HOUSE BILL NO. 145 "An Act relating to certification of teachers." REPRESENTATIVE CON BUNDE, SPONSOR testified on behalf of HB 145. He maintained that there is a lack of faith in the system. He was a participant in an Anchorage education focus group. The focus group agreed on the importance of public confidence in teachers and the quality of education. He observed that the legislation is a screening devise to 9 remove teachers who are not well qualified. Teachers must pass a basic screening test before they can receive their Type A teaching certificate in Alaska. He observed that, currently, the only requirement for a Type A teaching certificate is a college degree. In addition to the screening test, school districts apply their own criteria for teachers. He clarified that the legislation does not represent an attempt to tell local districts who they must hire. He emphasized that the legislation will provide assurance that applicants are competent. Teachers will still be chosen through an interview process. In response to a question by Representative Martin, Representative Bunde clarified that a Bachelors of Science degree in Education does not provide a teaching certificate in the State of Alaska. The graduate still has to come to the State of Alaska and demonstrate that they have a teaching certificate. Representative Martin assumed that graduates of the University of Alaska would be competent. Co-Chair Therriault observed that the test would also screen out-of- state candidates. Representative Martin noted that attitude and experience are needed to make a good teacher. He thought that the legislation would make it more difficult to get qualified teachers. Representative Grussendorf suggested that teachers be required to pass the examination within their first year of employment. He expressed concern that there would be a bottleneck during hiring. Representative Bunde observed that most hiring takes place in early spring. Candidates would have 4 - 5 months to pass the examination. Representative Bunde stated that openings occur during mid- year. He noted that available teachers, in Alaska today, number in the hundreds. He acknowledged that there needs to be flexibility for short-term emergency contracts. Representative Grussendorf observed that there are situations where teachers provide notification that they will not fulfill their contract just before the school year. Representative Bunde added that additional teachers might be needed in the beginning of the school year due to an increase in enrollment. He emphasized that the intent is not to "tie the hands of school districts." He maintained that the examination would be part of the process of achieving a Type A teaching certificate. 10 JOHN CYR, NEA-ALASKA, explained that if a district can demonstrate that they cannot find a person who is certified, they can ask for an emergency certificate. Emergency teaching certificates are issued for one year. Representative Grussendorf reiterated concerns that school boards have plenty of time to field a full academic team. NANCY BUEHL, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION explained that there is an emergency certificate process. The District would have to demonstrate that they advertised for a person and could not secure a qualified applicant. She noted that the Department receives 3 to 4 emergency applicants a year. Emergency certificates tend to be mid-year and from rural districts. She stressed that it is possible to make provisions for emergency situations in regulations. She observed that the commissioner can issue a provisional certificate for Alaskan studies if there are extenuating circumstances. She stated that similar regulations can be written in response to the legislation. Representative Martin asked how the test would be implemented. Representative Bunde interjected that the legislation would only pertain to those that have not received their Type A certificate. Ms. Buehl added that the Department does not intend to administer the test. The Department, through the Board of Education, would select a nationally recognized test that is administered by a testing company. She stated that the test would be administered similar to the bar exam. Representative Bunde noted that 40 other states have some form of certification test. Representative Therriault noted that most states use the Praxis test. Ms. Buehl observed that the Praxis test is undergoing revision. In response to a question by Representative Martin, Mr. Cyr explained that there are two types of substitute teachers. certificated substitute teachers hold a valid Alaskan Type A certificate. Districts also have non-certificated substitutes that are under supervision of the site supervisor. The legislation only applies to those that are seeking initial certification. In response to a question by Representative Davis, Representative Bunde explained that those with Type A teaching certificates would not be affected by the legislation. Representative Martin noted that rural communities might not have replacements to fill vacancies. Representative Bunde 11 emphasized that screen tests are important in emergency situations. Ms. Buehl reviewed the emergency certification process. The superintendent sends a letter to the commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation. Generally, requests are acted on the same day that they are received. Emergency certifications are used when a district can not locate a certified teacher but has located someone that has some qualification. The commissioner acts on each case separately. She could did not remember a case that was not granted within a couple of days. The district must advertise the position for two weeks as a condition of the regulation. In response to a question by Representative Davis, Ms. Buehl noted that tests are commonly given four times a year. Representative Davis stressed that there are a lot of intangibles that teachers need. Representative Bunde discussed alternative routes to certification. He noted that a program for alternative certification was dropped due to a lack of interest. Ms. Buehl noted that a high percentage of minorities do not pass these tests on the first or second attempt. She observed that Oregon discovered that a similar requirement lowered the available pool. She emphasized that the Department will make sure that the test that is chosen does not suffer from inherent bias and is available to those with disabilities. She stressed that the test must be carefully chosen. She clarified that the alternative certification program was discontinued due to a lack of funding. She thought that there would be interest in the program if funding were available. Representative Davies asked if there are tests available in multiform that address the issue of inherent bias. Ms. Buehl observed that there are at least two other states that have engaged in development with test companies to lower bias for student populations. She was not aware of a teacher screening test that would eliminate bias. She acknowledged that it is a significant concern. Representative Davies asked if there is evidence that similar screening requirements have resulted in an increase in competency and public confidence in the educational process. Representative Bunde observed that the State of California found that some applicants could not spell at the sixth grade level. He spoke in support of a minimum level of literacy. 12 Representative Martin expressed concern that the examination will be an obstacle to Native applicants. He spoke in support of encouraging Nataive teachers. Mr. Cyr noted that there are only five states that do not have some type of assessment for an initial certificate. He emphasized that the way to get minority teachers is to work with them within their community. He stressed that it is a disservice to the Native community to say that the Native community cannot take a test. In response to a question by Representative Davies, Mr. Cyr maintained that an initial screening is important. Ms. Buehl did not think that the requirement would be particularly controversial. Representative Davies discussed the tenure process. Representative Bunde maintained that three years is too long to employ an incompetent teacher. Mr. Cyr observed that the examination provides the initial license. School districts would still evaluate practicing teachers for tenure. (Tape Change, HFC 97-53, Side 2) Representative Bunde observed that the test would be administered in two levels. The first level would demonstrate competency for elementary subjects. The second level would test competency to teach math, English, or science. He acknowledged that good teachers have a "calling". He observed that students are screened during the college process. Co-Chair Therriault referred to the fiscal note by the Department of Education. He observed that the Department has reduced the fiscal note. Ms. Buehl explained that the fiscal note was revised to reflect that the Department will not administer the test. Co-Chair Therriault pointed out that the Department would still control the contract with the private sector. He stated that fees would be paid to the Department, then the Department would contract with the test provider. Program receipts would come and contractual money would be appropriated. Ms. Buehl stated that the original fiscal note dated 3/5/97 would reflect this process. In response to a question by Co-Chair Therriault, Ms. Buehl explained that the Board of Education would need to meet more frequently in order to select the test and establish cut-off scores. She emphasized that the cut-off must be a legally defensible cut-off. She emphasized the complexity 13 of validating the test. She clarified that the $40 thousand dollar travel request would pay for the Board, staff and technical advisors. The second page of the fiscal note details the travel costs. Co-Chair Therriault questioned the request of $77 thousand dollars for personal services. Ms. Buehl noted that several positions are associated with this request. She observed that a portion of this request would go to test selection and review. She stated that the request is spread over existing people plus a temporary position during the selection period. A temporary education associate will be hired for part of the year. Co-Chair Therriault pointed out that part of their request funds personnel that are already contained in the budget. In response to a question by Representative Martin, Ms. Buehl noted that certification fees could be raised. She stated that the current fee is not sufficient to support the costs. She noted that 4,500 applicants would be affected per year. In response to a question by Co-Chair Therriault, Ms. Buehl explained that continuing personal service costs were included to cover additional data input. She stated that existing staff would have to be taken off of some other task. Co-Chair Therriault observed that the State does not pay for the same position more than once. Ms. Buehl noted that options available to the Department; existing personnel would have to quit doing something, redeploy a clerk that is in some other division, add a long term non-permanent position, or add a new position. Co- Chair Therriault stressed that fiscal notes are supposed to reflect new general fund dollars. HB 145 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.