SB 15-PREKINDERGARTEN SCHOOL PROGRAMS/PLANS  8:02:35 AM CHAIR STEVENS announced the consideration of SB 15. 8:02:59 AM SENATOR HOLLIS FRENCH, Alaska State Legislature, as sponsor, introduced SB 15. He related that he came to the issue of pre- kindergarten school programs as a former prosecutor. He said in 2009 the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) delivered a study to the legislature based on a crime study called "The Cost of Crime." He explained that the study deal with the question whether the state could reduce future crime and save money by expanding education and treatment programs. He showed a slide called "How Effective Are Various Programs at Saving Money and Reducing Crime." He stated that the Head Start program for young children saves six times more than it costs and reduces future crime among participants by about 16 percentage points. He credited that information with the beginning of his interest in pre-kindergarten education as a crime deterrent. 8:04:36 AM SENATOR FRENCH recalled information from a crime summit in 2012. He addressed slides called, "More Education, Less Crime," "Washington State Institute for Public Policy," "Crime: The Big Picture," and "An Example of Prevention: Early Childhood Education (ECE)." 8:06:18 AM SENATOR FRENCH discussed the results of studies on crime prevention as a result of early childhood education: standardized test score went up, high school graduation rates increased, crime in later life decreased, special education placement decreased, as did other factors. SENATOR FRENCH showed cost benefit information related to early childhood education. He summarized that there was a three-to-one benefit on the investment versus the payoff for the child and for society. The largest benefits were in education gains and earnings. He concluded that early childhood education investments nearly always break even. He noted powerful, positive results from a three-year early childhood pilot program in Alaska. 8:09:33 AM SENATOR FRENCH summarized a handout from a survey from various states that have taken up pre-kindergarten programs. He noted the wide range of states that have implemented programs. He said SB 15 is straightforward and makes pre-kindergarten available on a voluntary basis for four-year-olds statewide. CHAIR STEVENS noted that he was familiar with the Washington State program on education research, a non-partisan organization. He requested more information about SB 15. 8:11:07 AM SENATOR FRENCH presented a sectional analysis. He related that Section 1 adds pre-kindergarten to the list of offerings in an elementary school. Section 2 allows pre-kindergarten children to be counted in the average daily membership at a half rate. Section 3 says a school district may provide a pre-kindergarten program for students who are four years old. He stressed that the program is optional. He continued to describe the sections of SB 15. Section 4 sets the age limit at four years old. Section 5 adds language on page 3 to say that pre-kindergarten programs can be supervised by school districts. Section 6 defines a child of pre-elementary school age versus a pre-kindergarten age. Section 7 adds to the duties of school boards the obligation to implement regulations for pre-kindergarten programs. Section 8 allows for counting children for average daily membership. Section 9 says the school district may not include in the average daily membership of a school, students who are four years of age if the students are enrolled in a program that receives state funding other than funding under this chapter. 8:13:45 AM SENATOR FRENCH said the fiscal note is for $45 million. He opined that it is a little over-inflated because it is extremely unlikely that every child that qualifies for pre-kindergarten would enroll the first year. He suggested that the program would take several years to ramp up. SENATOR GARDNER said she was not aware that kindergarten is funded at a half-time rate. She commented that all of the kindergarten programs in her district are full day programs. She asked why it is funded that way. SENATOR FRENCH indicated that he did not know. SENATOR DUNLEAVY wished to verify that the program is voluntary for students who are not currently in the system. SENATOR FRENCH responded that Senator Dunleavy brought up a good point. He noted that 10 percent of eligible kids are enrolled in Head Start, in a pilot program, or in a private school. That leaves about 90 percent of kids in daycare because most parents have to work. SENATOR DUNLEAVY commented on the issue of helping older students who are outside the system becoming part of the system. He said the bill would expand public education to include the students on a voluntary basis. SENATOR FRENCH said it was a point well taken. 8:16:23 AM SENATOR HUGGINS noted that correspondence students receive 80 percent of the base student allocation. He brought up the IDEA program and asked how the enrollment works. SENATOR FRENCH requested more information. SENATOR HUGGINS asked how much BSA an IDEA student would receive. 8:17:12 AM SENATOR FRENCH deferred to the school district experts to answer. He suggested that students enrolled in a classroom would receive 50 percent of the BSA and IDEA students would be funded separately. SENATOR DUNLEAVY said IDEA is a public school program. SENATOR FRENCH said he could envision the programs working together. SENATOR HUGGINS thought IDEA was one of the largest schools in the state. SENATOR FRENCH stressed the importance of collaboration. SENATOR HUGGINS inquired how Head Start compares to pre- kindergarten programs. SENATOR FRENCH replied that they are similar, but not the same. There is no overlap or competition between the two programs. He thought Head Start was "stalled out" given the federal funding situation and is aimed at low income kids. SENATOR HUGGINS asked if local daycare centers could expand their programs. SENATOR FRENCH responded that pre-kindergarten is not daycare. It involves having a person who is skilled in early childhood development and education. 8:20:05 AM SENATOR HUGGINS noted that there some parents that provide early childhood education well. He suggested a certificate may not be indicative of the success of a program. SENATOR FRENCH answered that some babysitters are talented kids who can instill a love for learning; some are not. He said he hoped the credentialing program produces teachers that are enthusiastic and talented at teaching children. SENATOR HUGGINS asked if the program was indicative of the fact that parents aren't parenting in the home or that the program is effective. SENATOR FRENCH responded that most parents want the best for their kids. He stated the pre-kindergarten program, which has been proven to improve the chance of a child's success in life, is worth some state investment and time. SENATOR HUGGINS asked if there are any gender factors. SENATOR FRENCH answered no. SENATOR DUNLEAVY stated that he applauded Senator French for considering all Alaskans in trying to provide a good education for kids. He asked if it matters where a child gets educated, as long as they receive an education. 8:22:20 AM SENATOR FRENCH replied said it does not matter where the education takes place. He said that ideally early childhood education would happen at home. CHAIR STEVENS reported that he was fascinated by the relationship between crime prevention and early childhood education. SENATOR DUNLEAVY asked if the program should be extended to non- public schools. SENATOR FRENCH explained that the fiscal note envisions every four-year-old in the state enrolled in an early education program in a school. SENATOR DUNLEAVY asked if it has to be in a public school. SENATOR FRENCH answered that the bill envisions it happening in a public school. He pointed out that the committee could change that. SENATOR DUNLEAVY asked if Senator French would not be adverse to all Alaskan children having an opportunity for a quality pre- kindergarten program. SENATOR FRENCH said the bill envisions a public school system, but the committee could change that. SENATOR DUNLEAVY emphasized that the most important thing is that the child receive a quality education. SENATOR FRENCH said yes. 8:24:53 AM LES MORSE, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Education & Early Development, answered questions related to SB 15. He addressed Senator Gardner's question about funding part-time kindergarten. He explained that if a kindergarten student is enrolled for at least 4 hours of school, five days a week, they are funded as full time. 8:26:05 AM SENATOR GARDNER asked if SB 15 were to pass, whether there would be adequate space. MR. MORSE responded that SB 15 did not address the issue of space. He opined that some districts would find that a challenge. CHAIR STEVENS ask Senator Huggins if he would like the IDEA program addressed. SENATOR HUGGINS noted that IDEA is a public education program. He wondered if it would work within the bill's parameters. MR. MORSE believed it would. SENATOR HUGGINS stated that he had a bias for rejuvenating the K-12 program. He suggested that there should be a way to address that. 8:28:44 AM MR. MORSE summarized that Senator Huggins was looking for a way to improve K-12. He noted that the department is moving forward on several things that addressed that issue, such as early literacy program that are within the current funding for grades 1 through 3. Another goal is to raise standards and try to get districts to develop more rigorous curriculum. 8:30:22 AM PETER HOEPFNER, School Board President, Cordova School Board, testified in support of SB 15. He commented on the benefits of pre-kindergarten programs, especially when programs such as Head Start and Best Beginnings are not available to the Cordova area. 8:31:49 AM At ease 8:32:29 AM CHAIR STEVENS opened public testimony on SB 15. 8:32:57 AM RICH RHODES, Superintendent, Wrangell School District, testified in support of SB 15. He noted his dissertation was on closing the achievement gap and he stressed the importance of preschool programs. He stated that education was also the answer to preventing recidivism in prisoners. 8:34:18 AM ELIZABETH COREY, representing herself, testified in support of SB 15. She shared a personal story of her son's behavioral improvement and success in preschool. 8:36:06 AM BETH SNYDER, Early Childhood Specialist, Anchorage School District, testified in support of SB 15. She shared the components of a successful, quality preschool program: a research-based curriculum, a teacher trained in early childhood, an on-going assessment system, and regular professional development. She shared data about personal growth exhibited by students enrolled in preschool. She said there is great carryover of preschool skills into kindergarten. She concluded that preschool works and it matters to children, communities, and families. It is a proven intervention and it strengthens the overall education system. 8:38:03 AM SENATOR GARDNER asked Ms. Snyder for clarification of the critical elements of a successful preschool program. MS. SNYDER reiterated those qualities. 8:38:26 AM DIRK SHUMAKER, Executive Director, Kids Corp., Inc., testified in support of SB 15. He concurred with the previous speaker's comments. He said the state's pilot preschool program shows that preschools can work and are successful. 8:39:59 AM CHAIR STEVENS held SB 15 in committee.