CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 86(FIN) "An Act relating to employment of teachers who have subject-matter expertise; and providing for an effective date." CHRIS KNAUSS ,STAFF, SENATOR PETE KELLY, spoke in support of the legislation on behalf of the sponsor. He noted that there are numerous accounts of teacher shortages in the state of Alaska. Senate Bill 86 would put teachers with subject matter experience in the classroom. He reviewed the process of how a subject matter teacher gets into the classroom and becomes a certified regular teacher. To be a subject matter teacher the applicant must have a baccalaureate degree and at least five years work experience in the subject matter to be taught. Once employment is gained, subject matter teachers would be required to take a competency exam and submit to fingerprints for a criminal background check. They would then be required to have an experience teacher supervise them as a mentor. During this time they would have a limited certificate. During the year they would be required to enroll in a curriculum to gain a regular teaching certificate. They would have two years to complete a regular teaching certificate. In response to a question by Vice-Chair Bunde, Mr. Knauss noted that the real need is in rural school districts. Representative John Davies clarified that subject matter teachers could only remain in this category for two years without becoming certified. BRUCE JOHNSON, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT provided information on the legislation. The department supports the bill. There are students that take advantage of the MAT (Master of Arts) program. A prerequisite degree for an MAT degree is a bachelor degree in a subject area. He observed that MAT students are not paid; these people would be paid while they are securing their regular Type A certificate. He thought that [subject matter teachers] would generally be at the secondary level. Representative Davies asked if there would be a mentor teacher for both of the years. Mr. Johnson noted that it is required for the first year and added that there are programs that should help support the mentor relationship. Vice-Chair Bunde observed that the candidate must take a competency examination, and questioned what the test would look like. Mr. Johnson agreed that the candidate would have to pass the exam and noted that it would be administered at the local level. They would also have to pass the state competency test in a timely fashion. Mr. Johnson explained that discussions with the University of Alaska envision a startup summer program prior to going on the job. They would do an audio conference and distance delivered course during the year. The goal is not to overburden them so that their studies distract from their capacity to be successful in the classroom. They would resume studies during the summer. The department envisions completions during two summers and an academic year. In response to a question by Representative Hudson, Mr. Johnson noted that there are shortages in math and science classes. He stated that the door could be opened to all candidates that meet the requirements. Limited candidates have been a concern. Representative Davies agreed that there is a shortage of qualified teachers. He questioned how many MAT students would take the program. Mr. Johnson acknowledged that it would allow MAT students to continue on a paid basis. Representative Davies thought that there may be more demand for the program than envisioned. RANDY LORENZ, PALMER spoke in support of the legislation. He observed that his wife has a master's degree in Library Sciences. She is not able to get a Type A teaching certificate in Library Sciences because the University of Alaska does not offer a Library of Science degree. She cannot get her certification without quitting her job and going to another state. There are few qualified librarians in the Mat-Su Valley. The legislation would allow her to get a type A teaching certificate while remaining in her job. There are three other persons with Library Science degrees in the Mat-Su. The legislation would allow his wife to get a type A teaching certificate. Representative Foster MOVED to report CSSB 86 (FIN) out of Committee with the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSSB 86(FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a previously published zero fiscal note by the Department of Education and Early Development.