SENATE BILL NO. 30 "An Act establishing the middle college program for public school students; and relating to the powers of the University of Alaska." 9:30:48 AM Co-Chair von Imhof relayed that the committee had heard the bill on March 6. There was a CS and one amendment for the committee's consideration. JULI LUCKY, STAFF, SENATOR NATASHA VON IMHOF, discussed the changes to the bill. She informed that proposed changes were also discussed by the sponsor's office during the initial presentation of the bill, and the CS was developed by the sponsor for the consideration of the committee. Ms. Lucky addressed an Explanation of Changes document (copy on file): Adds language to clarify that credits shall be "applicable toward pursuit of a degree or certificate at" the University of Alaska. [P2, Lines 18-19 and P4, Line 23] Replaces the requirement that all districts participate in the program with language requiring the University of Alaska to make the program available to district s that have eligible students who want to participate. [P2, Lines 20-22] Ms. Lucky noted that the University had submitted an indeterminate fiscal note and would be submitting a new revised fiscal note as a result of the language changes. Ms. Lucky continued to address the proposed changes to the bill: Adds references to parents to AS 14.30.780 (d), which requires districts to provide information about the Alaska Middle College Program. [P3, Lines 3-5] Clarifies that courses can be held at other alternate locations, not just high schools. The requirements for courses held in other locations did not change. [P3, lines 22-23] Allows a student to take up to 15 credits (increased from 12) per semester. [P4, line 3] Changes effective date to July 1, 2021. Removes prohibition against students paying tuition and other costs. Other technical changes to clarify intent that don't change the effect of the legislation. Ms. Lucky reiterated that the changes would require a new fiscal note, which would remain indeterminate. The fiscal note from the Department of Education and Early Development was a zero fiscal note and would still apply. 9:34:28 AM Ms. Lucky addressed Conceptual Amendment 1 (copy on file): INTENT OF AMENDMENT: Require, as part of the program information provided to students and parents by the school district, whether a failing grade on a course offered through the Alaska Middle College Program will appear on the student's official college transcript. Suggested Language: Page 3, line 16, following "program" Insert ", including whether a failed course will appear on the student's official college transcript" Ms. Lucky explained that the issue had come up in previous meetings regarding the middle college concept. There had been concern that students would understand the implications of failing a class in middle college, and the amendment would ensure that the information be clear to parents and students signing up for the program. 9:35:15 AM Co-Chair von Imhof noted that the sponsor and his staff was present to offer perspective on the CS and the amendment. 9:35:43 AM SENATOR GARY STEVENS, SPONSOR, expressed his appreciation to the committee. He thought the bill was extremely important for the University and the students of Alaska. TIM LAMKIN, STAFF, SENATOR GARY STEVENS, remarked that the CS was the result of a fair amount of work between the University and school districts over the previous several months. The CS was agreeable to the sponsor. Mr. Lamkin addressed Conceptual Amendment 1. He did not characterize the amendment as "unfriendly." He continued that the statute as written was intended to be flexible and create a model for the diverse demands and interests of the state's school districts. The Memorandums of Agreement that were in existence provided for academic counseling, and involvement of teachers and parents for identifying the rigors of college level work as well as the consequences of failure. He thought the amendment could be unnecessary, but it was not unfriendly. Co-Chair von Imhof thought the amendment was trying to clarify that when a person took a college class and received a grade, the grade would be present on the transcript and would follow a student throughout her or his academic career. She thought it was important for the information to be shared. 9:38:04 AM Senator Stevens understood Co-Chair von Imhof's remarks. He mentioned his own transcripts from college. He thought there would be a lot of work for the students in the high school before they would be allowed to take a college-level course. 9:38:48 AM Senator Bishop noted that Co-Chair von Imhof was the sponsor of the amendment. Co-Chair von Imhof stated that the committee would adopt the CS and then address the amendment. Senator Bishop asked if Co-Chair von Imhof had authored the amendment. Co-Chair von Imhof stated that the amendment was not authored by her personally. Senator Bishop wanted to have clarity on the intent of the amendment. He referenced Senator Stevens' comments about his transcript, and thought students do better academic work as time went on. He asked if the intent of the amendment was to make clear that the college-level work would be on a permanent transcript. Co-Chair von Imhof said "yes." She suggested the committee adopt the CS, and then have staff speak to the amendment in greater detail. 9:40:23 AM Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to ADOPT proposed committee substitute for SB 30, Work Draft 31-LS0052\E (Caouette, 3/4/20). There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. 9:40:48 AM Ms. Lucky stated that the concept behind the amendment had been brought up in previous hearings. She explained that the amendment would add to the notification to parents whether or not the course grade would go on a student's permanent transcript. There had been a concern in previous committees that high school students would not understand the implications of a permanent transcript. There was already a notification requirement in the bill. The amendment did not require any change other than parental notification that a course grade would or would not be on the student's permanent transcript. Ms. Lucky continued to address the proposed amendment. She explained that there would be a lot of counseling for students participating in the program. The amendment would provide the information before a student made the decision to be part of the program. She continued that whether a course appeared or not on a student's transcript would be made clear in the MOU between the University and the school districts. 9:43:14 AM Senator Bishop thought the amendment came down to informing students they were "in the big leagues." Ms. Lucky agreed with Senator Bishop's remarks. She furthered that students would learn the information throughout the process of deciding to take the class, but the additional written information proposed by the amendment would not present a burden. 9:43:54 AM Senator Wilson was not sure if the amendment was too specific. He addressed number 6 on page 3 of the bill. He thought the bill was broad enough. He discussed the withdrawal option at universities. He was concerned the amendment might be too prescriptive. Co-Chair von Imhof noted that the University was online to give testimony and could address the amendment. 9:44:58 AM PAUL LAYER, VICE PRESIDENT, ACADEMICS, STUDENTS AND RESEARCH, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA (via teleconference), relayed that the University of Alaska (UA) advised students of consequences to a permanent record, as well as dates such as a withdrawal date. He furthered that University staff worked with counselors and teachers in the high schools to ensure that students were aware of important dates. [Senator Olson entered the meeting 9:45:50] Co-Chair von Imhof asked if Mr. Layer could comment on the proposed amendment. Mr. Layer stated that UA did not object to the language in the amendment. He reiterated that the UA already informed students and parents of the information. 9:46:39 AM Ms. Lucky added the clarification that the amendment would not change any contract between the student and university, nor the MOU between UA and the district. The amendment would simply require that the information sent by the district include the proposed language about transcripts. Co-Chair Stedman commented that for parents that had never been to college, the information may be new. 9:47:40 AM Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to ADOPT Conceptual Amendment 1. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Co-Chair von Imhof noted that the fiscal note for DEED was still accurate, but the fiscal note from UA would need to be revised. Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to report CSSB 30(FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSSB 30(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with one forthcoming indeterminate fiscal note from the University and one new zero fiscal note from the Department of Education and Early Development.