Legislature(2017 - 2018)CAPITOL 106
02/13/2017 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
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| Presentation: School Board Fly-in | |
| 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
February 13, 2017
7:59 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Senator Shelley Hughes, Chair
Senator Gary Stevens
Senator Cathy Giessel
Senator John Coghill
Senator Tom Begich
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Representative Harriet Drummond, Chair
Representative Justin Parish, Vice Chair
Representative Zach Fansler
Representative Ivy Spohnholz
Representative Jennifer Johnston
Representative Chuck Kopp
Representative David Talerico
Representative Lora Reinbold
MEMBERS ABSENT
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
All members present
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Representative Geran Tarr
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION: SCHOOL BOARD FLY-IN
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
JAMES FIELDS, Chair
Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development
Member
Copper River School Board
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on the Alaska State
School Board.
NORM WOOTEN, Executive Director
Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about AASB.
PETE HOEPFNER, President
Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB)
Member
Cordova School Board
Cordova, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about AASB.
MIKE HANLEY, Assistant Superintendent
Chugach School District
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about the Chugach
School District.
CHARLENE ARNESON, President
Chugach School Board
Whittier, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about the Chugach
School District.
DAVE HERBERT, Superintendent
St. Mary's School District
St. Mary's, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about St. Mary's
School District.
FRANCIS THOMPSON, President
St. Mary's School Board
St. Mary's, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about St. Mary's
School District.
KAY ANDREWS, President
Southwest Region School Board
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about Southwest Region
School District.
DAVID PIAZZA, Superintendent
Southwest Region School District
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about Southwest Region
School District.
MARIE PAUL, Vice President
Southwest Region School Board
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information about the Southwest
Region School District.
KATHY TODD, M.D., Vice President
Valdez School Board
Valdez, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about the Valdez City
Schools.
SEAN DUSEK, Superintendent
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD)
President
Kenai Peninsula Borough School Board
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about KPBSD.
PENNY VADLA, Vice President
Kenai Peninsula Borough School Board
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about KPBSD.
DANNY FRAZIER, Superintendent
Dillingham City School District
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about Dillingham City
School District.
KEVIN SHIPLEY, Superintendent
Kake City School District
Kake, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about the Kake City
School District.
ANDI STORY, Vice President
Juneau School Board
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about the Juneau
Borough School District.
KATHY TRAN, Student
Juneau Douglas High School
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about the Juneau
Borough School District.
TAM AGOSTI-GISLER, President
Anchorage School Board
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about the Anchorage
School District.
STARR MARSETT, Member
Anchorage School Board
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about the Anchorage
School District.
ANNA POTTER, Student
Anchorage School District
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on the Anchorage
School District.
HAILEY EDMONSON, Student, South Anchorage High School
Anchorage School District
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about the Anchorage
School District.
PAT HIGGINS, Member
Anchorage School Board
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about the Anchorage
School District.
ALEISHA MOLLEN, Member
Wrangell School Board
Wrangell Borough School District
Wrangell, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about the Wrangell
Borough School District.
STEWART MCDONALD, Superintendent
Kodiak Island Borough School District (KIBSD)
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information about KIBSD.
MARK SOMERVILLE, President
Copper River School Board
Glennallen, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced students from the Copper River
School District.
AMANDA FRIENDSHUH, Student
Copper River School District (CRSD)
Kenny Lake, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information about (CRSD).
ACTION NARRATIVE
7:59:52 AM
CHAIR HUGHES called the joint meeting of the Senate and House
Education Standing Committees to order at 7:59 a.m. Present at
the call to order were Senators Begich, Stevens, and Chair
Hughes, and Representatives Kopp, Fansler, Johnston, Talerico,
and Chair Drummond. Representatives Begich, Parish, Spohnholz,
and Reinbold arrived shortly thereafter, as did Senators Coghill
and Giessel.
^PRESENTATION: SCHOOL BOARD FLY-IN
PRESENTATION: SCHOOL BOARD FLY-IN
8:01:19 AM
CHAIR HUGHES announced that the only order of business would be
a presentation of the School Board Fly-In. She noted that the
Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development would be
presenting again in March. She said today the committee will be
hearing from the State Board, as well as from Norm Wooten from
the Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB) and various
school boards. Several school districts will also present.
8:01:51 AM
She recognized the arrival of Senators Begich and Coghill, and
Representative Parish.
8:02:13 AM
JAMES FIELDS, Chair, Alaska State Board of Education and Early
Development, Member, Copper River School Board, presented
information on the Alaska State Board of Education. He welcomed
all members of the Association of Alaska School Board (AASB) and
students to the meeting.
CHAIR DRUMMOND noted the arrival of Representative Spohnholz.
MR. FIELDS shared highpoints from the State School Board's
Annual Report. The Board's mission statement for public
education in Alaska is, "An excellent education for every
student, every day. All students will succeed in their education
and work, shape meaningful life for themselves, exemplify the
best values of society, and be effective in improving the
character and quality of the world about them." The strategic
objectives the state has put forward are: amplify student
learning, inspire community ownership for educational
excellence, modernize the education system, ensure excellent
educators, and promote safety and wellbeing.
MR. FIELDS drew attention to new offices, members, and staff,
specifically the appointments of Dr. Michael Johnson as
Commissioner of Education on July 5, 2016, and Sana Efird as the
sole Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Education. Dr.
Johnson has served as superintendent of the Copper River School
District, principal, curriculum and staff development director,
elementary teacher, and special education program assistant.
During his tenure as a principal, Glennallen School Elementary
School was named a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of
Education. Dr. Johnson is a recipient of the prestigious Milken
Educator Award. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master
of Arts in Elementary Teaching from Columbia International
University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education and
Intercultural Studies from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks.
8:04:44 AM
MR. FIELDS reported that before being appointed Deputy
Commissioner, Ms. Efird was serving as an Assistant Commissioner
in the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). She has
a background in education serving as an executive director of a
community college foundation, director of development for a
private school, and teacher and staff development trainer in
public schools. Ms. Efird holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Education from the University of South Carolina and a Master of
Arts Degree in Philanthropy and Development from St. Mary's
University in Minnesota.
8:05:20 AM
MR. FIELDS shared significant steps the Board will take this
year. He reported that in December 2016, DEED selected Data
Recognition Corporation (DRC) as the vendor of statewide
assessments in English, Language Arts, math, and science to be
administered the spring of 2017. School districts can choose to
give the tests by paper or on computer. He described the process
of selecting the vendor and he provided the history of DRC's
involvement in Alaska.
MR. FIELDS turned to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA),
which replaces No Child Left Behind and is authorized for four
years. He said the department continues to reach out to all
stakeholders regarding ESSA.
8:07:11 AM
MR. FIELDS discussed Mt. Edgcumbe High School and the fact that
the State Board serves as its school board. He said parents and
other serve on an advisory board. In the fall of 2016, 434
students attended Mt. Edgcumbe. Alaska Native students compose
86 percent of the student population.
8:08:11 AM
CHAIR HUGHES thanked Mr. Fields. She noted the Board would be
back again before the Education Committee for a full meeting.
8:09:14 AM
NORM WOOTEN, Executive Director, Association of Alaska School
Boards (AASB), presented information about AASB. He related that
AASB is a membership organization consisting of 52 of 53 school
districts in Alaska. Their associate membership consists of the
State Board of Education, the Commissioner of Education, the
Deputy Commissioner of Education, and Mt. Edgecumbe.
8:10:12 AM
MR. WOOTEN addressed AASB's three areas of focus: governance,
the Alaska Initiative for Community Engagement (ICE), and the
Consortium for Digital Learning (CDL). AASB believes that good
governance by school boards leads to greater student
achievement. Under governance, the Board offers workshops,
strategic planning, self-assessment, superintendent searches,
and conferences.
He said that under Alaska ICE the Board works with various
school districts to engage their communities for greater
participation in schools and in Social Emotional Learning. They
also administer the School Climate and Connectedness Survey.
He described the Board's management of the Consortium of Digital
Learning (CDL) for school districts. They are also heavily
involved in language preservation and provide professional
development to teachers and staff as it relates to technology.
8:12:38 AM
PETE HOEPFNER, President, Association of Alaska School Boards
(AASB), Member, Cordova School Board, presented information
about AASB. He addressed AASB's resolutions and where ASSB
stands. He said AASB uses resolutions as a basis to advocate and
deliberate and he provided the process they use. The resolutions
provide a method of addressing district priorities and
legislation.
8:14:30 AM
MR. HOEPFNER showed AASB's long-term goals for 2016-2019, which
are based on data and resolutions. He stressed that Alaska can
do better. He pointed out that AASB's goals can be found on
BASIS.
MR. WOOTEN concluded that it was a brief synopsis of AASB.
8:14:57 AM
CHAIR HUGHES thanked Mr. Wooten and Mr. Hoepfner and introduced
former-Commissioner of Education Mike Hanley.
8:15:22 AM
MIKE HANLEY, Assistant Superintendent, Chugach School District,
presented information about the Chugach School District. He
introduced himself. He said the committee would hear from five
districts about their innovative work and unique ideas to best
meet the needs of their students. He noted that the Chugach
School District is a unique and successful model; the school
board and community accepts and pursues change.
8:16:36 AM
CHARLENE ARNESON, President, Chugach School Board, presented
information about the Chugach School District. She related that
18 years ago communities insisted that schools "do something
better for our kids." District staff and leaders were willing to
put forth the effort to make the change. She emphasized that
they had to teach the way students learn.
8:18:12 AM
MR. HANLEY pointed out that the Chugach Model is the only
competence-based district in Alaska. It was recognized as the
first competency-based school district in the country and
received the Malcolm Baldrich National Quality Award in 2001 by
President Bush for innovation and quality. He addressed how the
district embraces innovation by changing educational variables,
drivers, and delivery. Learning is the constant; timing is the
variable. He explained that they have "levels" rather than grade
levels, and students work at a pace they learn best at their
level. Students have individualized learning plans.
Student needs are the drivers and they understand and meet State
Standards. The delivery consists of direct instruction,
technology, and combinations of methods. The goal is for
students to be productive and successful adults when they leave
the school system.
8:21:19 AM
MR. HANLEY described the Voyage to Excellence program,
recognizing that students in small rural schools are challenged
to have "a vision beyond" when their experience is in a small
community. The program is a statewide variable-term residential
school located in Anchorage with intensive instruction and life
experiences for two to three weeks at a time. Students
experience ETT training, culinary arts, construction trades,
driver's education, SAT preparation, and other opportunities, as
well as support to keep up with work from their home district.
MR. HANLEY explained that Chugach School District has blurred
the edges of what is considered a "district." They changed the
definition of who "our kids" are, their responsibilities, and
educational partners. Students are those who need the
opportunity to engage in any program; there are partnerships
across the state; their role is to guide, lead, share with, and
follow students, not just transmit knowledge.
The school is redefining who their partners are: Copper River -
online classed, Voyage to Excellence, Northwestern Alaska Career
and Technical Center (NACTEC) in Nome, Prince William Sound
College, Kodiak School District, Alaska's Institute of
Technology (AVTEC) in Seward, community businesses and agencies,
and tribal corporations.
8:24:37 AM
He concluded that the district's innovative model has been in
place for over 20 years and is showing results - students and
communities are engaged and the graduation rate is 87.6 percent,
ten percent higher than the state average. He stated as the
district continues to pursue partnerships and resources, it is
becoming more innovative and effective.
8:24:50 AM
CHAIR HUGHES thanked Mr. Hanley and the district for "blazing
the trail with innovation." She introduced Mr. Herbert.
8:25:23 AM
DAVE HERBERT, Superintendent, St. Mary's School District,
presented information about St. Mary's School District. He
described his small, single-site district with a 99 percent
Yupik student population of 200. He added that the district has
a three-star rating and outstanding parents, teachers, staff,
and community members. He highlighted the Relevant Instruction
program, which has helped to engage the community, make learning
relevant, and gain parental support.
8:27:15 AM
MR. HERBERT described the Relevant Instruction program as an
outdoor relevant instruction program that utilizes the State
Standards in a rigorous and meaningful manner, which provides
true relevancy to the unique student population, community, and
environment. During the trips, students are required to collect
such things as vegetation and water samples, perform
mathematical computation, write daily journal articles, use GPS
systems, learn the Yup'ik language and gather other specific
data from the environment. Back in the classroom students are
required to complete a comprehensive project following clear and
concise rubrics which incorporate collected data, reading,
writing, science, social studies, technology, and math, as well
as meeting standards. Students must meet stringent criteria to
go on the trip; good grades, behavior, and attendance.
He said that parents and community members are active in
planning the trip and parents are required to attend meetings at
school and are aware of the criteria for participation and the
project. He shared how teachers and staff members participate in
the trips. He provided an example of a new science teacher who
got to go on a moose hunting trip, learning so much about Alaska
and his students' lifestyle.
He concluded that once the project has been completed, the
district holds a feast, which pulls together the entire
community. Relevant Instruction has motivated students and built
support for the program and pride in the community.
8:31:30 AM
FRANCIS THOMPSON, President, St. Mary's School Board, presented
information about St. Mary's School District. He shared the
district's mission to ensure that all students are able to
realize their dreams through their educational experience. The
district graduates a wide variety of students, including some
that have gone to Stanford University and some who choose to
live a subsistence life in the village. The district's goal is
to produce contributing members of society who have the
necessary skills to become gainfully employed in whatever
vocation they may choose.
MR. THOMPSON said the Relevant Instruction program has helped
the district and community. It has encouraged parents to become
involved with their students, has motivated students to have
good grades, attendance, and behavior, and demonstrated to the
community that the school values their culture. The elders in
the community are very supportive of the program and when "you
have the support of the elders in a small village, things seem
to work much better."
8:34:21 AM
MR. THOMPSON listed those who recently visited the school:
Governor Walker, Senator Murkowski, Senator Sullivan, and
Senator Olson. He said they would agree that St. Mary's School
is doing some innovative things with limited resources to ensure
that students receive the best possible education while being
careful how state funds are utilized. He concluded that Relevant
Instruction is one of many programs used by the school district
to improve the quality of education "outside of the box.
8:35:16 AM
CHAIR HUGHES thanked Mr. Thompson. She introduced Ms. Andrews
and Mr. Piazza.
8:35:32 AM
KAY ANDREWS, President, Southwest Region School Board, presented
information about Southwest Region School District. She said
Southwest Region schools are meeting Alaska's education
challenge for children through its innovative and collaborative
efforts sustained by stable education funding.
8:36:54 AM
DAVID PIAZZA, Superintendent, Southwest Region School District,
presented information about Southwest Region School District. He
related that over the years, Southwest Region School District
has, along with other school districts across the state and
nation, focused its limited resources on core reading, writing,
and mathematics; basic skills due to the emphasis placed on
measurement by standardized tests. Staff size has been reduced
in this period as well due to increasing costs and shrinking
budgets. As a result, the variety of courses and opportunities
and experiences for students in areas like music, art, home
economics, business, and many of the other career and technical
pathways have dwindled dramatically. This state of affairs was
not acceptable. To provide more options and variety of classes
to students, the District has implemented several collaborative
and innovative programs:
Collaborative Exploration Weeks designed to increase course
offerings.
Refocused instruction in the local Yup'ik language and
culture to promote student well-being and a sense of place
and self.
Increased use of technology to access new curricula and
share resources between schools.
8:38:23 AM
MS. ANDREWS explained that to address the issue of limited
course offerings, the district established a series of mini-term
courses called Exploration Week offered four times per year for
one week. They were created by extending the school days during
normal school weeks to allow for this instructional time without
cutting time in other more standard courses. These week-long
learning opportunities provide a variety of hands-on career and
life skills experiences for students that promote engagement and
spark student interest, while also providing additional high
school or dual credit options.
Through a partnership of all four Bristol Bay region school
districts, the collaborative establishment of a concurrent
calendar with Bristol Bay Borough and Lake and Peninsula School
districts for the four Exploration Week sessions has allowed
situation where students can travel to take courses where the
instructional expertise or equipment may be located. This past
spring, students in three of the four districts were surveyed to
determine interest in career and vocational education course
areas. From this data, a range of courses were planned and
hosted in Naknek, King Salmon and Dillingham. Among the options
provided was a Private Pilot Ground School course taught in King
Salmon, an Emergency Trauma Technician (ETT) certification class
in Dillingham taught by hospital and volunteer fire department
staff, and many other courses.
Students from across the four districts applied and were
selected for attendance. The success rate was high. A number of
students returned home with recognized industry and state
certifications. All students not traveling to the Career
Technical Education (CTE) region-wide courses were also given
new options in their local schools, based on the student
interest survey data. Students in each of Southwest Region's
schools were allowed to select courses that they had interest
in. On site, at home, a wide range of courses were offered.
Career and Technical Education courses including:
Driver's Education
A range of cooking classes
Furniture Making
Journalism
Digital Moviemaking
Computer Aided Design
Computer Aided Fabrication
Introduction to Computer Programming
Introduction to Robotics
Art courses including:
Wood Burning
Introduction to Painting
Introduction to Photography
Creative Writing
Commercial Fishing related courses like Net Bench Making
Personal Safety related courses including:
Hunter Education
Firearms Safety
Outdoor Survival Skills
She concluded that none of this would have been possible without
collaboration with area organizations and other districts in the
region.
8:41:44 AM
MARIE PAUL, Vice President, Southwest Region School Board,
provided information about the Southwest Region School District.
She explained that the parents and communities of their region
see a need to ensure that the young people remain grounded in
local language and culture. Students who are well grounded in
their language, traditions, customs, and values will become
contributing members of their communities in whatever role they
choose to undertake, whether that requires additional training
outside of the community or whether it can be accomplished with
survival and life skills that have been passed on for
generations. The District's Yup'ik Studies program integrates
Yup'ik language, art, science, and local knowledge to ensure
that students know who they are and build their sense of
belonging in the world.
Providing instruction in the Yup'ik language is a vital part of
our programs. This requires both the use of distance learning
technologies and a collaborative effort in scheduling. In some
smaller sites, where the number of staff are limited or where the
language has not been spoken at concentrated levels for many
years, this was a challenge. An example of how they are meeting
this challenge is the course taught by experienced Yup'ik
language teacher, Larry Bartman. He teaches Yup'ik Eskimo
Orthography daily to students in another small site by video-
conference. To make this and other courses possible, the
District established a common bell schedule across all its
schools so that students could have access to additional course
offerings taught by highly effective instructors.
In addition to culture courses like this one, during the
Exploration Weeks the district is able to bring courses back
into schools that promote students' sense of culture and self.
Yup'ik culture related courses were offered including:
Storytelling
Yup'ik Dance
Qaspeq Making
Trapping
Steam Building
Native food preparation
Skin Sewing
Uluaq and harpoon making
Parka Making
Subsistence Meat Processing
She concluded that none of this would have been possible without
technological innovation and collaboration with instructors
across the district.
8:44:21 AM
MR. PIAZZA added that in addition to collaborative efforts to
make CTE and other course offerings possible, and a renewed
focus on culture, the District has also expanded the use of
online curricular content and resources. These online courses
and materials do not replace instructors, rather they provide
additional tools that allow for blended instruction and the
offering of courses not possible before. The face-to-face
support of locally-based teachers with the effective technology
skills, an understanding of necessary pacing, and access to
resources found in online course management and delivery systems
are all critical for the success of this initiative. The use of
online platforms allows for a variety of course offerings
enabling student interest levels to be pursued. In addition, it
ensures that the quality of instruction remains consistent
across all schools. For example, this semester students in
Koliganek, which is a high school with two teachers, were able
to study forensics, a field which a number have expressed
interests in during the year. Students received instruction from
a local instructor, and an online curriculum utilizing a blended
model.
He emphasized that none of this would have been possible without
exploring new models of instruction and utilizing new sources of
materials.
8:45:51 AM
MS. PAUL said that they know that these innovations are making a
difference in the learning of students. During a recent
basketball tournament held at the "Chief" Ivan Blunka School in
New Stuyahok, a group of 5 or 6 students were running a print
shop on their own, to raise funds for student activities.
Utilizing skills learned in a Computer Aided Design (CAD)
Fabrication & Entrepreneurship course, the students operated
computer aided design software, industry standard vinyl cutting
equipment, business concepts for the purchasing and
manufacturing of goods, and customer relations skills. The
students were hardworking, dedicated, and responsible and
completed all their orders for custom tee shirts. There was
pride and ownership displayed by these students. The students
recognized each other's strengths and expertise and worked as a
team.
8:46:55 AM
MS. ANDREWS concluded that the District realizes the importance
of ensuring that students graduate with the skills necessary to
meet Alaska's education challenge. Students deserve stable
educational funding to meet the high expectations of our state.
"We stand ready to meet Alaska's Education Challenge and hope
for your continued support in doing so."
CHAIR HUGHES thanked the presenters.
8:47:32 AM
KATHY TODD, M.D., Vice President, Valdez School Board, presented
information about the Valdez City Schools. She related that
Valdez is a city school district with about 650 students. She
said she is here to advocate for a sustainable fiscal plan that
continues to invest in students. Cuts alone will not create a
sustainable fiscal plan and are incompatible with a sustainable
future for children. She said even with flat funding there are
rising costs like insurance that eat into classroom
expenditures. She requested a plan that puts money into the
revenue side of the budget to have enough funds to quit burning
through savings and make funding predictable and adequate.
DR. TODD related that Valdez has worked for years to try to make
efficient use of funds and she provided an example. She noted a
need for methods that teach all students at their own levels all
day. She said they have used grants to offset costs to certify
teachers in multiple subjects. She described solutions within
teacher negotiations and the ability to decrease the workforce
by attrition, not pink slips, and strategic hiring. She
described methods that the district has used to make up for the
loss of funding. She provided an example of a local student who
returned to teach after employment outside of Alaska. She
related how positions were combined and community members
recruited. She provided examples how these efforts would offer
more choices for students.
8:52:17 AM
She stressed that cost-effective and educationally-effective
solutions take predictable funding. She concluded that districts
need the predictability in funding that will come from a
sustainable fiscal plan that supports education. "Then,
districts can invest in ways that will support what we have now
and move our kids forward."
8:52:43 AM
CHAIR HUGHES thanked Dr. Todd.
8:52:49 AM
SEAN DUSEK, Superintendent, Kenai Peninsula Borough School
District (KPBSD), President, Alaska Superintendents Association
(ASA), presented information on KPBSD.
8:53:52 AM
PENNY VADLA, Vice President, Kenai Peninsula Borough School
Board, presented information about KPBSD. She described KPBSD's
diverse populations, a microcosm in the state due to its large
size. She said that KPBSD works to provide a quality diploma and
has prepared students using a variety of methods and programs to
be career ready or college ready.
MR. DUSEK added that they work hard to prepare students for
life. He pointed out that 419 students received industry
certifications. He described the Jumpstart program, which lets
students earn college credit.
8:55:57 AM
MS. VADLA explained the Effective Instruction Committee has
allowed schools, teachers, and partnerships to collaborate and
the district has become more efficient and effective. She
described how workshops and professional development training
allows teachers to be collaborative. The district has also
aligned curriculum and grades, which has allowed for best
practices. She gave examples of Classroom Without Walls, Hybrid
School, distance delivery, and partnerships, which allows
students to succeed and possibly to return to the community.
8:58:59 AM
MR. DUSEK described the Digital Technology Initiative (DTI),
partnerships, in which they use video conferencing and Skype for
Business. He showed a list of the district's innovative
programs. He said he is excited that KPBSD students will be
presenting how they facilitate video conferencing to the
legislature on February 22.
9:00:52 AM
MS. VADLA spoke of the offerings in the Career and Technical
Education (CTS) academies. She noted they are aligned with
Jumpstart and with vocational technology offered in Seward. She
said the district is well-rounded.
She stressed that a challenge to the district is the uncertainty
regarding education funding. A fiscal plan is needed that is
adequate and sustainable to provide a quality education for all
students. She stressed the importance of students' futures. She
thanked the committees for their time. She concluded that
"education is the most important thing that we do in this
state."
9:02:25 AM
CHAIR HUGHES thanked the presenters. She said she is excited to
hear from students. She requested that presenters submit written
documents. She noted the presence of Senator Giessel.
9:03:44 AM
DANNY FRAZIER, Superintendent, Dillingham City School District,
presented information on Dillingham City School District. He
shared a story about education management and the need for
schools to be innovative. He suggested that doing away with some
legislation would be helpful, such as unfunded mandates. He
requested sustainable funding and less unfunded mandates.
9:05:54 AM
CHAIR HUGHES suggested Mr. Frazier provide a list of the
unfunded mandates he would like to see removed.
9:06:05 AM
KEVIN SHIPLEY, Superintendent, Kake City School District,
presented information about the Kake City School District. He
noted their School Board has been very forward thinking and has
approved a resolution to adopt college and career indicators. He
said one of the indicators is that a student not need
remediation courses to enter college. ASSA has launched a
national campaign called "Redefining Readiness" which proposes
researched-based metrics and indicators that more accurately
reflect the educational landscape of the 21st Century, while
including multiple researched-based metrics that include
advanced placement courses, Algebra II, early college credits,
industry credentials, attendance, and community service, among
others. When implemented as part of the Alaska Performance
Indicators, it would give an accurate picture of student and
district performance, providing a consistent, fair, and long-
term solid road map for the state, business communities, and
school leaders to accurately effect and evaluate performance. He
stated advantages of the program, which is research based. He
concluded that the Kake City School Board wants to have 21st
Century accountability.
9:08:20 AM
CHAIR HUGHES thanked Mr. Shipley and requested that he send the
resolution electronically to the committee.
CHAIR DRUMMOND noted the arrival of Representative Reinbold.
9:08:49 AM
ANDI STORY, Vice President, Juneau School Board, presented
information about the Juneau Borough School District. She voiced
appreciation for the committee, the Governor's education budget,
and the Senator Majority's education survey.
She shared a program at Thunder Mountain High School (TMHS)
called Extension/Enrichment time scheduled within the school
day. It provides more minutes of instruction or enrichment.
Also, TMHS began a "caring alert" that consists of an online
form distributed to teachers and support staff for the purpose
of getting help for students. She said she is proud of their 100
percent Alaska Native graduation rate. She concluded that the
Juneau School District made the AP Honor roll last year, the
first school in Alaska with an enrollment of under 8,000 to
receive the award. It means that students scored a 3 or higher
on their AP tests.
9:11:18 AM
KATHY TRAN, Student, Juneau Douglas High School, presented
information about the Juneau Borough School District. She spoke
of gratitude for the education system, her teachers, peers, and
school programs and organizations, and for the legislature's
support of education.
9:12:22 AM
CHAIR HUGHES thanked the presenters.
9:12:32 AM
TAM AGOSTI-GISLER, President, Anchorage School Board, presented
information about the Anchorage School District. She listed
positives from the district: saving money by sharing services
with the Municipality of Anchorage, shifting the debt bond
reimbursement from a liability without impacting taxpayers, and
strategies for dealing with increasing health care costs through
an employer-sponsored clinic.
She described the Alaska Middle College Program in the Anchorage
School District. Anticipating that the demand will be greater
than the availability, she said they are looking at making the
Teen Career Center into a Middle College Campus.
9:14:30 AM
MS. AGOSTI-GISLER recalled a story when she was an at-risk
teacher about students that could not read. She said by third
grade, a student who is not literate, has a diminished chance of
graduating. She related that the Board has invested in a new K-2
curriculum, a reading program to improve reading proficiency.
They are also providing instructional coaches to help teachers
improve reading proficiency. She concluded that the district has
found a better measurement of academic progress in the MAP test,
which will be given in grades 3 - 8 because it provides more
information.
9:16:05 AM
STARR MARSETT, Member, Anchorage School Board, presented
information about the Anchorage School District. She explained
the expansion of Site-Based Behavioral Support that will be used
in four schools and will close the "segregated behavioral
school." It will help increase student learning, lower the
achievement gap, and create academic success. She shared her
son's success in site-based behavioral support.
9:17:59 AM
ANNA POTTER, Student, Anchorage School District, presented
information on the Anchorage School District. She spoke of the
Data Dashboard, a public service for education stakeholders that
lists problems in the district and proposed solutions. This
information can be found on the ASC website.
9:18:55 AM
HAILEY EDMONSON, Student, South Anchorage High School, Anchorage
School District, presented information about the Anchorage
School District. She listed several innovative programs in the
district like Lee Butterfield's Announcement, Media, and Drum
Class, and Captured Kids Heart, which trains teachers.
9:20:14 AM
PAT HIGGINS, Member, Anchorage School Board, presented
information about the Anchorage School District. He discussed
the impact of increased health care costs in the district,
especially health insurance. He said they are trying to address
the problem by having an employee clinic. He stressed the
importance of addressing the high costs of health care.
9:21:59 AM
ALEISHA MOLLEN, Member, Wrangell School Board, Wrangell Borough
School District, presented information about the Wrangell
Borough School District. She related that Commissioner Drygas
from the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
(DOTPF) reported that 75 percent of Alaska students are not
successful at getting a four-year degree. She said preparing
students for jobs is an area that needs work.
She noted that career and technology college programs are on the
rise, an area in which Wrangell exceeds. She described a
collaborative effort between the community and the school
district in which the local hospital provides instruction in the
Certified Nursing Assistant Program. The local fire department
provides EMT and ETT training. She described a fabrication
program the uses a 3-D printer to make musical instrument parts.
She highlighted the welding program. She concluded the
legislature to provide stable funding for those programs.
9:24:58 AM
STEWART MCDONALD, Superintendent, Kodiak Island Borough School
District (KIBSD), presented information about KIBSD. He noted
that KIBSD is known as a career/technology and research
district. He introduced four students in his district and shared
their stories. He stressed the importance of individual learning
and the uniqueness of Alaska. He spoke of high costs in rural
Alaska. He said district performance matters when they
collaborate with industry leaders that motivate students. He
provided examples of leadership partnerships in Akhiok School
and in the Yupiit School District. He concluded that KIBSD needs
sustainable education funding to remain innovative, focus on
individual students, and not let national statistics tell
Alaska's story.
9:30:24 AM
CHAIR HUGHES thanked the presenter.
9:30:51 AM
MARK SOMERVILLE, President, Copper River School Board,
introduced students from the Copper River School District.
AMANDA FRIENDSHUH, Student, Copper River School District (CRSD),
provided information about (CRSD). She provided a student's view
of an online classroom.
CHAIR HUGHES thanked Ms. Friendshuh and noted the committee has
been focusing on distant education. She thanked all the
presenters. She suggested committee members submit questions and
presenters submit presentations to her office.
CHAIR HUGHES announced the next meeting.
9:33:18 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND thanked the presenters and shared that she is
always inspired by school boards and students.
9:33:33 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Hughes adjourned the joint meeting of the Senate and House
Education Standing Committees at 9:33 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| WhatIsAASB-Norm2017.pptx |
SEDC 2/13/2017 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Straight up Facts FY17.pdf |
SEDC 2/13/2017 8:00:00 AM |
|
| 2017 KPBSD Legislative Priorities.pdf |
SEDC 2/13/2017 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Budget Handout details for reference from finance department.docx |
SEDC 2/13/2017 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Position Talking Points SWRSD Draft3.pdf |
SEDC 2/13/2017 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Anchorage School District Documents.pdf |
SEDC 2/13/2017 8:00:00 AM |
|
| St. Mary's School District Relevant Instruction.pdf |
SEDC 2/13/2017 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Kake School District Overview and Resolution.pdf |
SEDC 2/13/2017 8:00:00 AM |