SENATE BILL NO. 9 "An Act relating to compulsory school attendance; and relating to the crime of contributing to the delinquency of a minor." 9:04:13 AM THOMAS OBERMEYER, STAFF, SENATOR BETTYE DAVIS, explained SB 9. He referred to the Sponsor Statement (copy on file). He stated that SB 9 would change the Alaska compulsory school attendance ages from 7-16 to 6-18. At the same time, it necessarily amends the criminal statute of contributing to the delinquency of a minor from the maximum age of 16 to 18. The legislative intent of the bill was to require all students to start school earlier when their brains are growing and developing at a dramatic rate from birth to age seven, and to stay in school long enough to graduate. The bill allowed earlier identification of children with learning disabilities and more time to take successful corrective action. The bill would not preclude parents from homeschooling children, using charter or alternative school, or any other of the twelve enumerated exceptions to compulsory education under AS 14.30.010(b), including completion of grade 12 or graduation from a secondary school before age 18. Mr. Obermeyer explained that the Alaska compulsory school age statute was out of date with modern educational practice and thinking. The law had not changed since territorial days when few children attended school beyond eighth grade or bothered to graduate, because most jobs did not require much education. The majority of Alaskan students were currently in school by age six and many by the minimum age five. Head Start and prekindergarten programs were growing in popularity. The state already funded a pilot prekindergarten program and SB 6 proposed funding such a program statewide. 9:09:56 AM Mr. Obermeyer explained the Sectional Summary (copy on file). He stated that Section 1 would raise the age from 16 to 18 for the crime of contributing to the delinquency of a minor for repeated absences from school. He explained that Section 2 would raise the compulsory school age from 16 to 18. He noted that Section 3 would amend an exception to the compulsory school attendance age to provide for graduation for a secondary school. He also referred to the high dropout rates in Alaska. SENATOR BETTYE DAVIS, stressed the importance of students to attend school, and receive a high school diploma. She pointed out that students would not be required to stay in school until the age of eighteen. Senator Thomas noted that there was a shift in the age of the workforce. He appreciated the change from 16 to 18. He queried the perspective of communities that have a focus on farming. Senator Davis could not comment on the farming communities. Co-Chair Stedman noted the fiscal impact note from the Department of Education and Early Development. 9:15:43 AM ANNE KILKENNY, MATSU (via teleconference), spoke in support of SB 9. She pointed out that her son had the desire to stop attending school at age 16. She felt that the bill was unenforceable without truancy officers, but would rather focus the money on teachers. She requested a tying the receipt of the Permanent Fund Dividend with school Senator Olson queried the bill sponsor's perspective on tying the receipt of the Permanent Fund Dividend with school attendance. Senator Davis stated that she was open to discussion. She pointed out that the state had not had truancy officers in many years. She noted that the bill would allow students to stay in school and encourage students to focus on graduation. Senator Olson queried the recent success of the truancy officers in Juneau. Senator Davis stated that the district felt the truancy officer enforcement was beneficial, although employing truancy officers was ultimately too expensive. Senator Bettye Davis thanked the committee for hearing the bill. SB 9 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration.