SENATE BILL NO. 72 "An Act relating to civics education, civics examinations, and secondary school graduation requirements; and providing for an effective date." 1:08:07 PM SENATOR GARY STEVENS, SPONSOR, introduced the legislation. He stressed the importance of civics education. He remarked that there was a misunderstanding about the public process. He felt that children needed to be educated to understand what it meant to be a citizen of the country. He pointed out that there was a recent history of apathy about the civics process and involvement. He remarked that other states had taken efforts to improve civics education. He stated that there was a test for citizenship, that students should have as a requirement. Senator Hoffman wondered whether Senator Stevens had passed that test. Senator Stevens replied in the affirmative. Senator Hoffman wondered whether everyone who ran for state office should take the test. Senator Stevens replied that it was beyond his purview. Co-Chair Stedman looked at line 12, page 2 of the bill. He wondered why the percentage requirement is 60 and not 70. 1:13:54 PM TIM LAMKIN, STAFF, SENATOR GARY STEVENS, replied that the number was chosen by the prior committees and noted that it was a bare minimum passing grade, but stated that it could have an amendment. Co-Chair Stedman felt that a 70 percent score would be more reasonable. Senator Stevens deferred the subject to the commissioner of the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED). Senator Olson recalled that the exit exam was voted out of the legislature a few years prior. He noted that he voted it out, because there was an issue with how the questions might be asked or framed without understanding the different correct answers for the separate locations of the state. Senator Stevens replied that the exam was not intended as an exit exam, so the intention was to learn in the exam. Senator Olson pointed out that there would not be a second exam issued unless the student had received a passing score. Senator Stevens agreed, and stressed that it was not a one- shot test. 1:18:47 PM Mr. Lamkin discussed the Sectional Analysis (copy on file): Sec. 1: AS 14.03.076, relating to public schools, adds a new section a. directing the State Board of Education and Early Development (SBOE) to develop curriculum and a related assessment based on the civics portion of the naturalization examination administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship. The curriculum and assessment must also include systems of Alaska Tribal government; b. requiring students to pass the assessment established in (a) above in order to receive a high school diploma, with exceptions for students with a disability and who receive a waiver from their local school board; c. schools are to document on student transcripts when a student has passed the assessment, with the option for the student to retake the assessment; d. districts are required to report annually on their respective civics course offerings and overall average student score on the assessment; and e. a passing score is defined as correctly answering 60 percent or more on the civics assessment. Section 2: AS 14.07.168, relating to reporting requirements of the SBOE, to include in their annual report to the legislature a description of civics education curriculum in the state, of civics-related course offerings in respective districts, and of student performance on the assessment described in section 1, by district. Section 3: Provides for an effective date of July 1, 2022. Senator Olson queried the efforts of the short period of time until the effective date. Senator Stevens deferred to DEED. Co-Chair Bishop queried a plan to interface with tribal governments. Mr. Lamkin replied that there was a support from Alaska Native organizations, and were ready to have participation. 1:23:49 PM MICHAEL JOHNSON, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT, spoke in support of the legislation. He pointed out the lack of knowledge of U.S. civics, and noted that people 45 years old or older scored much higher than those under the age of 45. He stressed the importance of tribal government and affairs education, so there could be Alaska-specific education. He felt that it was a much needed effort to repair the system, but would not be a fix all. Senator Hoffman recalled that he knew someone who became a U.S. citizen in their nineties with a score of 100 percent. 1:30:36 PM Co-Chair Bishop asked about the involvement with tribal organizations to build the curriculum in time for the effective date. Commissioner Johnson stated that a curriculum had been introduced by First Alaskans Institute that could be incorporated into the exam. Co-Chair Stedman wondered how many schools in the state taught Alaska history. Commissioner Johnson agreed to provide that information. Co-Chair Bishop OPENED public testimony. 1:33:52 PM AMBER VASKA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TRIBAL GOVERNMENT AND CLIENT SERVICES, TANANA CHIEFS CONFERENCE, ALASKA REGIONAL COALITION, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke in support of the bill. Co-Chair Bishop CLOSED public testimony. Co-Chair Stedman wondered whether the test would be multiple choice. Senator Stevens replied in the affirmative. Senator Wielechowski wondered whether districts that already a civics curriculum had would need to redesign their curriculum. Senator Stevens replied that there would not be an expectation of districts to rewrite curriculum, but rather it would be universal across the state. 1:40:40 PM Senator Wielechowski asked how and when the exam would be taken. Senator Stevens replied that the test would not be an exit exam, but rather an attempt to ensure civics exposure education. Mr. Lamkin stated that every district had social studies requirements, but perhaps not specifically civics education. 1:41:57 PM AT EASE 1:42:07 PM RECONVENED 1:42:25 PM Co-Chair Bishop announced that the deadline for amendments would be Friday, February 4 at 4pm. SB 72 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. 1:43:07 PM AT EASE 1:45:36 PM RECONVENED