SJR 39 - SUPPORT READING EXCELLENCE ACT SENATOR ROBIN TAYLOR, sponsor of SJR 39, stated he is not alone in his concern about the current level of reading skills and the level those skills have dropped to over the last 20 years. He described an article in Forbes magazine about Boeing as follows. Boeing estimates it will lose over $2 billion because it was not able to complete projects and meet contract deadlines last year. The cause of the problem is that of the 12,000 new hires in its workforce, about 8,000 needed remediation in reading and math. The same article spoke about other major businesses across the United States experiencing the similar problem of entry level workers' inability to read. The purpose of SJR 39 is to notify Congress that Alaska supports the Reading Excellence Act, or S 1596, sponsored by Senator Paul Coverdell. The purpose of that Act is to teach every child to read in the early childhood years as soon as they are ready, or as soon as possible once they enter school, but not later than the third grade. The Act then goes on to provide $212 million for research, teaching, and individual grants for primary and secondary reading instruction. Senator Taylor said he would like to see Alaska be in a position to take advantage of that federal money and begin a pilot program. Alaska's student enrollment is less than many medium school districts elsewhere yet it is diverse. Senator Taylor explained S 1596 also provides for tutorial assistance, and 95 percent of the funds would go directly into instruction to children. It also authorizes grants to parents for tutorial assistance. Number 202 SENATOR GREEN stated, as a former teacher, she is struck by the notion that the Legislature is getting into somebody else's business thereby demeaning the profession of teachers. She said the Legislature must give assurance that it is striving for better performance and is not out to demean the teaching profession. Senator Green questioned whether the word "systematic" as contained in S 1596, is in relation to phonics. She noted literacy experts have been caught up on that word and she was unsure that any legislator knows the full implication of the word when it comes to an educational method of delivery. She asked Senator Taylor whether S 1596 specifically refers to phonics. SENATOR TAYLOR said it wouldn't dare because that word is so frightening to the professional community. He repeated the goal is that children learn to read. He maintained that over 30 years of research shows that phonics is one of the best methods to use. He noted the federal law will require that teachers use methods based on replicable research, research that is objective and valid, and that has had a peer review. He maintained that school districts seem to try a new approach about every two or three years without any follow-up; therefore no one knows which approach succeeded. S 1596 requires methods to be used that have been studied and for which empirical evidence is available. CHAIRMAN WILKEN noted that the words "phonics skills," rather than "phonics," are referred to on page 4 in two places. SENATOR WARD suggested adding "and all members of Congress" on line 17 after the word "Representative." SENATOR TAYLOR agreed the resolution should go to all members of Congress. SENATOR GREEN suggested naming Paul Coverdell as a recipient in the resolution. SENATOR TAYLOR agreed his name should be added. Number 202 SENATOR LEMAN stated he appreciates Senator Coverdell's promotion of individual education accounts which will give parents the flexibility to find the best educational opportunity for their children. He stated he would like to include endorsement of that type of approach to education in SJR 39 as he believes the two are interrelated. SENATOR TAYLOR commented SJR 39, especially in regard to the provision allowing tutorial grants, will accommodate those families who have one child out of several who has trouble reading who need special help. SENATOR LEMAN stated one of his concerns is that the Alaska Legislature will be promoting a federal program that has a high cost. He stated S 1596 requires that funds for teacher training be spent on programs proven effective by scientific research. He noted although he agrees with that concept, he offered a similar amendment regarding sex education to a bill several years ago which was defeated in the House. He agreed these programs should be based on valid research. Number 168 SENATOR TAYLOR commented that after listening to concerns that the bill is an unfunded mandate, he drafted a sponsor substitute which only requires that a nationally normed test be given to second graders to find out how students are faring in Alaska. That approach should determine how serious the problem is and should provide direction for future legislative action. If the students' scores are below the national average, the Legislature could recommend the use of phonics instruction in the curriculum and provide financial assistance to schools willing to use it to remove the mandate concept. SENATOR TAYLOR maintained that spending money on the problem in the lower grades will save money later on. CHAIRMAN WILKEN commented that everyone agrees on the end result Senator Taylor is trying to reach with SB 203, but everyone involved needs to agree on the way to go so all can buy in on the approach. Number 084 SENATOR WARD asked for suggestions on language to amend SJR 39 to include other members of Congress. CHAIRMAN WILKEN questioned whether SJR 39 will impede the progress of S 1596 by specifically referring to "phonics" on lines 8 and 10. He suggested deleting that reference and addressing the phonics issue in SB 203. SENATOR TAYLOR suggested replacing the language on line 17 with the following: "...Representative, and all of the members of Congress." SENATOR WARD moved to amend line 17 as Senator Taylor suggested. There being no objection, the motion carried. SENATOR LEMAN moved to add Senator Coverdell's name after the names of Alaska's Congressional delegation, in SJR 39. There being no objection, the motion carried. SENATOR WARD informed committee members he supports including the word "phonics" in SJR 39. BARBARA THOMPSON, Director of the Division of Teaching and Learning Support for the Alaska Department of Education (DOE), testified. DOE supports SJR 39 as it finds the illiteracy rate alarming and believes a greater emphasis on reading needs to occur. DOE supports phonics in the context of a balanced comprehensive reading program. SENATOR LEMAN commented that a weaker emphasis is now placed on phonics in the earlier grades than he experienced as an elementary grade student, and as a result, students experience more of a struggle when it comes to spelling and the interrelationship of letters to words. TAPE 98-20, SIDE A SENATOR WARD asked Ms. Thompson to articulate on DOE's position on using the word "phonics" in SJR 39. MS. THOMPSON replied DOE recognizes phonics as being a part of a balanced and comprehensive program.