Legislature(2013 - 2014)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/09/2014 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation: Alaska Native Students Achieving Academic Excellence in High School | |
| Presentation: Early Learning Today | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 9, 2014
8:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Gary Stevens, Chair
Senator Charlie Huggins
Senator Berta Gardner
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Mike Dunleavy, Vice Chair
Senator Bert Stedman
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION: ALASKA NATIVE STUDENTS ACHIEVING ACADEMIC
EXCELLENCE IN HIGH SCHOOL
- HEARD
PRESENTATION: EARLY LEARNING TODAY
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
JENNIFER HARRISON, Executive Director
Eastern Aleutian Tribes
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on Alaska Native
Students Achieving Academic Excellence in High School.
ABBE HENSLEY, Executive Director
Best Beginnings
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on Early Learning
Today.
KRISTEN RAMSTAD, Director
Head Start - RurAl CAP
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on Early Learning
Today.
ESTRELLA LEE, Manager
Parents as Teachers
RurAl CAP
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on Early Learning
Today.
STEPHANIE BERGLUND, CEO
thread
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on Early Learning
Today.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:00:37 AM
CHAIR GARY STEVENS called the Senate Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Gardner and Chair Stedman.
^PRESENTATION: Alaska NATIVE STUDENTS ACHIEVING ACADEMIC
EXCELLENCE IN HIGH SCHOOL
PRESENTATION: ALASKA NATIVE STUDENTS ACHIEVING ACADEMIC
EXCELLENCE IN HIGH SCHOOL
8:01:12 AM
CHAIR STEVENS announced a presentation on Alaska Native Students
Achieving Academic Excellence in High School.
8:01:21 AM
JENNIFER HARRISON, Executive Director, Eastern Aleutian Tribes,
Anchorage, Alaska, presented information on Alaska Native
Students Achieving Academic Excellence in High School. She
shared that the material was part of her contract for her
Master's in Public Administration. She began with a statement
that there is a misleading public perception that Alaska Native
students in small high schools are performing poorly. Due to the
decline in state income from oil development, policymakers are
looking for ways to cut education expenses. During the
legislative session last year there were concerns that various
options would be proposed like regional boarding schools or
closing schools with less than 20 students.
MS. HARRISON reported that her research questions were, "Are
there high schools where Alaska Native students are achieving
academic excellence. If so, are there community and school
factors that positively affect Alaska Native students' academic
performance." She said her client is First Alaskans Institute,
which helps to develop the capacity of Alaska Native people in
their communities to meet the social, economic, and educational
challenges of the future.
She shared the background of traditional instruction methods of
Alaska Natives, Russian bi-lingual schools, religious boarding
schools, and lawsuits related to state-operated school systems,
such as Kivalina. She said regional educational attendance areas
were set up in 1974.
8:04:46 AM
MS. HARRISON addressed positive deviance, a possible approach
when a concrete problem meets the following criteria: the
problem requires behavioral and/or social change, when other
solutions have not worked, and when positive deviance are
thought to exist. She noted a few communities had already solved
the problem. She gave examples of when to consider the approach.
She shared the results of her positive deviance research in
2009-2010 using standards-based assessment scores in 235 high
schools. It uncovered positive deviance high schools where 15
percent to 46 percent of Alaska Native students were achieving
advanced proficiency in reading, writing, math, and science.
Those results answered whether there were schools where Alaska
Native students were achieving academic excellence.
She showed a map where the top 20 percent of high schools were
located.
MS. HARRISON said that next she compared differences in
community and school factors between the positive deviant high
schools and the bottom 20 percent. She concluded that there was
not a statistically significant relationship between academic
performance and school factors.
She said she found that there were statistically significant
school factors, such as graduation rate, student survey return
rate, and type of school district. The higher the graduation
rate, the higher the academic scores; the higher the student
return rate, the higher the academic scores; borough school
districts had higher academic scores.
8:08:25 AM
She found that there was not a statistically significant
relationship between higher academic scores and community
factors: size, having local police, parent survey return rate,
and voter participation rate. However, statistically significant
community factors included demographics and language. The lower
the percentage of Alaska Native students in a high school, the
higher the academic scores. The higher percentages of community
members with a high school diploma or higher degree, the higher
the academic scores. The lower the percentage of community
members speaking an Alaska Native language, the higher the
scores, and the higher the percentage of students without
limited English proficiency, the higher the scores.
SENATOR GARDNER asked if a community with a lower percentage of
Alaska Native speakers had a higher performance.
MS. HARRISON said yes.
SENATOR GARDNER thought that was counter to what is expected.
SENATOR GARDNER asked if higher scores existed when the numbers
of Alaska Native students in a school was high or low.
MS. HARRISON said low.
SENATOR GARDNER said when there is a high percentage of Bachelor
degrees in a community, Alaska Native students do better.
MS. HARRISON agreed.
SENATOR GARDNER asked if the community has a high percentage of
people with a high school diploma or GED, students do better.
MS. HARRISON said yes.
SENATOR GARDNER concluded that in the demographics, high
correlates with high; under language, low correlates with high.
MS. HARRISON said correct.
CHAIR STEVENS announced the arrival of Senator Huggins.
8:11:33 AM
MS. HARRISON continued to discuss future research/policy
options: examine the student survey return rate.
SENATOR GARDNER noted that parental permission is required
before an at-risk behavior survey can be given.
MS. HARRISON said this is not an at-risk survey - it is about
school perspective.
She continued to say future research might focus on rural
education attendance area (REAA) school districts vs borough
districts, increase science test scores, encourage GED
completion and university distance education, and examine
further the positive deviance approach - learn from the people.
8:14:29 AM
She addressed the power of positive deviance: learn from the
people, plan with the people, begin with what they have, build
on what they know, and use the best leaders.
She shared recommendations: hold another positive deviance
dialogue, provide more academic data, sponsor field trips, and
research viable and sustainable solutions. She concluded that
what matters most is viable and sustainable solutions.
8:16:22 AM
CHAIR STEVENS described the organized borough he works in. He
inquired if an advisory committee would be warranted in the
smaller communities. He asked what Nanwalek does.
MS. HARRISON said Nanwalek has a strong language program, self-
determination, and is a community that values education.
She noted positive deviance is a new, world-wide theory and has
been used in health fields.
CHAIR STEVENS said more parent involvement is important.
MS. HARRISON described the elementary school in Argentina where
teachers went to parents to show them how school would assist
with farm skills.
8:20:10 AM
SENATOR GARDNER asked about sponsoring field trips.
MS. HARRISON explained that it is hard to see behavioral
differences without visiting a community. The suggestion of
field trips is intended for teachers and parents to see the top
20 percent of high schools.
8:21:04 AM
SENATOR HUGGINS talked about the value of farmers in Iowa. He
encouraged researchers to look at what is working in Mt.
Edgecumbe, Nome, Kotzebue, and Barrow.
CHAIR STEVENS noted that many were unhappy with the boarding
schools in the 60's and 70's. He agreed with the idea of
involving parents. He requested comments on past boarding school
success.
MS. HARRISON commented on experiences with past boarding schools
regarding negative social impacts.
8:27:11 AM
SENATOR GARDNER said boarding schools students do well if their
parents are involved.
MS. HARRISON said, statistically, students of parents who have
graduated from high school do well.
CHAIR STEVENS said he had thought Native language immersion
schools did well, such as the one in Bethel. He asked if that is
true.
MS. HARRISON said it wasn't schools that had Native language
classes, it was schools in communities with a higher number of
Native speakers that did not do well. She thought there was a
lot of parent involvement in the Bethel school.
SENATOR HUGGINS said colleges are boarding schools. He
questioned whether learning a Native language is a factor in
success. He used Russian as an example.
8:32:57 AM
CHAIR STEVENS wished to learn more about Native language success
rates. He asked about the suggestion to hold dialogues with
First Alaskans.
MS. HARRISON explained that First Alaskans Institute was looking
at the boarding school concept to determine whether to support
it or not. She said in her research she found that boarding
schools had high test scores, but not advanced proficiency
scores. The dialogue might be an extra day at a statewide
conference. First Alaskans Institute might be interested in
facilitating such a dialogue.
CHAIR STEVENS suggested encouraging parental involvement, such
as advisory committees. He thanked Ms. Harrison for her
presentation.
8:36:28 AM
At ease
^PRESENTATION: EARLY LEARNING TODAY
PRESENTATION: EARLY LEARNING TODAY
8:37:59 AM
CHAIR STEVENS announced a presentation on Early Learning Today.
ABBE HENSLEY, Executive Director, Best Beginnings, Anchorage,
Alaska, presented information on Early Learning Today. She began
with a video on young children and their families. She thanked
the committee for supporting programs for young children.
She began by discussing Best Beginnings and their local and
national partners. She said that by age 4, a child's experience
with words differs depending on the type of family they come
from. Children from professional families have heard 30 million
more words than children from poor families have. She stressed
the importance of parent interaction with their children.
8:43:49 AM
She described a program called "Words Count." She shared ways
the message is delivered to parents, such as PSA's, social
media, videos, promotional items, movies, and community
activities. She held up an "Every Day" refrigerator magnet, used
to remind parents to interact with their children frequently.
8:45:47 AM
She shared ideas to help children understand the value of words;
an outdoor story track, playing, singing, websites, and tablets
as ways to interact with children.
She showed a map of areas where there are Early Childhood
Partnerships and Imagination Libraries in Alaska. The goal is to
engage families with helping their children.
She concluded that these conversations should continue into the
future.
8:51:19 AM
KRISTEN RAMSTAD, Director, Head Start, RurAl CAP, Anchorage,
Alaska, presented information on Early Learning Today. She
shared statistics about the total number of children served by
Head Start.
She addressed results from Head Start which will be out this
summer. The goal is to prepare children for success and to be
healthier. Children in Head Start are up to date on their Well
Child exams and have been treated for chronic medical
conditions.
She said an accomplishment is that 486 homeless children were
served and many families acquired housing.
She discussed the future of Head Start. She related the effects
of sequestration and the journey to restoration after the cuts.
About $1.6 million has been potentially restored and there is an
increase in funding for a 1.3 percent cost-of-living adjustment.
8:57:51 AM
She addressed future opportunities for Head Start in forming
stronger partnerships, such as with the Native Consortium,
Tobacco Free, Childhood Obesity, with school districts, and with
UAA nursing students to hold physical examinations.
She spoke of federal funds for Early Head Start and Partnerships
for quality child care.
9:00:37 AM
CHAIR STEVENS asked how many children in Alaska are homeless.
MS. RAMSTAD said she could speak for RurAL CAP. There are
different kinds of "homeless," such as multiple families in one
house, or in hotels and shelters. She said they are partnering
with school district's Children in Transition. She noted it's
not just an urban problem.
CHAIR STEVENS requested comments on Native student success.
MS. RAMSTAD stressed that parent involvement is key. There are
attendance issues in certain areas of Head Start, which depends
on parent involvement.
MS. HARRISON added that for kindergarten developmental profiles,
family engagement is key.
CHAIR STEVENS noted poverty's role in school success.
MS. HARRISON agreed poverty is an incredible deterrent to
children's success.
9:05:39 AM
ESTRELLA LEE, Manager, Parents as Teachers, RurAl CAP,
Anchorage, Alaska, presented information on Early Learning
Today. Ms. Lee shared a story about children in a grocery store
and the importance of a child's need to be heard. Parents as
Teachers (PAT) helps parents to learn, grow, and develop to
reach their full potential. She shared areas where the program
exists.
She related excerpts from parents who voiced appreciation for
Parents as Teachers. She shared goals of the program.
She described the PAT approach: early detection and screening,
supported development, and school readiness.
She shared statistics of PAT, its current enrollment, the
numbers of children served, and the waitlist. She showed photos
of children being served.
9:15:15 AM
CHAIR STEVENS asked about SPROUT.
MS. LEE said it is a program local to Homer. PAT is a nationally
evidence-based model.
MS. HARRISON added that SPROUT is a partner with Best
Beginnings.
9:16:39 AM
STEPHANIE BERGLUND, CEO, thread, Anchorage, Alaska, presented
information about Early Learning Today. She shared that thread
connects early care and education to Alaska by linking families
with early care and education.
She shared how many children are in early care and education:
60,000 children under 6 participate, but there are less than 23
licensed spaces in child care, Head Start, and in preschools.
She addressed access, affordability, and quality of child care.
Childcare assistance is one resource supporting access to child
care. Currently, there are 4,200 children who receive a subsidy
each month for care. Economic challenges transcend all working
families. She noted the average rate for infant and toddler care
is between $500 and $800 a month and in some areas it can be
$1,000.
She said research indicates the single biggest factor in the
quality of a program and in improving child outcomes is the
teacher. Programs aim to provide quality care and education, but
face challenges. Early educators are not treated as
professionals and staff turnover is 46 percent.
9:22:19 AM
She said something big is already here. She thanked legislators
for continuing support. She mentioned two programs - ROOTS,
incentives and supports for higher teacher wages tied to
increased expectations for training and ongoing professional
development, and the Quality Reading and Improvement System.
She concluded that the early learning community is ready for
more big things to come.
9:24:03 AM
CHAIR STEVENS asked how children are protected from child sexual
abuse.
MS. BERGLUND said training in that area is limited due to a low-
skilled, entry-level workforce and inadequate funds. She said
thread has are strong partnerships with Office of Children's
Services and others.
CHAIR STEVENS asked how thread is related to the other programs.
MS. BERGLUND said thread is the child care resource and referral
network and focuses on the workforce; early care and education
teachers and programs. There are about 7,500 early educators
working across the state and 600 licensed child care programs.
It also provides families with information about child care
facilities. Alaska is one of seven states that does not have
quality standards defined for child care programs. Thread works
to help parents determine what child care should look like.
9:27:34 AM
MS. HARRISON added that, as of this month, there have been
211,352 Imagination library books delivered to children.
SENATOR GARDNER asked about the 77 percent of children in
licensed care who receive a subsidy. She said that the subsidy
must go to licensed care facility and not to a relative.
MS. BERGLUND said that is correct. She added that currently in
Alaska a family can qualify for a subsidy and have a relative
care for their child. The other 23 percent receive family
subsidies. The total is 4,200 children who receive a subsidy for
care each month. She concluded that eligibility is set very low
and thread is lobbying that rates reflect current market rates.
SENATOR GARDNER asked if there are families that qualify for a
subsidy, but can't get into a facility.
MS. BERGLUND thought that was the case because child care
facilities are only meeting 50 percent of the needs.
MS. HARRISON thanked the committee.
CHAIR STEVENS thanked the presenters. He said they would follow
up on this topic over the interim.
9:31:07 AM
There being nothing further to come before the committee,
Chair Stevens adjourned the Senate Education Standing Committee
at 9:31 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 01_JenniferHarrison_Powerpoint Presentation - April 19, 2013.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
Presentation: AK Native Student Excellence |
| 02_AK_Native_Students Achieving Excellence in High School_Final.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
Presentation: AK Native Student Excellence |
| BB01_Best Beginnings 04.09.14.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
Presentation: Early Learning Today |
| BB02_GLR-Issue-brief-on-oral-language-research-3.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
Presentation: Early Learning Today |
| BB03_IL Enrollments 4-14.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
Presentation: Early Learning Today |
| BB04_What Parents Can Do.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
Presentation: Early Learning Today |
| HeadStart01_AHSA Advocacy April 2014.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
Presentation: Early Learning Today |
| PAT01_Senate Ed.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
Presentation: Early Learning Today |
| PAT02_2013 Fact Sheet - DEED Grantees v4.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
Presentation: Early Learning Today |
| thread01_Senate Education Committee April 2014.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
Presentation: Early Learning Today |
| thread02_Alaska Fact Sheet March4.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
Presentation: Early Learning Today |
| thread03_Child Care Elig and Rates March 4.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
Presentation: Early Learning Today |
| thread04_Child Care in Alaska March 5.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
Presentation: Early Learning Today |
| thread05_FINAL ROOTS Awards Report 2013.pdf |
SEDC 4/9/2014 8:00:00 AM |
Presentation: Early Learning Today |