SB 107-ESTABLISH K THROUGH 3 READING PROGRAM  8:04:33 AM CHAIR STEVENS announced that the first order of business would be SB 107. He noted the arrival of Senator Dunleavy. TIM LAMKIN, Staff, Senator Gary Stevens, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented information on SB 107 on behalf of the sponsor. He noted it was the second hearing of SB 107. He said he has been working with DEED to make several changes to the bill. He added that he is hoping to receive comments from school districts and school boards. 8:05:44 AM MIKE HANLEY, Commissioner, Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), Juneau, Alaska, answered questions related to SB 107. SUSAN MCCAULEY, Ph.D., Director, Teaching and Learning Support, Department of Education & Early Development, Juneau, Alaska, answered questions related to SB 107. She said that the focus of the discussion between the sponsor and the department is on page 2, lines 19 - 21 of the bill, seeking to find clarity regarding kinds of assessments required, and to define "instructional practices" and "staff development." This section requires those three things to be approved by the State Board of Education. Further on in the bill, districts are required to use practices, programs, and assessments as approved by the State Board of Education. 8:07:21 AM CHAIR STEVENS asked how many districts are already doing this. DR. MCCAULEY replied that the department has not specifically collected that data, but said her impressions are that the larger districts have these practices in place already and many smaller districts do, as well. She said all districts must have a screening assessment as of this coming fall. Diagnostic assessments are specifically mentioned in SB 139. She said it was her impression that many districts already use diagnostic assessments. Regarding a reading plan for students having difficulty, however, there is more variability across the state. 8:09:28 AM POSIE BOGGS, representing herself, Anchorage, Alaska, testified on SB 107. She shared a personal story about one of her children's difficulties with the district's reading program. She said she was testifying on behalf of two non-profit entities. She maintained that SB 107 and SB 139 are related. CHAIR STEVENS suggested the focus remain on SB 107. MS. BOGGS continued to say that in the minutes of January 29, it was stated that SB 107 is closely related to the READ Act in Colorado. She pointed out that READ focuses on students with significant reading deficiencies and SB 107 excludes, on page 7, line 29, those students with an IEP. The READ Act also distributed funds for a resource bank of assessments, instructional programing, and professional development. It awarded Literacy How a professional development contract. She requested that the committee consider why professional development in literacy instruction is needed. She stressed that all teachers be trained and prepared to teach reading, and that the legislature provide support for teacher training. CHAIR STEVENS thanked Ms. Boggs for her testimony. He agreed that professional development was important. SB 107 was held in committee pending input from districts and superintendents.