SENATE BILL NO. 221 "An Act establishing an advisory task force on higher education in the legislative branch of government; and providing for an effective date." 9:08:31 AM SENATOR GARY STEVENS, sponsor of SB 221, explained that the bill was a direct result of having read, Crossing the Finish Line, by William G. Bowen. He reported being shocked by the conclusions on college completion made in the book. The University of Alaska has been dedicated to equal opportunity to affordability for students. It is a sobering fact that less than 60 percent of students entering a four- year college graduate. Senator Stevens related that the task force created by the bill will be charged with finding out the reason behind that statistic and solutions to the problem. He quoted from Bowen's book, "Educational attainment in the United States today is highly consequential." He said he has found that statement to be true in his experience. There are enormous consequences from getting an education. He shared statistics about individual, economic, and societal benefits of holding a college degree. He agreed with the title of the book's analogy of comparing post-secondary to running a foot race. Many compete, but 40 percent fall by the wayside along the way. He listed the roadblocks to success. Senator Stevens informed the committee as to the goals of the task force, such as to decrease the need for remedial education, to provide counseling, to help integrate students into campus life, and to increase retention rates. Senator Stevens summarized that the main job of the task force is to help the educational community to prepare students for their future. 9:14:44 AM TIM LAMKIN, STAFF, SENATOR GARY STEVENS, stated that CSSB 221 (EDC) would establish as task force that would consist of 18 members and encompass all of the stakeholders in the education pipeline to identify ways to improve preparation for college, decrease remediation, increase access to financial aid, increase retention and graduation rates, and track data. The task force members would consist of the governor or the governor's designee, the executive director of the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education or the executive director's designee, the commissioner of education and early development or the commissioner's designee, one member appointed by the governor who represents vocational, technical training, or apprenticeship programs in the state, a student representative appointed by the Board of Education and Early Development, the student member of the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska or the student's designee, the president of the University of Alaska or the president's designee, the executive director of the Association of Alaska School Boards or the executive director's designee, the executive director of the Alaska Association of School Administrators or the executive director's designee, the president of the National Education Association of Alaska or the president's designee, the president of the Alaska Federation of Natives or the president's designee, the chair of the Senate committee having jurisdiction over education, the chair of the House committee having jurisdiction over education, one member appointed by the governor who represents private colleges or universities, one member appointed by the governor who represents public postsecondary institutions and who is not affiliated with the University of Alaska, three members appointed by the governor who have specialized knowledge, skill, or experience in education remediation and who are employed as faculty at postsecondary institutions located in separate major administrative units in the state, at least one of whom resides outside of Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. Mr. Lamkin summarized that the task force would be tasked with a number of research and data compilations. The bill attempts to improve the education system in Alaska. 9:17:30 AM Co-Chair Stedman asked how the selection for the task force would take place when there are two co-chairs on the Senate Education Committee. Senator Stevens replied that there was no intention to exclude anyone. He mentioned that a superintendent was added to the task force after a suggestion was made. He thought only one member from the education committee should be included and suggested the wording could be changed to "chairs or co-chairs." Senator Thomas commented that from looking at the governor's proposed scholarship plan, it has become apparent that the current education structure needs addressing. The legislation will address some of the problems related to why students are not prepared for college. 9:19:08 AM Co-Chair Stedman noted three zero fiscal notes: two are from the Department of Education and Early Development, and one is from the Legislature. 9:19:31 AM MARILYN BARRY, ALASKA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY, testified via teleconference. She spoke in support of the legislation. She thought it important to distinguish between different types of students and their needs for remediation. Co-Chair Stedman asked what her job was. Ms. Barry said she was the academic dean. 9:21:34 AM SB 221 was heard and HELD in Committee for further consideration. AT-EASE 9:22:25 AM RECONVENED 9:23:34 AM