Legislature(2017 - 2018)CAPITOL 106
03/29/2017 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
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| Presentation: Alaska State School Board | |
| Adjourn |
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
JOINT MEETING
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 29, 2017
8:03 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: ALASKA STATE SCHOOL BOARD
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
JAMES FIELDS, Chair
Alaska State Board of Education
Glennallen, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on the State School
Board.
SUE HULL, First Vice Chair
Alaska State School Board
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on the State School
Board.
JOHN HARMON, Second Vice Chair
Alaska State School Board
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on the State School
Board.
BARBARA THOMPSON, Member
Alaska State School Board
Douglas, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on the State School
Board.
WILFRIED ZIBELL, Youth Advisor
Alaska State School Board
Noorvik, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on the State School
Board.
CHARLES MICHAEL, Youth Advisor - Elect
Alaska State School Board
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on the State School
Board.
REBECCA HIMSCHOOT, Member
Alaska State School Board
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on the State School
Board.
LT. COLONIAL JASON TOOLE, Military Advisor
Joint Base Elmendorf
Alaska State School Board
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on the State School
Board.
DR. KEITH HAMILTON, Member
Alaska State School Board
President
Alaska Christian College
Member
Alaska Commission on Post-Secondary Education
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on the State School
Board.
KENNY GALLAHORN, Member
Alaska State School Board
Kotzebue, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on the State School
Board.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:03:42 AM
CHAIR HARRIET DRUMMOND called the joint meeting of the Senate
and House Education Standing Committees to order at 8:03 a.m.
Present at the call to order were Senators Begich, Giessel,
Coghill, Stevens, and Chair Hughes, and Representatives Kopp,
Fansler, Johnston, Spohnholz, Talerico, and Chair Drummond.
^PRESENTATION: Alaska State School Board
PRESENTATION: Alaska State School Board
8:05:03 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND announced a presentation by the Alaska State
School Board. She noted that all seven voting members were
present, as well as the military advisor and both student
members. She said it will be a very informal meeting and Mr.
Fields will act as moderator.
8:06:21 AM
JAMES FIELDS, Chair, Alaska State Board of Education, presented
information on the State School Board. He introduced himself.
CHAIR DRUMMOND noted the presence of Commissioner Johnson and
that Representative Parish joined the meeting.
8:07:09 AM
MR. FIELDS thanked the committees for the opportunity to be here
today. He was grateful for the chance to collaborate with both
Education Committees. He related that the State Board of
Education has been working toward a plan with the goal of
transforming the way student learning happens in the state. The
next step in the plan is the Alaska Education Challenge with
five strategic objectives. He said Commissioner Johnson is
forming committees to dive into providing "an excellent
education for every student every day," which is the Board's
mission statement.
MR. FIELDS related that with committee members from a wide
variety of stakeholder groups, including legislators,
administrators, local school board members, parents, teachers,
business leaders, the Board is hopeful that transformative ideas
and action steps will come forward and have widespread support
to then move forward and be implemented throughout Alaska. He
noted there are pockets of transformative work in the state, and
the goal is to take those ideas and allow them to be used
throughout the state.
MR. FIELDS pointed out that the Education Committees are
critical in the process and the Board wants to hear their
concerns, comments, and ideas related to the Alaska Education
Challenge. The Board looks forward to having committee members
join the various committees Commissioner Johnson is forming.
He introduced members of the Board.
8:08:59 AM
SUE HULL, First Vice Chair, Alaska State School Board, presented
information on the State School Board. She said she has been
active in education for years and served on the Board in the
80s. She said she is excited to be a part of the Alaska
Education Challenge. There is a hunger for transformation in
education among education stakeholders and the public. She said
the Board is strong and energetic and is focused on kids.
8:09:57 AM
JOHN HARMON, Second Vice Chair, Alaska State School Board,
presented information on the State School Board. He said he is
from the Mat-Su Valley and his family has been in Alaska a long
time. He practiced law for many years and then returned to
Alaska and has worked as a high school principal. Next year he
will teach high school English.
8:10:38 AM
BARBARA THOMPSON, Member, Alaska State School Board, presented
information on the State School Board. She said she has been in
education about 40 years in various roles; adult education,
Department of Education, and at the national level with the
Education Commission of the States. She is pleased to serve on
the Board and excited about how the Alaska Education Challenge
will impact student achievement and teacher preparation and
effectiveness.
8:11:16 AM
WILFRIED ZIBELL, Youth Advisor, Alaska State School Board,
presented information on the State School Board. He said he is a
high school senior and is an honor to have served on the Board.
He is looking forward to the Alaska Education Challenge.
8:11:44 AM
CHARLES MICHAEL, Youth Advisor - Elect, Alaska State School
Board, presented information on the State School Board. He said
he will be the next Youth Advisor on the Board.
8:12:01 AM
REBECCA HIMSCHOOT, Member, Alaska State School Board, presented
information on the State School Board. She said she is a teacher
and is she is grateful to serve on the energized Board. She
recognized two former students in the room.
8:12:38 AM
LT. COLONIAL JASON TOOLE, Military Advisor, Joint Base
Elmendorf, Alaska State School Board, presented information on
the State School Board.
8:12:45 AM
DR. KEITH HAMILTON, Member, Alaska State School Board,
President, Alaska Christian College, and Member, Alaska
Commission on Post-Secondary Education, presented information on
the State School Board. He said he is grateful for the unified
Board which is moving ahead with the Alaska Education Challenge.
8:13:45 AM
KENNY GALLAHORN, Member, Alaska State School Board, presented
information on the State School Board. He said education is
important to him and his family. He represents the rural
districts. He appreciated the work the Education Committees
does. He said he is result oriented.
8:15:03 AM
MR. FIELDS shared that he is from the Copper River School
District and has served on the local school board there for
seven years and the State Board for four years. He said he is
the REAA member to the Board.
CHAIR HUGHES said she is delighted that the whole Board is here.
She asked about their work ensuring that graduates are ready to
attend the university and not needing remediation. She referred
to an article about students with high GPAs needing remedial
course work.
8:15:54 AM
MS. HULL said she chairs a joint committee of the State Board
and the University Regents which is charged with nine elements:
creating a culture of education, reducing developmental course
work, expanding concurrent enrollment, improving educative
preparation, expanding Alaska educator recruitment, ensuring
educator retention, simplifying the transfer of credit, and
ensuring smooth transitions.
She stated that education needs greater systems of
accountability, and the use of today's technology as a method to
ensure that quality is tracked all along. Both the Board of
Regents and the State Board are aware of the remediation
problem. Several of the Alaska Education Challenge committees
are focused on student achievement and accountability and will
come out with recommendations.
8:18:04 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND noted the presence of Representative Reinbold.
MR. FIELDS assumed that student achievement would be included in
all five of the Alaska Education Challenge priorities.
8:18:41 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON commented that students who did not do
remedial courses had a greater success rate than students who
were put into remedial courses. She asked how they planned to
raise the bar for those students.
MS. HULL responded that the goal is that students not have to
take remedial classes at the university level.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON clarified that maybe bright students
were being put into remedial classes and didn't belong there.
Expectations for success were not there.
MS. HULL said she believes that Representative Johnston
suggested accelerating remedial classes. She said the emphasis
should instead be on not having to take remedial classes. The
way to do that is to ensure that grades reflect actual
achievement.
8:20:45 AM
MS. HIMSCHOOT added that defining "remedial" should come first.
She also commented on the need to have students reading by third
grade or they would need remediation all the way through school.
8:21:35 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND followed up on the comment about reading by third
grade and how critical that is, as is pre-K education. She asked
where pre-K is on the Board's priorities. She emphasized that it
is the Department of Education and "Early Development."
MS. HIMSCHOOT noted there is a lot of interest and importance
placed on pre-K education and it will be addressed in the Alaska
Education Challenge in every committee. She stressed that
working with parents is important, as is high quality pre-K
education.
8:23:25 AM
SENATOR BEGICH recommended looking at the early education bill
to be heard on the Senate Floor today.
8:24:24 AM
MR. FIELDS pointed to the importance of community involvement in
pre-K education.
SENATOR BEGICH noted there is a specific component for cultural
and community collaboration in the bill.
8:24:51 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH said he attended the Juneau School Board
meeting yesterday and heard their budget process. He asked what
support the legislature can provide to the State School Board.
8:25:47 AM
MR. FIELDS replied that a sustained fiscal plan for local school
districts and certainty in the state budget are critical. He
shared his viewpoint as a business owner. Governor Walker
proposed $250,000 for the Alaska Education Challenge to move it
forward. He maintained that the state has the right leadership
in place and the right alignment between the Governor and the
legislature to invest in education. Also, there is a strong
State Board and buy-in with stakeholders around the state to
move the plan forward.
8:27:23 AM
MR. HARMON said a quote from John Kennedy comes to mind when he
is asked that question, "Children are our most valuable resource
and our best hope for the future." He opined that the state's
priority should be to invest in children.
8:28:25 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND said, from her experience being on a local school
board, the timing of the budget is of the utmost importance. She
pointed out that the state's budget begins on July 1, and the
longer the legislature waits to finalize a budget, the harder it
is for communities to write theirs.
8:29:08 AM
SENATOR STEVENS spoke of concerns about dual credit - high
school/college credits. He wanted to ensure that those credits
are at college credit level.
8:29:51 AM
MS. HULL said in Fairbanks the same teacher teaches a course at
the university and at the high school. She suggested having
teachers with good credentials and evidence of performance for
students. She sees a need to pursue dual credits in order to
save money.
8:30:54 AM
DR. HAMILTON said that Alaska is behind in the dual credit
program. The Alaska Education Challenge can change that.
He noted the transfer of university credits is still a problem.
He provided an example of credits earned from Association for
Career and Technical Education (ACTE) colleges that do not
transfer to the UA system. He suggested continuing to look at
how to take the barriers down between the dual credit and credit
transfer issues.
8:32:52 AM
MR. ZIBELL agreed with the previous comments. He described what
is done in his school district; students can take online courses
from the university. He suggested to forge partnerships between
the university and districts.
8:34:10 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP followed up on the need for remediation and
integrating K-12 and post-secondary education. He agreed with a
stronger integration of standards and a unified approach. He
asked if the discussion is leading the Board to encourage K-12
to be less focused on a graduation rate and more focused on
rigorous courses and aligned standards that match expectancy of
the university system.
8:35:28 AM
MR. MICHAEL said part of the Board's goal is to have local
control over curriculum. An example is that in the Mat-Su they
are updating the history curriculum to better reflect what a
college history course will be like.
8:36:24 AM
MS. HULL did not want to get away from caring about graduation
rates. She thought students being prepared was also important.
She used the state of Virginia as an example of how students
choose a track to follow for post-secondary preparation -
differentiated diplomas.
8:37:39 AM
MR. FIELDS said the Board has had training in standardized
learning and aligning all standards so every student can be
successful at all levels. Defining success is important.
8:38:43 AM
MR. HARMON said Representative Kopp asked a great question.
Something exciting in education now is the implementation of
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which will give more control
back to the states in all areas. It will provide an opportunity
to be innovative and to solve some of Alaska's challenges.
8:39:37 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND voiced concerned about what is going on in
Washington, D.C., in terms of ESSA. She has heard that it has
been paused and asked what that means regarding the September
deadline.
8:40:04 AM
MS. HIMSCHOOT said she is serving in a fellowship on the
National Science Foundation for a year. Their focus is on ESSA
and there is no pause, only a repeal of Obama regulations.
States are allowed to respond to the law and Alaska is on track.
There has been a lot of stakeholder engagement. She maintained
that ESSA and the Alaska Education Challenge fit well together.
8:41:59 AM
CHAIR HUGHES asked what the Board is doing to ensure enough, and
the best, teachers. There is a national shortage of teachers,
the cost of teacher turnover is very high, and there is loss of
student learning. She stressed the importance of family
involvement and great teachers in a child's education. They have
been looking at virtual education which would provide access to
great teachers statewide. She asked what the Board is doing in
those areas.
8:43:27 AM
MS. THOMPSON said one of the major focus areas of the strategic
plan is ensuring educator excellence; it also will be a focus of
the Alaska Education Challenge. The mentoring program no longer
exists as it was. They anticipate working with the university on
teacher preparation and alternative methods of certification.
8:45:22 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND said she is fascinated by Representative Kress-
Thompkins' bill on the limited teacher certificate. She asked
whether the Board is aware of HB 102, which the House Education
Committee passed out of committee.
8:46:04 AM
MR. FIELDS said he was updated on the bill, but the Board does
not have a position on it. Any time they can help improve
teacher proficiency and increase the number of teachers they
will. This issue is on the Board's priority list. It is critical
that the Alaska Education Challenge committees come up with
ideas and action steps, so the Board can implement them.
8:47:21 AM
MS. HIMSHOOT drew attention to the issue as a nationwide problem
of recruiting and retention of teachers. She pointed out that
looking at alternate pathways to becoming teachers needs to be a
conversation with all stakeholders involved. She wants to see a
comprehensive conversation to ensure that the quality of
teachers is maintained.
8:48:53 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND suggested ensuring excellent educators be a part
of the five priorities.
8:49:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PARISH said he went to a hearing on the proposed
defined benefits program for state workers. He provided an
example of a teacher who was leaving Alaska for a defined
benefits pension in another state. He also knows of a police
officer who said the same thing. He opined that Tier 4 state
workers are incentivized to move from the state after five
years. He asked if a defined benefits option might retain
teachers.
8:50:49 AM
DR. HAMILTON said absolutely. He pointed out that "home-grown
educators" are retained in Alaska. The investment in those
teachers is vital because they will not leave Alaska.
8:51:41 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND pointed out that the state is not producing
enough teachers and the Anchorage District will be laying off 99
teachers. She suggested making a connection there.
8:52:20 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FANSLER said there has been a focus on
cooperative opportunities between districts and the use of
broadband for education. He asked for options to bridge the gap
for broadband disparity and for suggestions about the advantages
of distance education.
8:53:29 AM
MS. HULL agreed that there are significant broadband issues. The
key is finding how to enable districts to use what bandwidth
they have. All districts should be looking for opportunities to
expand access to bandwidth. She agreed there are inequities.
8:55:00 AM
MR. FIELDS commented that Valdez and Glennallen have used
federal grant money for fiber optic expansion. He suggested
collaboration between schools and businesses.
8:56:01 AM
MS. HIMSHOOT added that with digital learning the relationship
with the teacher is the number one factor for success. Teachers
often provide stability for students not available at home.
8:56:46 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND agreed.
8:56:59 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FANSLER stressed the importance of cultural
integration into the curriculum, including in teaching methods.
He asked for recommendations in that area.
8:57:53 AM
MS. HIMSHOOT agreed it was important. She said the Southeast
Regional Resource Center is doing outreach throughout the state
to support cultural competencies. She noted the importance of
including all cultures. The said that the Educator Excellence
Committee would be looking at that.
8:58:53 AM
MR. ZIBELL agreed. He shared that they have culture camp for all
new teachers in his district.
8:59:58 AM
MS. THOMPSON said curriculum development and execution takes
place at the local level and the Board encourages that. The
members of the Alaska Education Challenge support that it is an
important way to get students to learn and have learning be
relevant.
9:00:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON spoke of great innovation and
entrepreneurial work taking place in many districts. They are
beginning, on their own, to do some cross fertilization. She
asked how the Board plans to amplify this direction.
9:01:43 AM
MS. HULL said the Board has to encourage collaboration and
innovations. She thought it would be one of the Board's
recommendations. She mentioned digital possibilities to make
people aware of what is available. She thought the Board could
provide a unified system of support while ensuring quality
programs.
9:04:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON said she sees innovation already
happening around districts. She understood that the commission
and the department could act as a clearinghouse, but she also
wants to allow for growth and innovation to continue.
MS. HULL agreed and gave an example a way to do that - using a
model of choices related to professional development.
9:06:00 AM
MR. FIELDS said the goal is to have districts choose to do that.
He said leadership matters and he opined that good leadership is
in place and he thought stakeholders were aligned. He was
hopeful that it could be done.
9:07:22 AM
SENATOR STEVENS brought up the need for, and importance of,
civics education to create student citizens.
9:08:14 AM
MR. MICHAEL said he is on the curriculum council in his
district. They have been working on the social studies
curriculum with the goal to make good citizens, starting with
Civics and ending with U.S. Government. He opined that it is not
the place of the state to tell districts to create citizens.
There is a need to focus on local control.
9:09:47 AM
MR. HARMON shared that the Board adopted a new vision that all
students can succeed in their education and work, shape
worthwhile and satisfying lives for themselves, exemplify the
best values of society, and be effective in improving the
character and quality of the world around them. He said it is a
priority as it relates to civics and society.
9:10:50 AM
SENATOR STEVENS stressed that it is not enough to say, "let the
local community take care of it." He recalled when he was a
student he studied current events, history, and wanted to vote.
He thought it was the Board's job to ensure that every child in
Alaska has an understanding of his or her responsibility as a
citizen.
9:11:36 AM
MS. HULL offered that a practical tool is looking at what is
expected of graduates. She said that she and Ms. Thompson will
be chairing the Student Achievement Committee and will propose
to define what is expected from graduates. A graduate profile
will include content knowledge, but also communication,
collaboration, and civics. Students today don't have clear
expectations of those other skill requirements.
9:13:33 AM
SENATOR BEGICH asked Mr. Michael what he hopes to accomplish on
the Board.
He echoed Senator Stevens' comments about civics. He said
democracy fails if we don't educate students. Currently, school
success is measured by content area success, but that is a
failed approach to education. We don't teach critical thinking.
We have gone the wrong direction.
He agreed that digital learning requires a quality teacher in
the classroom. Teacher retention requires treating teachers well
and paying them well. He opined that Alaska-raised teachers do
not remain in the state. He stressed the need to address teacher
pay and teacher retirement benefits.
He noted, in the process of this and next legislative sessions,
several issues may pass into law before the Alaska Education
Challenge has been met. He asked what the Board needs from the
legislature in terms of policy education.
9:17:47 AM
MR. FIELDS responded that he has looked at SB 96 and there are
many great elements in the bill that will be touched on by the
Alaska Education Challenge.
SENATOR BEGICH clarified that he is not asking about any
specific bills, but about how the legislature might address
issues of policy that are important to the Board.
MR. FIELDS requested time to get through the Alaska Education
Challenge process and then support for it. He reiterated that
leadership and timing matter and they are in place. He pointed
out that the legislature will participate on the committees and
will have a say. In December 2017 the Board will have action
steps.
9:19:20 AM
MR. HARMON recommended the legislature consider "an excellent
education for every student every day" as the primary lens.
9:20:23 AM
MR. GALLAHORN thanked Senator Begich for his comment about
treating teachers well. He stressed the importance of having
good teachers and paying them well by using part of the budget.
9:21:56 AM
CHAIR DRUMMOND asked outgoing student, Mr. Zibell, and incoming
student, Mr. Michael, what their experience has been on the
Board and how it has changed how they views their schools.
9:22:43 AM
MR. ZIBELL said he has had the opportunity to shape policy,
provide input, and help direct plans, in a very real way. It has
been a validating experience to show that students are valued
and are the first stakeholders in education. He believes that
the education system in Alaska will persevere.
MR. MICHAEL said it is nice to see people working hard to make
Alaska education the best it can be. He replied to Senator
Begich's question saying he will serve on the Modernization and
Finance Committee for the Alaska Education Challenge.
In response to the civics question, he said his school now
offers three Advanced Placement World History courses online
that are at the college level.
He concluded that he hopes to help make education the best it
can be for students in Alaska.
9:26:11 AM
MS. THOMPSON responded to the question regarding what the
legislature can do to help the Board. She noted what comes out
of the Alaska Education Challenge, no matter when it is done,
requires a sustainable fiscal plan.
She referred to the question on civics education, and pointed
out that the Civics Education Task Force has done an amazing
amount of work. Their recommendations are directly applicable to
the Board and DEED in many ways. She maintained that their goals
can be achieved by many methods, such as updating the standards.
She promised that civic education goals will not get lost.
9:28:15 AM
SENATOR GIESSEL made announcements, as did Chair Drummond.
9:30:18 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Drummond adjourned the Joint Education Standing Committees
at 9:30 a.m.
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