Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/29/1993 01:35 PM Senate HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE
March 29, 1993
1:35 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Steve Rieger, Chairman
Senator Bert Sharp, Vice-Chairman
Senator Loren Leman
Senator Mike Miller
Senator Jim Duncan
Senator Johnny Ellis
Senator Judy Salo
MEMBERS ABSENT
All Members Present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 156
"An Act amending the definition of `municipality' for
purposes of the human services community matching grant
program."
SENATE BILL NO. 61
"An Act implementing certain recommendations of Alaska 2000
to improve the state's education system; and providing for
an effective date."
PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION
SB 156 - See Community & Regional Affairs minutes dated
3/18/93, 3/23/93.
SB 61 - See HESS minutes dated 2/8/93, 2/10/93, 2/17/93,
2/24/93, 3/3/93, 3/8/93, 3/17/93, and 3/19/93.
WITNESS REGISTER
Layne St. John, Assembly Member
Fairbanks North Star Borough
P.O. Box 71267
Fairbanks, Alaska 99707
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 156.
Hank Bartes, Assembly Member
Fairbanks North Star Borough
P.O. Box 71267
Fairbanks, Alaska 99707
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 156.
Vince Barry, Director
Education Program Support
Department of Education
801 West 10th Street, Suite 200
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1994
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on SB 61.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 93-31, SIDE A
Number 001
CHAIRMAN RIEGER called the Senate Health, Education and
Social Services (HESS) Committee to order at 1:35 p.m.
The first order of business to come before the Senate HESS
Committee was SB 156 (HUMAN SERVICES MATCHING GRANTS). The
prime sponsor, SENATOR SHARP said SB 156 adds a definition
for a second class borough with a population over 65,000 on
page 1, line 14, and page 2, lines 1 and 2. The bill allows
the Fairbanks North Star Borough to qualify as a recipient
of matching grants for social services. Currently, the
Fairbanks North Slope Borough is in better financial shape
to provide matching money than the City of Fairbanks. The
population figure is the same for the city. There wouldn't
be a change in the dollar allocation. The bill would allow
the Fairbanks North Star Borough, if they choose, to pass
accommodating ordinances that would qualify them to receive
and to match service grants.
SENATOR ELLIS asked if just Fairbanks would be impacted.
SENATOR SHARP said just Fairbanks would be impacted.
Number 068
LAYNE ST. JOHN, Assembly Member, Fairbanks North Star
Borough, testified in support of the bill. He said it is
something that they will probably need very badly in the
future. He said he would answer any questions the committee
members may have.
CHAIRMAN RIEGER asked if the city and the borough are
currently nonunified. MR. ST. JOHN said that is correct.
He said the city is the entity which has to apply for the
grant instead of the borough.
SENATOR ELLIS asked if the borough anticipates having
problems in future years in meeting the ascending local
match which was put into statute last year. MR. ST. JOHN
explained the borough assembly currently has a committee
looking at health and social service needs and requirements.
One thing they are reviewing is the ability to fund any
matching grants at the 50 percent mark that would be
required in two years. Mr. St. John said it appears that in
the near future Fairbanks will not be able to meet that 50
percent match. The North Star Borough would be able to.
Number 115
HANK BARTES, Assembly Member, Fairbanks North Star Borough,
said he served on the Fairbanks City Health and Social
Service Commission for five years. He said this is one of
the most cost effective utilization of funds that goes into
the health and social service arena. It serves not only the
people in the City of Fairbanks and the North Star Borough
but also outlying areas through outreach programs that the
various social services agencies provide. The program
should be continued and improved upon.
Number 133
There being no further testimony, SENATOR SHARP moved to
pass SB 156 out of the Senate HESS Committee with individual
recommendations and with the zero fiscal note. Hearing no
objection, the bill moved out of committee.
Number 146
The last order of business was SB 61 (IMPLEMENT ALASKA 2000
RECOMMENDATIONS). CHAIRMAN RIEGER said at the last meeting
on the bill there were three proposed amendments before the
committee by Senators Ellis, Salo, and Leman. The amendment
they first addressed was by Senator Ellis. SENATOR ELLIS
moved Amendment #15. SENATOR MILLER objected for the
purpose of discussion. Amendment #15 follows:
Page 1, lines 1 - 2:
Delete all material.
Insert "An Act relating to the length of the school
year, to goals for public education and
student performance, to teacher tenure
rights, and to establishment of charter
schools; and providing for an effective
date.""
Page 1, after line 6:
Insert a new paragraph to read:
"(2) establish goals for public education in the
state; it is not the purpose of this Act to recommend a
specific curriculum or to diminish the right of each
school district to establish a curriculum in that
school district;"
Renumber the following paragraphs accordingly.
Page 2, after line 2:
Insert new bill sections to read:
"* Sec. 2. AS 14.03.015 is repealed and
reenacted to read:
Sec. 14.03.015. MISSION FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.
The mission of the public school system is to help
ensure that all students succeed in their education and
work, shape worthwhile and satisfying lives, exemplify
the best values of society and their respective
cultures, and be effective in improving the character
and quality of the world about them. It is the joint
responsibility of students, parents, schools, and the
community to achieve the mission described in this
section.
* Sec. 3. AS 14.03 is amended by adding a new
section to read:
Sec. 14.03.017. GOALS FOR STUDENT PERFORMANCE.
The public school system shall be operated with the
recognition that all students can learn. The goal of
the system is to develop successful students. A
successful student will graduate and the process of
learning should include the following:
(1) a working knowledge of science, language
arts, social studies, mathematics, physical education
and health, and fine arts;
(2) the ability to think logically and
critically including the ability to
(A) think clearly about new information
and ideas;
(B) solve problems through different
ways of questioning and analysis;
(C) be open to new ideas and be curious
about the world and self;
(D) demonstrate the skills needed to
make good decisions;
(E) understand and use mathematical and
scientific ideas;
(F) demonstrate good study skills and
habits;
(G) access, process, and integrate
information;
(H) evaluate and improve ideas through
discussions with other people;
(I) read, understand, and apply written
information faced in daily life;
(3) an acceptance of personal responsibility
for sustaining a person economically including the
critical skills, competencies, values, and attitudes to
be successful in work, whether of a cash or subsistence
nature, including the ability to
(A) be confident, able, and prepared
for opportunities in the local, national, and
international workplace;
(B) understand the value of and
necessity for lifelong learning, including the
ability to teach oneself new skills to adjust to a
changing workplace;
(C) show initiative, dependability,
punctuality, and to strive for accuracy and
efficiency on the job;
(D) willingly accept advice,
supervision, and criticism and to be a good team
member in the workplace;
(E) be safety conscious;
(F) be a critical consumer with skills
for making informed choices;
(G) recognize how success in school
relates to a person's future;
(4) the ability to communicate effectively
including the ability to
(A) talk about feelings, ideas, and
concepts with clarity;
(B) be a good listener;
(C) read, understand, and respond to
written information faced in daily life;
(D) appreciate the value of reading as
a lifelong activity;
(E) write well for a variety of
purposes and audiences;
(F) demonstrate understanding and
openness in group settings;
(5) the ability to discover and nurture
creative talents including the ability to
(A) appreciate the world around us;
(B) take part in activities that cut
across fields of study;
(C) understand our world and its past,
present, and future and be able to express this
understanding in a variety of ways and with
different media;
(D) respect and encourage the creative
talents of individuals and groups;
(E) demonstrate the knowledge and
skills needed to express ideas in literature,
visual arts, music, dance, and drama;
(6) knowledge of how to develop positive
self-esteem including the ability to
(A) know how to set and achieve
personal goals;
(B) be confident, assertive, and
flexible;
(C) demonstrate an appreciation for
one's own personal talents and strengths;
(D) form satisfying relationships with
others based on respect, trust, cooperation,
mutual understanding, compassion, and appreciation
of cultural differences;
(7) the ability to master essential
vocational technological skills including the ability
to
(A) communicate and compete in the
global market with computers, video, audio, and
other technologies;
(B) use technology to gather, analyze,
and evaluate information and opinions;
(C) critically evaluate information
presented in the mass media;
(D) use computers to process and
organize information;
(E) understand the overall purpose of
equipment and the proper procedures for setup and
operation;
(8) the ability to understand the values of
health and fitness including the ability to
(A) understand the skills and apply the
knowledge needed to promote physical and mental
health;
(B) respond constructively to life's
social, environmental, and physical changes;
(9) knowledge of the values of responsible
citizenship including the ability to
(A) understand and participate in the
democratic process;
(B) achieve the values, knowledge, and
ethical behaviors needed to participate in a
democratic society;
(C) learn to recognize and appreciate
the contribution of peoples from other countries
and cultures;
(D) be aware of and appreciate
languages other than English;
(E) achieve skills in leadership,
cooperation, communication, and social
responsibility;
(F) understand one's relationship to
the environment and be committed to the wise use
of resources;
(G) know effective parenting skills to
nurture healthy growth and development in others;
(H) understand the past."
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Page 6, line 30:
Delete "12 - 19"
Insert "14 - 21"
Page 7, line 6:
Delete "13(e)"
Insert "15(e)"
Page 10, line 5:
Delete "12 - 19"
Insert "14 - 21"
Page 10, line 7:
Delete "12 - 19"
Insert "14 - 21"
Page 10, line 8:
Delete "12 - 19"
Insert "14 - 21"
Page 10, line 9:
Delete "12 - 19"
Insert "14 - 21"
Page 10, line 20:
Delete "12 - 19"
Insert "14 - 21"
Page 10, line 21:
Delete "23 - 25"
Insert "25 - 27"
Page 10, line 25:
Delete "21"
Insert "23"
Page 10, line 26:
Delete "and 4 - 19"
Insert ", 2, 3, and 6 - 21"
Page 10, line 27:
Delete "2 and 3"
Insert "4 and 5"
Page 10, line 28:
Delete "20"
Insert "22"
SENATOR ELLIS said the amendment represents legislation that
was before the 17th Legislature, and it relates to education
goals. The first part of the amendment requires a title
change to add the words "to goals for public education and
student performance." It was voted on last year and
everyone voted for it. People, at that time, agreed with
the argument that we spend close to $1 billion in public
funds on education. It is by far the biggest component in
the operating budget and sometimes in the capital budget.
Senator Ellis said many states have moved forward to set
goals for education in their statutes. He continued to
discuss the language in the amendment relating to the
positive features.
Number 248
SENATOR LEMAN referred to the middle of page four of the
amendment: "(B) respond constructively to life's social,
environmental, and physical changes;" He suggested
replacing the word "changes" with the word "challenges."
SENATOR ELLIS said he wouldn't have a problem with changing
the word. Senator Leman moved the amendment to the
amendment. Hearing no objection, the motion carried.
CHAIRMAN RIEGER referred to the title and said it doesn't
have the recognition of PTAs as a local advisory committee.
He suggested not changing the title until there is a final
form of the bill. Senator Ellis agreed.
Number 302
VINCE BARRY, Director, Education Program Support, Department
of Education, spoke against Senator Ellis' amendment. He
said the department has concerns regarding the amendment.
He gave the committee members the amendment with highlighted
sections of concern. Mr. Barry said the other concern is
the statement concerning the standards. He said the reason
he is in opposition is it seems that the timing is wrong. A
lot of the standards are currently incorporated into
district policy. He said the subsets of statements would be
counter productive. If it is predetermined in law what the
teachers must consider, it may be counter productive.
SENATOR ELLIS said last year the governor's office told him
that the legislature shouldn't set public goals for
education at that time because the Alaska 2000 Committee
would work on it. The governor's office said when the
education reform bill comes before the legislature next year
it will include the goals for education. He said the bill
doesn't include goals. SB 61 is the major education reform
bill and that is where the goals should be. He said he
doesn't believe that anyone will be constrained by the broad
general goal oriented language contained in the subsets.
Senator Ellis said he doesn't believe that teachers will be
constrained by the language.
Senator Ellis said it seems that every time there is a
change on the Board of Education, there is a whole new
planning process, effort, and commitment to setting goals,
standards, student outcomes, etc. He said he would like
something that is in statute that outlives an administration
or appointments to the State Board of Education.
Number 384
SENATOR MILLER removed his objection to adopting the
amendment. CHAIRMAN RIEGER numbered Senator Ellis'
amendment as Amendment #15. He asked if there was an
objection to adopting Amendment #15. Hearing no objection,
Amendment #15 was adopted.
Number 409
The next amendment to come before the committee was
Amendment #3, by Senator Salo, which had been offered and
then withdrawn at a previous meeting on the bill.
SENATOR SALO said Senator Leman had a proposed amendment
that deals with the section she has concern about. She
withdrew Amendment #3.
Number 415
SENATOR LEMAN moved Amendment #16 be adopted. Amendment #16
follows:
Page 2, lines 3-28:
Delete all material.
Senator Leman said the amendment deletes everything dealing
with school terms. CHAIRMAN RIEGER objected. He said he
believes we are in a world of increasing information. There
is more to know now than there used to be. He said there
needs to be some kind of a collaborated effort so that extra
time in a school year isn't being taking up by
administrators and teachers. He said he is for increasing
the contact time per day. We also need to allow more days
to deliver what needs to be delivered
SENATOR SALO said she is going to support the amendment.
She said she agrees with the arguments about the value of an
increased school year, but doesn't think there is a
willingness to accept the fiscal note that would need to go
with it if the school term is increased.
Number 450
A roll call vote was taken on Amendment #16. Senators
Sharp, Duncan, Leman, Miller, and Salo were in favor of the
amendment. Senators Rieger and Ellis were against the
amendment. So the motion carried.
SENATOR SHARP moved Amendment #17. Amendment #17 follows:
Delete: Pages 4 and 5
Delete: Page 6, lines 1 through 28.
Hearing no objection to the motion of adopting Amendment
There was general discussion regarding the overall
legislation.
Number 512
CHAIRMAN RIEGER gave the committee members a handwritten
copy of all the changes that were adopted.
SENATOR DUNCAN said the title is broad and he would like it
to be more specific.
CHAIRMAN RIEGER said there are four general sections in the
bill. There is the school improvement fund, goals for
public education and student performance, advisory boards in
school districts, and the establishment of charter schools.
Number 557
SENATOR DUNCAN moved that a conceptual amendment be adopted
which reflects what is in the bill. CHAIRMAN RIEGER said he
would instruct the bill drafter to draft a new title that
speaks more specifically to the provisions in the bill.
SENATOR SALO said she would feel more comfortable to see a
final version of the bill before it is passed out of the
Senate HESS Committee. CHAIRMAN RIEGER said the final
version would be before the committee the following
Wednesday.
Number 580
There being no further business to come before the Senate
HESS Committee, CHAIRMAN RIEGER adjourned the meeting at
2:55 p.m.
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