Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
02/17/2021 09:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation: Alaska State Board of Education Report | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s) | |
| 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
February 17, 2021
9:03 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Roger Holland, Chair
Senator Gary Stevens, Vice Chair
Senator Shelley Hughes
Senator Peter Micciche
Senator Tom Begich
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION: STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT BY JAMES FIELDS
- HEARD
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
State Board of Education and Early Development
Keith Hamilton - Soldotna
Lorri Van Diest - Palmer
Sally Stockhausen - Ketchikan
Jeffrey Erickson - Unalakleet
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
JAMES FIELDS, Chair
State Board of Education
Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
Glennallen, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave a presentation on the State Board of
Education.
MICHAEL JOHNSON, Ph.D., Commissioner
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions about education during
the State Board of Education presentation.
KEITH HAMILTON, Ph.D., Appointee
Board of Education and Early Development
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Education and Early Development.
LORRI VAN DIEST, Appointee
Board of Education and Early Development
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Education and Early Development.
SALLY STOCKHAUSAN, Appointee
Board of Education and Early Development
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Education and Early Development.
JEFF ERICKSON, Appointee
Board of Education and Early Development
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
Unalakleet, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Education and Early Development.
ACTION NARRATIVE
9:03:05 AM
CHAIR ROGER HOLLAND called the Senate Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Stevens, Hughes, Micciche, Begich, and Chair
Holland.
^PRESENTATION: ALASKA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT
PRESENTATION: ALASKA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT
9:03:40 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND announced the presentation the Alaska State Board
of Education Report by Board Chair James Fields.
9:04:56 AM
JAMES FIELDS, Chair, State Board of Education, Glennallen,
Alaska, said he will give a summary of the report to the
legislature, which is in the committee packet. Board members
include educators, administrators, local board members, like
himself, and people with diverse backgrounds, including its
military and student advisors. It is a well-rounded board.
MR. FIELDS reviewed the mission of the board--An excellent
education for every student every day; its vision--All students
will 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 about them. Alaska Statute 14.03.015; and
purpose--DEED exists to provide information, resources, and
leadership to support an excellent education for every student
every day.
MR. FIELDS shared the strategic priorities from Alaska's
Education Challenge (AEC): 1. Support all students to read at
grade level by the end of third grade 2. Increase career,
technical, and culturally relevant education to meet student and
workforce needs 3. Close the achievement gap by ensuring
equitable educational rigor and resources 4. Prepare, attract,
and retain effective education professionals 5. Improve the
safety and well-being of students through school partnerships
with families, communities, and tribes.
9:08:03 AM
SENATOR BEGICH asked him to review what Alaska's Education
Challenge is and how the five priorities emerged.
MR. FIELDS replied that several years ago the board tasked the
commissioner and the Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED) to put together a large group to determine
strategic priorities. Five work groups involving more than 140
people, including legislators, put in a lot of work and time to
create the priorities.
SENATOR BEGICH shared that many times when the committee
discusses bills, the senators often ask how the legislation fits
the AEC. So much work was put into creating the priorities that
they are making sure that legislation meet those priorities from
all across the spectrum.
MR. FIELDS reviewed the Board Action Highlights on slide 5:
• Adopted emergency regulation changes to ensure funding to
eligible school districts under Senate Bill 74 to improve
Internet services under the School Broadband Assistance
Grant program.
• Adopted regulation changes to allow military training with
the Alaska Army National Guard to count for high school
credit and be available to all eligible high school
students in Alaska.
• Adopted amendments to update the state's school library
standards.
• Repealed and replaced regulations to allow the issuance of
emergency administrative certificates and some emergency
teacher certificates.
SENATOR HUGHES asked whether repealing and replacing regulations
was done under the disaster declaration. She asked if the
competency test for out-of-state teachers was waived.
MR. FIELDS deferred the question to the commissioner.
9:11:55 AM
MICHAEL JOHNSON, Ph.D., Commissioner, Department of Education
and Early Development (DEED), Juneau, Alaska, replied that
certain actions were taken as part of the disaster declaration
to make it easier for teachers to receive certification. This
also refers to action the board took to permanently change
regulation to make it easier for districts to certify someone
quickly for roles that they couldn't find someone else for. This
was a regulation change that the board put out for public
comment and adopted.
SENATOR HUGHES asked if that involved anything with competency
testing.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON replied he did not have the regulation in
front of him, but he did not think so.
9:13:21 AM
SENATOR STEVENS referred to the first bullet about internet
services and broadband. He said he spoke to U.S. Senator
Murkowski last night and she expected additional federal funds
in the next round of federal funding. He asked what the plans
are for the internet and broadband.
9:14:00 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON responded that the issue is being addressed
in a positive way from multiple directions. Alaska Telecom
Association has been a great partner for DEED during the
pandemic in trying to meet the needs of students throughout the
state. The last Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
(CARES) Act had a provision for money to go directly through
telecom providers for families to offset the cost of home
internet. That is not run through the department but through the
federal government to providers. Senator Murkowski's staff has
been helping DEED understand what is happening with some
considerations for broadening the E-rate program so that could
be used for home internet in some locations. The upcoming bill
has more money in it. Yesterday he was in a call and learned the
next package has at least $7 billion to address broadband issues
for education. DEED will learn more about that as it works its
way through Congress. DEED worked hard so that BAG (Broadband
Assistance Grant) awards continue to be maximized. DEED was able
to include more districts in that. DEED is trying to receive
input and outwardly address broadband from multiple angles to
make sure the kids who need it are connected.
9:16:48 AM
SENATOR STEVENS observed that that is exciting and a tremendous
opportunity for the state to help its students. He appreciates
the work the commissioner is doing in terms of internet and
broadband.
SENATOR BEGICH asked what the amount was in the package for
broadband and how much of that would be for Alaska.
9:17:16 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON replied that yesterday he heard $7 billion.
He doesn't know how much will go to Alaska. The last act had
$3.2 billion for an emergency broadband benefit program with
perhaps a billion for tribal broadband programs. There are
multiple parts of the relief packages that deal with broadband.
He will try to work with the telecom industry to get a complete
list of all the different elements that have been funded with
various packages.
SENATOR BEGICH asked how much Alaska would need, conservatively,
to get to a decent speed to ensure kids have access to broadband
across the state.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON answered that the economy of broadband is
outside of his area of expertise. He has heard different numbers
of what it would take to connect every part of the state since
he has been commissioner. It changes yearly because more places
get connected as fiber is laid and technology like satellites is
used. He is not qualified to give an amount.
9:19:25 AM
SENATOR STEVENS added that he hopes there is recognition of
Alaska's situation when it comes to internet and broadband. The
state is in the buggy-and-whip stage compared to the rest of the
country. He hopes Congress will recognize that Alaska has
enormous needs compared to much of the rest of country when it
comes to connectivity.
SENATOR HUGHES said that in addition to COVID legislation before
Congress, there is also legislation about general infrastructure
and a chance for broadband funding through that. The
Congressional delegation understands that the information
highway needs support just like roads, bridges, and airports.
There may be money for this from the COVID bill and a capital
infrastructure bill.
MR. FIELDS presented DEED Significant Steps on slide six:
Alaska Project AWARE Grant
DEED was awarded a five-year, $9.1 million Project AWARE
(Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) grant from
the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA).
• The grant will assist the state in improving mental
health by growing mental health literacy, reducing
mental health stigma, strengthening early
identification and intervention for student mental
health conditions, as well as providing more robust
services for students who are experiencing severe
mental health issues.
Transforming Schools Toolkit
• DEED, in collaboration with the Association of Alaska
School Boards (AASB), launched a new trauma- engaged
resourcea toolkit to complement the Transforming
Schools Trauma Framework completed last year. The
toolkit is a supplemental and highly practical online
resource to assist Alaska schools becoming fully
trauma engaged and practicing. The toolkit is intended
for districts to use with staff.
Alaska Safe Children's Act Statewide Curriculum
• The Health and Safety Unit completed construction of a
state authored student training to support districts
with the implementation of the Alaska Safe Children's
Act in grades 7-12. The curriculum is designed to help
prevent childhood sexual abuse and teen dating abuse.
9:22:34 AM
SENATOR MICCICHE asked if the board has a report on the
effectiveness of the Alaska's Safe Children Act.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON responded that DEED will follow up and
provide any reports associated with the grant. The Alaska's Safe
Children Act curriculum has been in development and is ready to
roll out. DEED has been working with advocates and others on
timing since some students were not in school in the fall. It is
an exciting course with video and other resources. It is going
to be landing in schools in the coming weeks and months. It will
be a great resource.
SENATOR MICCICHE said he is also looking for any metrics that
may show COVID-related impacts on students.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON responded that his health and safety team
will work with districts to find out what type of metrics could
or should be collected on that.
SENATOR HUGHES said the legislature has heard that many students
have struggled during the pandemic from social isolation and
there may be increased mental health issues like depression. She
asked if DEED and the state board are looking at any
reallocation of funds to implement any new strategies for mental
health. She also asked for an explanation of a trauma-engaged
resource.
9:26:21 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said that the Project AWARE grant and
another grant with the Fairbanks School District are designed to
identify effective methods to support students with mental and
behavioral health. Those are ongoing as more is learned about
the impacts of COVID on students. That is work that will be
happening across the country. DEED will be working with partners
at the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). These
are sensitive issues. The trauma-informed framework recognizes
that some students come to school with trauma. The framework is
a series of modules that support educators in identifying when
there may be trauma and its impacts and how to support those
students and policies around that. The DEED website has the
entire framework.
9:28:40 AM
SENATOR BEGICH noted that the Alaska Safe Children's Act emerged
in part from the work of Butch and Cindy Moore and the death of
their daughter Bree. He confirmed that they worked closely with
the commissioner and were integral in developing the curriculum.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON replied that is correct. The Moores
reviewed and provided feedback on the curriculum. They will be
part of the rollout. The Moores have been close partners with
the department and others in the development of the Alaska's
Safe Children Act.
SENATOR BEGICH commended the commissioner and his staff for
working with the Moores.
9:29:50 AM
MR. FIELDS reviewed DEED Significant Steps Increased Focus on
Third Grade Reading Proficiency on slide 7:
DEED received a $20.7 million five-year Comprehensive
Literacy State Develop (CLSD) grant from the U.S.
Department of Education to expand the state's efforts to
improve literacy skills for all students.
• Sixteen district projects were selected for funding,
involving students from birth through grade 12 in 45
different schools.
• Subgrant awards were finalized and announced on
January 17, 2020.
Project highlights include professional development in
effective reading instruction for teachers, hiring reading
specialists, incorporating new and innovative reading
instruction, and more.
• Five out of the 16 district projects focus on the K-5
grade span, specifically targeting students reading at
grade level by third grade.
SENATOR MICCICHE pointed out that in the actual report on page
8, it talks about the waiving of testing requirements for ACT,
SAT, and WorkKeys. He asked if any work was being done on remote
testing options for students who need these tests.
MR. FIELDS deferred to the commissioner.
9:31:51 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON said the SAT and ACT are given by companies
that set the parameters for how those will be administered. He
does not have the latest update. The companies make those
determinations and DEED works with them. DEED also works with
the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) about
any waivers regarding those assessments for the Alaska
Performance Scholarship, which will be waived again this year.
ACPE just met and he hasn't had a briefing on the last meeting.
For statewide testing, the department is waiting for more
guidance from the federal government. DEED is proceeding as
though the statewide test will be administered. It is important
to find out where students are at so resources can be targeted
to the students who have been most impacted.
SENATOR MICCICHE noted that for the first time the graduation
rate dropped in 2020. He asked if that is COVID-related or is
the state losing ground.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON replied they don't know. It is working with
districts to find out. He wants to be careful about making
judgements about data from the last year. It could be COVID-
related, but he does not want to assume that. If it is not, the
state wants to be aggressive about what caused it and how to
address it. DEED has to work with school districts to get a
window into that information and data about students and what
may or may not have resulted in dropouts. That will be done as
part of the recovery from last year.
9:34:38 AM
SENATOR STEVENS said he appreciates the report but didn't see
anything specifically about civics education. One of the
original purposes of a free public education system in the
country was the need to have educated citizens. He knows the
commissioner pays attention to that and some districts have been
successful with it and other districts have not done much.
Everyone needs to keep attention on it. The state needs
legislators, people working in state government, governors,
commissioners, and people in Congress who have a good, solid
basis in civics education. He has no criticism about what the
department is doing, but hopes that the department keeps
attention on that and that the state doesn't falter in making
sure that it is creating citizens who understand its government.
9:35:49 AM
SENATOR HUGHES observed that the final paragraph on page 7 of
the report discusses what was suspended during the disaster so
that districts could focus on restart efforts and continuing
instruction for students. She is concerned because districts did
not have to report on operating fund balance amounts,
performance designations, and certain accountability indicators,
in addition to changes to coursework and testing requirements
for teachers and student teacher licenses and the prescribed
length of student teaching. She can understand the suspension
of student teaching because kids weren't in the classroom. She
asked why districts were not required to provide information
from previous years to hold them accountable. That is
information they could have been working on remotely, and the
coursework and test requirements for teachers and students could
have been done virtually.
9:37:16 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON thanked Senator Stevens for the
admonishment. His heart is aligned with the senator's in terms
of the importance of civics education. The last year has
validated and enhanced that. He looks forward to continue to
work with Senator Stevens on that. Yesterday he had a meeting
with several people about ways the department can promote civics
education, perhaps through podcasts and supporting materials. It
is on the department's radar. He clarified with Senator Hughes
what she was describing. The 10 percent carry over waiver simply
allowed districts to add more to their fund balance. They are
still required to do a full audit and submit that data to the
department, which posts that information. There are some federal
programs that allowed carry over of funds and delayed reporting
requirements. The performance designations are part of the
accountability system based on state testing, which did not take
place in March and April of 2020, so that data wasn't available.
There was some measure of reporting, Report Card to the Public,
and the department continued to work with districts that were
identified as needing comprehensive or targeted support.
SENATOR HUGHES asked the commissioner to follow up with more
information about what was suspended and why.
SENATOR BEGICH asked that given the expiration of the most
recent order whether anything was still suspended.
9:40:08 AM
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON answered that nothing is currently
suspended. The department sends a detailed monthly report to the
legislature on what was suspended and the rationale. He is not
aware of anything that is currently suspended. Because of all
the federal money coming to districts, the department continues
to advocate for a waiver of the 10 percent carry over simply to
allow districts the flexibility of managing those funds in the
most efficient and effective manner.
SENATOR BEGICH said that carry over has now kicked back in, so
there is a 10 percent limit. Senator Hughes is proposing an
increase to that limit more permanently. He asked if any receipt
authority or ability to receive federal funds has been affected
by the end of the order. The legislature has received
conflicting messages over the last few weeks as to what is or
isn't going to be lost without an emergency order. Only one
other state in the union doesn't have an emergency order. One
example is that with the end of the order SNAP funding is being
lost at the Department of Health and Social Services. If there
will be no effect at DEED, the committee should know that.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON answered for the packages that already
passed, he is not aware of any additional receipt authority
needed. Another package is being debated and DEED's team is
monitoring that. DEED is monitoring Child Nutrition carefully.
That is run by the Department of Agriculture at the federal
level. The Child Nutrition team is on alert to identify any area
that may be impacted and will let the governor's office know
immediately.
SENATOR BEGICH asked the commissioner to please extend that
courtesy to the committee as well.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON replied that he would be to do that.
9:43:23 AM
SENATOR MICCICHE said that the governor issued a letter to
commissioners to report back on gaps that may be problematic if
there is not a new health order. He asked Commissioner Johnson
if he was included with that.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON answered that he received the memo and his
team is looking at any gaps that may exist. DEED will be working
with school districts also for that information.
SENATOR HUGHES said that part of the report is about an
increased focus on third grade reading proficiency and $20.7
million for that. She asked if that dovetails with the policy
proposals of read by nine that are currently before the
committee.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON responded that those funds are through the
comprehensive literacy state development grant from the federal
government. DEED is doing what it can to make sure it aligns
with the three important components of the Alaska Reads Act.
However, most of that money goes directly to districts who work
within the framework of the grant to spend the money.
9:45:28 AM
MR. FIELDS concluded by thanking the commissioner and department
and all the staff. They all know that 2020 was a difficult year.
He saw that from serving on a local school board. DEED fulfilled
its purpose, "DEED exists to provide information, resources, and
leadership to support an excellent education for every student
every day," through all of 2020. The department went above and
beyond to keep education and students as the focal point through
the pandemic. Some things the board wanted to get done was put
on the back burner, but he wants to recognize the commissioner
and his leadership during 2020.
CHAIR HOLLAND noted that it was great to see the optimism and
motivation in the conversations the committee had with
superintendents last week. He noted that the complete board
report was available on the Senate website.
^Confirmation Hearing(s)
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Board of Education and Early Development
9:47:21 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND announced the consideration of the four governor
appointees to the Alaska State Board of Education and Early
Development. He thanked the appointees for their dedication and
called on Dr. Keith Hamilton.
9:48:34 AM
KEITH HAMILTON, Ph.D., Appointee, Board of Education and Early
Development, Department of Education and Early Development
(DEED), Soldotna, Alaska, said his wife is the executive
director of New Hope Counseling Center on the campus of Alaska
Christian College, where he serves as the president. Governor
Parnell recommended him as a college educator to be a liaison
between K-12 and higher education. He has served young people
his entire professional life in many roles. He is also a
commissioner on the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
(ACPE) and serves on the Alaska State Personnel Board. He is the
vice chair on the state board and he is now in his sixth year on
the board. He believes in the mission of DEED, both personally
and professionally. His heart is for rural, young people. The
Alaska Christian College serves predominantly indigenous
students from rural Alaska, which is 91 percent of the student
body. More often than not they are undereducated when they
arrive at the college. He sees the great need for K-12 to have
all the support it can get to enable every child to have a shot
not just at a great K-12 education but also to enter college or
career and technical pathways. He has a heart for the
undereducated, for students who say they have one shot at
college and how do they get there.
9:51:04 AM
DR. HAMILTON said that regarding his goals for DEED, of course,
there have been some valleys, but there have also been mountains
along the way. Some of the valleys are what he calls the two
t's. Every child needs to feel safe. Children who have the first
t, trauma, in their background struggle. His wife deals with
that at the college with students who go to the counseling
center for assistance. There is an enormous amount of trauma.
Many don't have any idea of the incredible struggle of students
with the events they have experienced. He is pushing hard to
make sure the state is paying attention to that trauma need. The
second t is truancy. If kids don't show up at school they can't
be educated and they can't get at least a couple of meals that
day. Schools can't show that an adult teacher cares for them and
wants to see them succeed. The state has a high truancy rate. As
part of the Alaska Education Challenge, he worked hard to bring
truancy to the forefront to ask what can be done about it. That
hasn't received much attention yet. He is encouraged by some of
the mountains encountered. He knows there is a lot of work to
do. He is completely behind the commissioner. He is an
extraordinary man and he and his team go above and beyond.
9:53:21 AM
SENATOR BEGICH said he appreciated Dr. Hamilton's comments on
how important the school environment is. Dr. Hamilton has been
on the frontlines and understands the issues. Senator Begich
suggested that he and Dr. Hamilton sit down and talk about
truancy. The triborough antigang task force that involved the
Anchorage, Kenai and Mat-Su boroughs in the late 2000s to about
2010, 2011, did extensive work on truancy and had some profound
information that was never truly used. Senator Begich noted that
he and Senator Hughes are addressing teacher recruitment and
retention and early education in their education bills. He asked
Dr. Hamilton what he saw as the board's role in addressing
teacher recruitment and retention and early education.
9:55:07 AM
DR. HAMILTON replied that he will be happy to chat about what
was discovered in the truancy task force. The state struggles
with teacher recruitment. Part of it may be laws on the books
that are a barrier to excellent teachers having a shot at being
able to move to Alaska. The board has been working on
opportunities for pathways for great teachers to serve in the
state. Money is always the question. The state needs to pay
teachers more. The state needs to recruit more teachers, which
means it needs to offer more than others are offering. It is a
constant battle and the state budget doesn't allow Alaska to go
back to its earlier days when it was one of higher paying states
for teachers. The state is not there anymore. It is very
difficult. Last year he was disappointed at the recruitment in
Anchorage. There were a couple of hundred positions available,
and not even half that number showed up to apply. There is a
constant shortage of state educators.
DR. HAMILTON said that everyone agrees that reading by fourth
grade, which Senator Begich, Senator Hughes, and the department
are engaged in, is the keystone to moving the numbers in the
right direction. Every opportunity that the board has to receive
grant funding or support policies to move that in that direction
is part of the goals of the Alaska Education Challenge. He is
done talking about it. He wants to see action.
9:57:45 AM
SENATOR STEVENS said that Dr. Hamilton is in a key position on
the board with his connection to higher ed and the ACPE. The
state is in the doldrums in moving young people on to college
and universities. Not everyone has to go to college, but it is
still crucial that young people are involved in higher
education. Many families are experiencing financial problems. He
asked what the state can do to encourage more students to go to
college.
9:59:05 AM
DR. HAMILTON said the ACPE goal is that in 2025, 65 percent of
working age Alaskans will have some sort of technical or
associate degree so the state will have its own workforce. A lot
of people from the lower 48 come to fill those jobs because
there are not enough people in the pipeline. The state is in the
low 50s at this point, and the number is barely moving. After
six years of serving on the ACPE board, they have hit their
heads against the wall. He doesn't know what the silver bullet
is. All students who come out of a K-12 system who have been
prepped for college through the courses they took and the
counseling they received are the ones likely to say they can do
this and will go on to the next level. He learned through his
doctoral work that 68 percent of Alaskan high school seniors
have the desire to go to college, but in the fall about 12
percent of those students matriculated and entered those
schools. There is a big gap between K-12 and higher ed that
comes down to whether students are feeling prepped and ready to
go and people are directing them in the counseling phase.
10:13:33 AM
SENATOR MICCICHE shared that he and Dr. Hamilton are very close.
He has respect for his work at the Alaska Christian College. He
asked Dr. Hamilton how his experience working with traumatized
rural Alaskans converts to a better outcome for proficiency in
math and reading. He assumes that has a lot to do with trauma-
related obstacles to learning.
DR. HAMILTON said that the state understands the impact of
trauma on every facet in life. Ever state does, but Alaska's
numbers are extraordinarily larger than many other states with
just what is being reported. A child who comes to school who has
had a trauma event will not be thinking about reading or being
obedient to the teacher. That child's mind has strayed and is
reliving recent events. That child needs professional help, more
than just a caring, loving teacher. The child needs someone at
the school to provide therapy. The Alaska Education Challenge
spoke about a counselor available at all schools. The first step
forward for a child who has been traumatized is to help that
child feel safe again and understand that it is not the child's
fault. That story is told on his campus and counseling center
over and over again.
CHAIR HOLLAND thanked Dr. Hamilton for his service and called on
Lorri Van Diest.
10:04:30 AM
LORRI VAN DIEST, Appointee, Board of Education and Early
Development, Department of Education and Early Development
(DEED), Palmer, Alaska, said that in January 2020 she was
reappointed by Governor Dunleavy. She was previously appointed
by Governor Walker. She is a lifelong Alaskan who grew up in
Seward and had her first teaching job in Seward and then moved
to Mat-Su. She has been a teacher, basketball coach, and school
counselor, and district curriculum coordinator. She retired in
2010 and three years ago became a part-time elementary counselor
working at two Title I schools, which gives her insight into the
daily working of schools.
10:07:01 AM
MS. VAN DIEST said this is the perspective she brings to the
state board. Her lens and focus is the safety, health, and
wellbeing of students. They are living in unprecedented times
where safety and wellbeing are continually challenged. As
Commissioner Johnson states, they must keep reminding themselves
of their mission. The strategic priorities of the Alaska
Education Challenge provide a postpandemic pathway forward. The
framework of AEC and the board's mission statement has guided
the work of the board as they move through the maze of COVID-19,
which has given school districts the opportunity to do education
in different ways. School districts are doing in-person
learning, virtual learning, or a hybrid of the two. The state
has learned how to be flexible and efficient and open to change.
10:09:17 AM
MS. VAN DIEST said DEED's response to the pandemic has been
stellar; DEED has listened and responded to the needs of school
districts through a variety of ways. With the help of the
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), DEED has
developed the Start Smart 2020 framework and held webinars to
help school districts. Child Nutrition worked to continue to
provide meals to children in need. She is excited about the
future work of the board. She wants to be part of moving forward
after the pandemic. Her goals are aligned with framework of the
AEC. She wants to see the proficiency rate increase in grade
three language arts and continued growth in academic achievement
in English/language arts and mathematics. Components in SB 8 and
SB 42 are geared toward increasing reaching achievement,
particularly in pre-K through grade three. She wants to see the
graduation rate increase from 80 percent and chronic absenteeism
decrease from 29 percent. She wants to see the university system
graduate more Alaskan teachers to address the teacher shortage
in the state.
10:12:08 AM
At ease
10:12:15 AM
CHAIR HOLLAND reconvened the meeting.
SENATOR HUGHES thanked Ms. Van Diest for her willingness to step
up again; she has pinpointed what needs to be done.
SENATOR STEVENS said it is great to hear from Ms. Van Diest with
her professional, comprehensive background. He asked if she had
to pick one thing to focus on in her term, what that would be.
MS. VAN DIEST said that she would choose reading proficiency at
third grade. Two areas of concern are teacher recruitment and
retention and third grade reading proficiency. A child who
doesn't learn to read by grade four often doesn't catch up. A
lifetime of illiteracy is such a disservice. That would be her
number one focus. That is why she is excited about SB 8 and SB
42 that are in the committee. Dr. Hamilton said it is time for
some action. She believes that all of those on the state board
feel that same way. They would like to help the department with
the heavy lifting that would have to happen if either of these
bills passed.
CHAIR HOLLAND called on Sally Stockhausan.
10:15:20 AM
SALLY STOCKHAUSAN, Appointee, Board of Education and Early
Development, Department of Education and Early Development
(DEED), Ketchikan, Alaska, said she and her husband are teachers
at Ketchikan High School. She has been teaching special
education but this year she is teaching full time in the English
department. She is seeing education from a general education
perspective. She has a passion for advocating for students who
struggle and teaching them to advocate for themselves. She is
excited to be part of the board. It is a strong board committed
to investing in the future of Alaska. She supports the mission
of an excellent education for every student every day. She
supports the AEC. DEED has given invaluable support to school
districts during COVID. She is excited about the trauma-informed
school movement. Classroom teachers have been struggling with
this for years. She is optimistic that schools can make huge
differences in the future of their students as they make
intentional changes to become more aware of the trauma. This is
timely because after the pandemic, schools and teachers will
need to have this on their radar after the additional trauma of
the past year.
10:18:38 AM
MS. STOCKHAUSAN said she is looking forward to SB 8 and the
emphasis this will continue to place on quality reading
instruction. She is particularly hopeful that it will help
facilitate quality instruction for teachers in how to teach
reading. Teachers come from a variety of backgrounds in the area
of reading instruction. She is hopeful that the state can make
sure that all Alaskan teachers are trained to teach reading. To
the board she brings years of teaching at all levels. She has
taught in the inner city, rural Alaska, and small-town Alaska.
She has taught general education, English as a second language,
and special education. She is excited to continue to bring a
teacher's perspective, as well as a special education
perspective, to the board. The state is in challenging times,
but she looks forward to working with the board in using the
state resources to assist districts in meeting the educational
challenge.
10:19:53 AM
SENATOR BEGICH said she had answered all his questions and he
appreciates her service.
CHAIR HOLLAND called on Mr. Erickson and noted that he is a new
appointee.
10:20:23 AM
JEFF ERICKSON, Appointee, Board of Education and Early
Development, Department of Education and Early Development
(DEED), Unalakleet, Alaska, said he is a lifelong resident of
Unalakleet. His parents were teachers in Unalakleet. After
graduating from college, the village called him home so he got
his teaching credentials from the University of Alaska
Anchorage. He taught with the Bering Strait School District. He
worked for the RurAL CAP Head Start program. He served on the
Unalakleet school board and then resigned to be student
activities director in Unalakleet until retirement in 2019. He
has been a commercial fisherman for over 40 years. He has seen
education from the perspective of his children and
grandchildren. He has been a teacher and administrator. His
youngest son is severely autistic, so he has been involved in
the special ed realm for almost 21 years.
10:23:44 AM
MR. ERICKSON said he offers a diverse background. He is
primarily rural and has a rural focus and experiences. He echoes
what he heard from other board members. Literacy is such a
challenge for communities and students, partly because it is
generational. Many parents are not reading to kids. It is a real
challenge to present solutions to get kids reading so that they
are prepared for other aspects of education. His heart is with
literacy and finding ways to work with families, communities,
and each other. He appreciates DEED initiatives for teacher
recruitment and retention.
SENATOR BEGICH said he asks new members about the words of the
education clause, "affirm that no money shall be paid from
public funds for the direct benefit of any religious or other
private educational institution." He asks every member their
thoughts on the constitution.
10:26:17 AM
MR. ERICKSON replied that he has had private and public school
experience. He sees the value in both. He sees value in choice
when there is the ability to have equitable choices. He is a
supporter of the constitution as written. Until he has further
information and gets up to speed on the direction the department
is going, he is going to have to give a vague answer.
SENATOR BEGICH said he appreciated the vagueness. It is an
honest answer. He encouraged Mr. Erickson to look at the
constitution and read those words. There is no issue about the
quality of education in private institutions. It is simply the
use of public funds for those private institutions. He would
agree with Mr. Erickson that there are strong private and
religious institutions, but he would encourage Mr. Erickson to
see why those words were written. He appreciates his willingness
to step up and serve.
10:27:57 AM
SENATOR MICCICHE shared that he was concerned about his
application when he read it initially. He thought he should be
applying for a Fish and Game position instead of education, but
hearing him speak about his rural focus and issues of trauma and
how he can help the board with technology challenges in rural
Alaska and his wide range of experience, his only request is
that he suggests Mr. Erickson prepare more of a resume than just
an application sheet to follow him through the process. It would
help other members reviewing his qualifications. He has become
supportive, but he wasn't sure from Mr. Erickson's original
sheet.
MR. ERICKSON said that to be completely honest, he was looking
for something to give back as he is retired and was looking at
Fish and Game positions but then saw this seat was open. He has
a real heart for education. Senator Micciche saw through his
guise.
CHAIR HOLLAND thanked him for his pursuit of service. He opened
public testimony and after ascertaining there was none, closed
public testimony. He asked the will of the committee.
10:30:05 AM
SENATOR STEVENS stated that in accordance with AS 39.05.080, the
Senate Education Standing Committee reviewed the following and
recommends the appointments be forwarded to a joint session for
consideration:
State Board of Education and Early Development
Keith Hamilton - Soldotna
Lorri Van Diest - Palmer
Sally Stockhausen - Ketchikan
Jeffrey Erickson - Unalakleet
CHAIR HOLLAND reminded members that signing the reports
regarding appointments to boards and commissions in no way
reflects individual members' approval or disapproval of the
appointees; the nominations are merely forwarded to the full
legislature for confirmation or rejection.
10:31:13 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Holland adjourned the Senate Education Standing Committee
meeting at 10:31 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 SBOE Report to the Legislature.pdf |
SEDC 2/17/2021 9:00:00 AM |
State Board of Education |
| EDC_Jeffrey Erickson Board Application_Redacted.pdf |
SEDC 2/17/2021 9:00:00 AM |
|
| EDC_Keith Hamilton Board Application_Redacted.pdf |
SEDC 2/17/2021 9:00:00 AM |
|
| EDC_Lorri Van Diest Board Application_Redacted.pdf |
SEDC 2/17/2021 9:00:00 AM |
|
| EDC_Sally Stockhausen_Redacted.pdf |
SEDC 2/17/2021 9:00:00 AM |
|
| 2020 SBOE Final Report to the Legislature.pdf |
SEDC 2/17/2021 9:00:00 AM |
|
| 2.17.21 (S) EDC SBOE Report to the Legislature.pdf |
SEDC 2/17/2021 9:00:00 AM |