
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS:
Board Of Education And Early Development
Pat Shier - Juneau, Alaska
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Steven Atwater - Soldotna, Alaska
Richard Lum - Anchorage, Alaska
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Board Of Regents
Jyotsna Heckman - Fairbanks, Alaska
Michael Powers - Fairbanks, Alaska
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
PAT SHIER, Appointee
First Judicial District
State Board of Education and Early Development
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the State Board of
Education and Early Development.
STEVEN ATWATER, Appointee
Professional Teaching Practices Commission (PTPC)
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Professional
Teaching Practices Commission.
RICHARD LUM, Appointee
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Professional
Teaching Practices Commission.
JYOTSNA HECKMAN, Appointee
Board of Regents
University of Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Regents.
MICHAEL POWERS, Appointee
Board of Regents
University of Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Regents.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:04:56 AM
CO-CHAIR KEVIN MEYER called the joint meeting of the Senate and
House Education Standing Committees to order at 8:04 a.m.
Present at the call to order were Senators Davis, Stevens,
French, Co-Chair Thomas, and Co-Chair Meyer and Representatives
Pruitt, Seaton, Wilson, and Chair Dick.
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
8:05:53 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER announced that the order of the business would be
to hear confirmations for appointees of the State Board of
Education and Early Development, Professional Teaching Practices
Commission, and the University of Alaska's Board of Regents.
^Confirmation Hearing: Board Of Education And Early Development
8:06:17 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER said the State Board of Education and Early
Development is composed of seven members, appointed by the
governor. The board regulates public elementary and secondary
education in Alaska, the state library, museums, and archives.
The board also appoints the commissioner of the Department of
Education and Early Development (DEED), subject to the approval
of the governor. Additionally the board approves DEED's budget,
establishes statewide goals of education, and adopts by-laws for
the management of the department. The board also serves as the
governing board for Mount Edgecombe high school.
CO-CHAIR MEYER asked Mr. Shier to tell the joint committee about
his interest in being reappointed to the State Board of
Education and Early Development.
8:07:43 AM
PAT SHIER, Appointee, First Judicial District, State Board of
Education and Early Development, Department of Education and
Early Development (DEED), said that he has found, as a public
servant at the Department of Labor and Workforce Development
(DOLWD), as a parent, and as an individual serving youth groups,
that politics are down-streamed from culture. The work that
legislators do at the capital is a reaction to culture, which is
greatly affected by education intuitions. He noted that he has
also had the personal experience educating his children through
both home school and public school.
He said that as a public administrator, he understands the
weight that school administrators bear as DEED promulgates and
pushes out regulations. He noted that he has not met any
teachers that want more regulations and this is a concern that
he has brought to the board and has asked DEED to examine.
He said that "No Child Left Behind has used up all of oxygen in
the room of education" and there has recently been more focus on
what is right for Alaska's students.
8:11:21 AM
SENATOR STEVENS thanked Mr. Shier for his contributions to
education. He said that he is concerned with the process of
appointing the commissioner for DEED, which is heavily dependent
on the Board of Education being proactive and involved. He asked
what his approach would be if a new commissioner needed to be
appointed: would it be a matter of who the governor chooses or
would he take a more proactive approach.
MR. SHIER replied that he has gone through this process twice.
In the first case, as a new member, there was very little
interaction between the board and the governor. In the most
recent case, the board had the opportunity to have conversations
with the governor's office in advance of the appointment. He
stressed that there was no time during this process that the
board did not understand that it had the ability to search for a
different candidate. He noted that both methods can be
powerfully effective and he is not uncomfortable with either
process. He added that in the most recent case this process was
much more straight-forward because the board was dealing with,
in his opinion, a fabulous candidate.
SENATOR STEVENS asked for confirmation that his approach would
be to let the governor take the lead.
MR. SHIER replied that would be more than he intended to say. He
said he is convinced that the process of having the board
interview and come to a conclusion on a candidate is the proper
method: whether the candidate came to the board because of a
conversation with the governor or from scratch, both can produce
suitable results.
8:14:44 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said there is no legislative confirmation
for the commissioner of DEED in order to keep the position out
of the political process. He explained that he is concerned that
the legislator's confirmation power is being substituted by the
Board of Education in holding hearings of the
governor's choice. He reminded Mr. Shier that it is in statute
that the board will select candidates and propose them to the
governor. He asked Mr. Shier to respond to this concern.
MR. SHIER answered that he is not concerned that this most
recent confirmation set a precedent for the board for any
following confirmations.
CHAIR DICK said that it recently came to his attention that
there is no member of the board that actually resides within an
REAA [Regional Education Attendance Areas]. He requested that
the board members be attentive to the REAA's needs, which have a
lot of unique concerns.
MR. SHIER responded that he grew up in Fairbanks where his
parents owned a small grocery shop near a housing development
that received a number of people from the villages in the
winter. As a child he would play with many of the young children
from the villages when they were in town attending school. He
noted that at a certain age, these young individuals did not
return to town because their help was needed at home.
As an adult working for DOLWD he had the opportunity to travel
to rural areas and stay in villages where he was able to witness
the village dynamics with regard to politics and how this
affects the schools. He noted that these issues are "very much
in my mind and will take that to heart."
8:20:50 AM
CHAIR DICK said he has spoken with a lot of intervention
districts where there is frustration when focusing on the
villages and trying to come up with creative solutions. He asked
Mr. Shier to share his thoughts on intervention and how it might
improve.
MR. SHIER replied that intervention is always a last result. He
explained that as a state there is a lot of dependence on the
local districts and individuals and it is important for DEED to
act as a facilitator or coach rather than an enforcer. He noted
that this can be very difficult. He said that when he first
joined the Board of Education he learned that 85 to 90 percent
of DEED's payroll is paid by federal funds. He acknowledged that
money is tight and there are many needs in the state but he
questioned how well and how deeply an individual can serve the
state of Alaska and a federal program at the same time. However,
the individuals involved in the intervention projects do an
admirable job and bring a lot of value, he opined. He stressed
the need for accountability and to encourage district leadership
to see its role in a more holistic light as a part of a
community. He added that he believes that DEED is heading in the
right direction.
8:24:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON asked for confirmation that the Board
of Education did not look further for a commissioner of DEED
because the board was happy with the recommendation made by the
governor. She continued that she was under the impression that
if, next time, the board did not like the recommendation that it
would look for a different candidate.
MR. SHIER replied yes.
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON said that she is very concerned about
children graduating from high school who need to take remedial
courses in college. She asked how the board helps bring out some
of the issues that need to come to light and whether his voice
adds to that discussion.
MR. SHIER gave the example of the creation of IDEA [Interior
Distance Education of Alaska], which began with one district who
saw a need for distance learning and stepped in to fill that
need. Soon after this a number of homeschooling programs began
to emerge. These statewide programs allowed districts to self-
evaluate in order to figure out how the needs of children in the
district could be met. This research and development was very
effective and produced great results.
He brought the committee's attention to a report titled
Homeschooling on the Threshold. He explained that the research
shows that for some students homeschooling is a good way to go.
Further, the report states that one of the single best
indicators in the effectiveness of a classroom is the teacher.
However, outside of the classroom there are a number of options
that have shown great success. He said that he is always
thinking innovatively on ways that the board can do things
differently.
8:32:27 AM
CO-CHAIR THOMAS said he too was a little unsettled with the
process of selecting the current commissioner. He addressed Mr.
Shier's concern about the number of regulations within DEED. He
said that he hopes the board would bring recommendations to the
department on regulations that the board wants reviewed, rather
than simply asking the department to take a look at the various
regulations.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said the House Education Standing
Committee has been very impressed with some of the theme based
education models and results. He asked what his view is on the
board's ability to impact the education models being used or
whether this should be a local decision.
MR. SHIER replied that it is a local decision. However, RISC
(Re-Inventing Schools Coalition) schools have come before the
board on several occasions. He explained that the board
encouraged these schools to fit into the current structure of
rules and regulations by approving waivers. He said that the
board is very interested and committed to creating opportunities
for schools to innovate.
SENATOR DAVIS asked how long he has served on the Board of
Education.
MR. SHIER replied he began in 2007.
8:35:34 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER moved to forward the name Pat Shier to the full
legislature sitting in joint session for a vote. He reminded
members that signing the report regarding the appointment to the
board in no way reflects individual members' approval or
disapproval of the appointee, and that the nomination is merely
forwarded to the full legislature for confirmation or rejection.
There being no objection, it was so ordered.
^Confirmation Hearings: Professional Teaching Practices
Commission
8:36:17 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER said that the Professional Teaching Practices
Commission is comprised of nine members appointed by the
governor and include five classroom teachers, one principal, one
superintendent, one department representative, and one higher-
education representative.
He asked Mr. Atwater to tell the committee why he is interested
in serving on the Professional Teaching Practices Commission.
8:37:15 AM
STEVEN ATWATER, Appointee, Professional Teaching Practices
Commission (PTPC), said his interest in serving on the
commission stems from more than 20 years experience within
education in Alaska. He explained that he wants to help the
commission educate educators across the state with some of the
issues that PTPC deals with.
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON asked why he is interested in this
position.
MR. ATWATER reiterated that he has been in education for over 20
years and feels that he is at a point where he can give back to
the state. He added that he has a good grasp of education in
Alaska and believes that he will do a good job representing the
superintendents in that way.
8:39:19 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER moved to forward the name Steven Atwater to the
full legislature sitting in joint session for a vote. He
reminded members that signing the report regarding the
appointment to the commission in no way reflects individual
members' approval or disapproval of the appointee, and that the
nomination is merely forwarded to the full legislature for
confirmation or rejection. There being no objection, it was so
ordered.
8:39:45 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER asked Mr. Lum why he is interested in serving on
the Professional Teaching Practices Commission. He noted that
this would be Mr. Lum's second appointment to the commission.
8:40:10 AM
RICHARD LUM, Appointee, Professional Teaching Practices
Commission, said he is an elementary music teacher in Anchorage
and has served on the PTPC for the past three years. He
explained that he views the commission's work as a way of
ensuring the welfare of Alaska's students and giving educators
another agency for scrutiny when cases arise. He noted that he
has almost 30 years experience in the military with an expertise
in ethics and would like to continue using those skills in the
community and the state.
CO-CHAIR THOMAS asked if there was one thing in education that
he could change what it would be.
MR. LUM replied "that all educators do the right thing."
CHAIR DICK asked, within his experience, what was one of the
more challenging decisions he has had to make with regard to
weighing out some of the issues that have come before him on the
commission.
MR. LUM replied that the commission often reviews cases where
members know the individuals. He said that as commissioners the
members have the opportunity to recuse themselves when this
circumstance arises. He explained that there have been times
when he has been aware of a case and could like to give input,
but he recognized that he needed to recuse himself for the sake
of possible conflict.
8:43:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE joined the committee.
8:43:28 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER moved to forward the name Richard Lum to the full
legislature sitting in joint session for a vote. He reminded
members that signing the report regarding the appointment to the
commission in no way reflects individual members' approval or
disapproval of the appointee, and that the nominations are
merely forwarded to the full legislature for confirmation or
rejection. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
^Confirmation Hearings: Board Of Regents
8:44:05 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER reminded the committee that the Board of Regents
is comprised of 11 members who serve an eight year term and are
appointed by the governor. The board is responsible for the
policy and management of the University of Alaska (UA).
He asked Ms. Heckman why she is interested in serving on the
Board of Regents. He noted that this is her first appointment to
the board.
8:45:04 AM
JYOTSNA HECKMAN, Appointee, Board of Regents, University of
Alaska, thanked the committee for the opportunity. She said that
she is currently the president and CEO of the Denali State Bank
and has been attending training and Board of Regent meetings for
the past few months. She explained that she has been engaged in
the community [of Fairbanks] since 1975 and has been asked to
put her name in for the board in the past, however at the time
she did not believe the timing was right. She explained that she
will be retiring from her current position at the Denali State
Bank this year, which will allow her time to take up this
position responsibly.
SENATOR STEVENS asked how she would defend maintaining open-
enrollment at UA.
MS. HECKMAN replied that she is not sure whether she can answer
his question due to the newness of the position for her. She
explained that her understanding of the university is primarily
as a student who received her under graduate and master's degree
from the university.
SENATOR STEVENS said he appreciates her honesty.
CHAIR DICK said when Commissioner Hanley sat in front of the
joint committee at an earlier meeting he came up with a strategy
for education in the state. He noted that one of the largest
issues was that better teacher training is needed. He asked if
she has any ideas on how this can be done.
MS. HECKMAN replied that she was recently told that the UA's
graduation rate is between 6 and 8 years and she was very
concerned with that statement.
She continued that she is also concerned that students are not
prepared when they arrive at the university. She said that she
believes the problem starts quite early. She added that she grew
up in a different country and the structure that she was
familiar with is vastly different than her children's
experience. She noted that it took a lot of parental
intervention to make sure that her children were successful in
school. She stressed the importance of preparing students for
college and this is done by teachers in partnership with
parents.
8:51:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA joined the committee.
8:51:58 AM
CO-CHAIR THOMAS asked, as a successful business woman in Alaska,
how well the university is doing and what could be done to
produce a better product.
MS. HECKMAN replied that the university system has not arrived;
it is an evolving and continuously improving process. She said
that she believes there is a lot of work that needs to be done
and student success should be the focus on all of the UA
campuses. She added that because she is new to the board it is
difficult for her to point out which aspects are working well
and which are not. There are a lot of people that are very
committed to student success and she is excited to be a partner
in this success, she said.
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON addressed a number of concerns that she
had. This included the yearly increase in tuition for the
university, having course credits count between campuses, and
better teacher education. She noted that theme teaching is very
exciting and that it is time for some changes. She said she
hopes that Ms. Heckman thinks that way as well.
MS. HECKMAN replied that she hopes to do her best.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said that two requirements for the
university have been incorporated into two of the bills being
heard this session: one is for a mandatory advising program and
the other that the university identifies a clear path for on-
time completion for each degree or certificate. He asked for
confirmation that she would be supportive of these two
initiatives.
MS. HECKMAN answered that she needs more information since this
is the first time she has heard of these two initiatives. She
said that from a practical point of view and as a parent she
does not see why one would not support these initiatives. She
stressed that the problem is not just at the university level
and it is important to bring students into college who are
ready.
9:00:10 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT asked whether she believes there is one
university with three branches underneath it or three separate
universities with similar administration.
MS. HECKMAN replied "I've always felt that we have one
university."
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA said she has been a student at the three
major campuses and has visited many campuses across the state.
She explained that her experience is that each institution has
its own unique capabilities. She said that the University of
Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is the largest campus in the state, yet
has minor representation on the Board of Regents. She said that
there are so many campuses with different strengths and these
strengths are not being maximized because some of the campuses
lack representation on the Board of Regents. She asked where Ms.
Heckman stands on this issue.
MS. HECKMAN replied that, to her understanding, there are
opportunities for people in each region to submit their names
and bring that representation to the Board of Regents. She said
that as a regent she is not sure what influence she would have
since the position is appointed by the governor.
CO-CHAIR MEYER said that he believes that there is some good
diversity on the Board of Regents.
9:06:41 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER moved to forward the name Jyotsna Heckman to the
full legislature sitting in joint session for a vote. He
reminded members that signing the report regarding the
appointment to the board in no way reflects individual members'
approval or disapproval of the appointee, and that the
nominations are merely forwarded to the full legislature for
confirmation or rejection. There being no objection, it was so
ordered.
9:07:06 AM
CHAIR MEYER asked Mr. Powers why he would like to serve on the
Board of Regents.
9:07:26 AM
MICHAEL POWERS, Appointee, Board of Regents, University of
Alaska, said he is currently the CEO at Fairbanks Memorial
Hospital. He explained he has a great deal of respect for the
university and, as a Vista Volunteer, spent a lot of time at
UAA. He said that his experience with UAA and, especially, with
the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is that it is a vital
part of the community and the economy of the place and he wants
to be a part of that.
SENATOR STEVENS asked, with regard to his degrees, what HD
stands for.
MR. POWERS replied it's a "higher diploma" in Irish literature.
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA said that the student population numbers
are not good at UA, nor are the graduation rates, in comparison
to the rest of the United States. She stated concern that the
regents wind up representing the "main campus" in Fairbanks. She
explained that this means other campuses do not get the kind of
programs that allow it to grow. She said to have the regents
feel a responsibility for the university system as a whole is
very important to her. She asked Mr. Powers how he feels about
this.
MR. POWERS replied that he has attended one meeting thus far. He
explained that during that meeting the dynamic that he saw was
truly state-wide. He noted that this is "how we are going to
have to grow and improve as a state." He gave the example of the
expansion of the nursing program, where the choice was made to
concentrate the expansion in Anchorage. He noted that the Fisher
Report speaks of this as well. He added that this is one of the
key challenges for the board.
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON commented that one of the reasons it
takes so many years to graduate from the university is because
the courses are only offered at certain times. She said that she
hopes he can take that into account and make some changes.
9:16:03 AM
CO-CHAIR MEYER moved to forward the name Michael Powers to the
full legislature sitting in joint session for a vote. He
reminded members that signing the report regarding the
appointment to the board in no way reflects individual members'
approval or disapproval of the appointee, and that the
nominations are merely forwarded to the full legislature for
confirmation or rejection. There being no objection, it was so
ordered.
9:16:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said the committee has shown concern for
the process the State Board of Education and Early Development
took in the appointment of the commissioner of DEED. He said
that members are left with a quandary on how to vote for the
confirmation of the appointees for the Board of Education
because the appointees are supporting a diversion to the
process.
CO-CHAIR MEYER said that it is a concern for some of the members
on the Senate side as well. He reminded the committee that just
because the committees are forwarding the names on does not
imply how a member is going to vote.
SENATOR STEVENS agreed with Representative Seaton's comments.
9:20:10 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Co-Chair Meyer adjourned the meeting at 9:20 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmation Hearing Packet 3.28.11.pdf |
SEDC 3/28/2011 8:00:00 AM |