HB 64-READING PROFICIENCY TASK FORCE; DYSLEXIA                                                                     
                                                                                                                              
8:44:40 AM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR STEVENS  announced the consideration  of HB 64,  version J.                                                               
He said  this is the  third hearing on  the bill. He  talked with                                                               
the sponsor  about the Alaska  Education Challenge (AEC)  and how                                                               
it applies to the bill.  He asked Commissioner Johnson to address                                                               
this issue.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
8:45:29 AM                                                                                                                    
MICHAEL JOHNSON, Commissioner, Department  of Education and Early                                                               
Development (DEED), testified on HB  64. He discussed the AEC and                                                               
areas where it  would be appropriate to include the  topics of HB                                                               
64. He  pointed out that DEED  is also developing the  state plan                                                               
under the Every  Student Succeeds Act (ESSA),  which will include                                                               
reading strategies.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  STEVENS commented  that should  elements of  HB 64  not be                                                               
covered  in the  AEC, the  committee  would consider  HB 64  next                                                               
session. He  encouraged the people  interested in the bill  to go                                                               
ahead  with developing  a task  force that  would complement  the                                                               
AEC.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
8:47:48 AM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR STEVENS held HB 64 in committee.