HB 18-TEACHERS: NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION  8:00:33 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 18, "An Act relating to national board certification for public school teachers." 8:01:15 AM REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, re-introduced HB 18, [which was heard previously by the House Education Standing Committee on 4/30/21]. He said the proposed legislation seeks to acknowledge teachers who have pursued and achieved the national board certification, a rigorous certification process. He said many states offer incentives to teachers who achieve this certification. He said the underlying idea is the importance of teachers and the acknowledgement of the work they do. He stated, "Everything we can possibly do to incent and attract excellent ... and high- quality teachers is incredibly important." He said HB 18 sets a goal for the number of National Board certified teachers the state might be able to attract, as well as puts forward a recognition of those teachers that would achieve that status. He related that he has worked with all aspects of the educational community in terms of the proposed legislation and has found universal support for HB 18. 8:04:57 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND noted there was a zero fiscal note accompanying HB 18. 8:05:25 AM REPRESENTATIVE CRONK offered his understanding that the National Board standards are comparable to a master's program, and he asked whether it would make more sense to "stick with" the University of Alaska. REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS suggested Lisa Parady could address this query more thoroughly; however, he offered his understanding that the national board certification is "more clinically oriented" and addresses how teachers work in the classroom, whereas Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degrees are "more knowledge and theory oriented." He added that he does not see the two as mutually exclusive. 8:08:37 AM REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS asked the bill sponsor why he chose national board certification rather than other awards or accolades. REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS answered that the national board certification has emerged as "the gold standard," recognized in all 50 states. In response to a follow-up question, he said getting certified is a multi-year process, and he offered his understanding that the cost for certification is $2,000. He said many teachers pursue this certification by self-initiative, as a commitment to self-improvement. He mentioned a policy proposal to reimburse teachers, but said that is not put forth in HB 18; however, he opined it would be "a no-brainer" thing to do. 8:11:29 AM CO-CHAIR STORY asked whether the National Education Association in Alaska (NEA-Alaska) has scholarship funds that could be applied to support teachers without financial means to pursue this certification. REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS said he is not aware of such a fund, but would not be surprised if there were such a thing on some level. 8:13:49 AM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked about the goal stated in HB 18 to reach a minimum of 4 percent of teachers being certified by 2025. He offered his understanding that about 220 teachers, or about 2 percent, currently have obtained this certification. Further, he said he heard there may be another 24 teachers in the process. He questioned whether [4 percent by 2025] was a reasonable goal. REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS proffered that currently 2.5 percent are certified. He said it is a nonbinding goal for motivation. He said he would defer to the wisdom of the House Education Standing Committee to determine the best number to inspire but not be unobtainable. 8:16:53 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND said there are a half dozen school districts in Alaska that provide financial incentive to teachers that achieve national board certification. She noted that this has had the benefit of lowering teacher turnover by three times. She further noted that several states provide additional stipends. She said the committee could consider this at some point to address the serious issue Alaska is having in regard to teacher retention. 8:17:57 AM The committee took an at-ease from 8:18 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. 8:19:56 AM LISA PARADY, PhD, Executive Director, Alaska Council of School Administrators (ACSA), Alaska Superintendents Association, offered a PowerPoint presentation in support of HB 18. She displayed slide 3, "ACSA's Joint Position Statements," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: Preparing, Attracting and Retaining Qualified Educators • Retaining effective educators and leaders is imperative to increase student achievement and eliminate academic disparity for all of Alaska's students. ACSA strongly encourages the development of comprehensive statewide programs to prepare, attract, and retain high quality, diverse educators and professionals. DR. PARADY said the joint statements are derived from ACSA's members, including superintendents, elementary and secondary principals, school business officials, and school administrators across Alaska. She moved to slide 4, "How Does National Board Certification Help?," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: • National Board Certification is recognized as the gold standard in teacher certification, the National Board believes higher standards for teachers means better learning for students • Maintains high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do • Builds leadership within classrooms, school buildings, and school districts • Improves new teacher quality and retention DR. PARADY turned to slide 5, "Current National Board Certification Numbers," which shows the following [original punctuation provided]: • In the 2021 National Board Certification report, Alaska ranked 25th in the nation • 2.64% of teachers have a National Board Certification DR. PARADY said ACSA believes the goal proposed under HB 18 is an ambitious but attainable one. She pointed out that the process of certification is cyclical with limited windows of entry. She suggested moving the goal of 4 percent out to 2027. She explained that teachers who go for the certification often carry major loads in their work. She said in many cases teachers who achieve this certification are recognized as leaders, and mentorship from these certified teachers can improve new teacher quality and retention. 8:24:46 AM MS. PARADY drew attention to the information on slide 6, "Current Challenges," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: • Certification costs $1,900 • Board Certification typically takes 3 years to complete • Only 12 testing centers in Alaska • Teachers in rural communities have additional travel costs MS. PARADY pointed out that there is an added cost to some teachers to travel to a recognized testing site. She also noted that "submissions and tests" do not always coordinate with the teacher's school year schedule, which requires planning. To promote this certification, she recommended consideration of financial support in order to make certification available to all Alaska teachers. DR. PARADY showed slide 7, "ACSA Supports HB 18," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: Increasing the share of Alaska teachers with National Board Certification is an important step, along with comprehensively addressing teacher recruitment and retention, to improve Alaska schools for all students. We are proud to support this policy and the goal of providing an effective teacher for all students. DR. PARADY displayed contact information on slide 8 and offered to answer questions from the committee. 8:27:19 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND asked how many teachers take the test each year. DR. PARADY said she did not know but would find out and bring the answer back to the committee. 8:28:02 AM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX noted that the National Board of Certification is a private institution related to Article 1, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Alaska. He questioned whether an opinion from Legislative Legal and Research Services may be necessary. CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND suggested the question would be more suited for Legislative Legal and Research Services rather than Dr. Parady. She thanked Dr. Parady for her PowerPoint presentation on HB 18. 8:29:31 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND opened public testimony on HB 18. After ascertaining there was no one who wished to testify, she closed public testimony. She set an amendment deadline of Monday, 1/24/22, at 5 p.m. 8:30:00 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced HB 18 was held over.