JOINT HOUSE & SENATE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES February 21, 1996 9:06 a.m. HOUSE MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Cynthia Toohey, Co-Chair Representative Con Bunde, Co-Chair Representative Gary Davis Representative Norman Rokeberg Representative Tom Brice Representative Caren Robinson HOUSE MEMBERS ABSENT Representative Al Vezey SENATE MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Lyda Green, Chairman Senator Loren Leman, Vice-Chairman Senator Mike Miller Senator Johnny Ellis Senator Judy Salo SENATE MEMBERS ABSENT All members present COMMITTEE CALENDAR Confirmation: State Board of Education, Susan Stitham ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 96-11, SIDE A Confirmation: State Board of Education, Susan Stitham CHAIRMAN GREEN called the Joint House & Senate Health, Education and Social Services (HESS) Committee to order at 9:06 a.m. and informed the committee that the consideration of Susan Stitham to the State Board of Education was the only item before the committee. She invited Ms. Stitham to the table. Number 018 SUSAN STITHAM informed the committee that an addendum should be attached to her resume. She has been working with the board since September. Ms. Stitham specified the following areas making up the State Board of Education agenda: the foundation formula, teacher and student standards, assessments of those standards, Alaska Native Student learning, parental involvement, and a common agenda between the Board of Regents and the Board of Education. A subcommittee consisting of three members of the Board of Regents and three members of the Board of Education are attempting to establish a common agenda for education. The subcommittee wants to consolidate resources. Number 073 REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY informed the committee of an article in Newsweek discussing the brains of children. This article illustrated that the functional basis of the brain is established between birth and the age of five. This knowledge should be considered in our educational system. Representative Toohey said that without that basis, the effort after five years of age is pointless. SUSAN STITHAM did not believe that the work with children after five years of age was pointless, although, it may be more work. REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY illustrated her point with the following example: a child born with cataracts that does not get those cataracts cleared until after five years of age would be blind because the synapses were not formed in those critical years. The same can be said for the brain. Without utilizing those early years, the brain will not function at its peak. SUSAN STITHAM agreed that the early years are the most important. Number 103 REPRESENTATIVE BUNDE believed that kindergarten teachers are the most important teachers and therefore, should be paid more. SUSAN STITHAM agreed. CHAIRMAN GREEN asked if Ms. Stitham viewed the Board of Regents and Board of Education subcommittee as an opportunity to make some headway in the university offering classes to accommodate the ever changing educational environment. SUSAN STITHAM stated that the subcommittee had developed two priorities: the preparation of students for the university - particularly, Native Alaskan students; and the preparation of teachers. Ms. Stitham believed that the teacher standards adopted by previous state boards and regulations are a basis for the changing educational environment. A group is working on that now. Never before have student and teacher standards been agreed upon. REPRESENTATIVE BUNDE inquired as to Ms. Stitham's opinion regarding whether a certificate of attendance rather than a diploma should be issued to those who are illiterate when they leave high school. SUSAN STITHAM indicated that perhaps, different types of diplomas would be appropriate. New York State has had a Regents Diploma for years. Ms. Stitham emphasized that focusing on the standards in all grade levels is very important. Those standards effect what employers want. Ms. Stitham pointed out that English is really a vocation because most jobs require these skills. Children are being prepared for choices later in life and no matter if they go directly to the university or work, they are all learners. Number 168 REPRESENTATIVE BUNDE agreed with the establishment of standards for students, but what about those students who do not follow the required standards. SUSAN STITHAM said that those students should be provided with other opportunities. Today, more is known about how to help children learn and illustrate what they have learned. In discussion with Senator Leman, Ms. Stitham discovered that the addendum to her resume had a typo. The 1993 Interior Aids Association Award for Promoting AIDS should have the word "Awareness" at the end. SENATOR LEMAN noted that Ms. Stitham had been in Alaska's educational system for almost 30 years. Do you have any suggestions to decrease the cost of education while delivering a quality education? This is imperative in the wake of all the budget reductions. SUSAN STITHAM identified the following issues: can quality education be delivered at a reduced cost and where will the money come from to pay for the education? She was unsure of a manner in which to achieve a reduction in the cost of education. However, education money could be utilized differently. For example, research illustrates that early on small class size is very important which is expensive when professionals are utilized. She suggested that adults, not necessarily licensed teachers, could be utilized in the classroom. She recognized that using adults would not necessarily be cheaper, but it could achieve the goal in a different manner. Some schools do not have counselors because the ratio of student to teacher is such that the teacher can work with the student on that basis. Number 235 SENATOR LEMAN encouraged Ms. Stitham and the board to tackle this issue. He agreed with Ms. Stitham that "thinking outside the box" is necessary. REPRESENTATIVE BUNDE pointed out that 65 percent of the public that does not have a child in school are frustrated with the education product and its cost. Their frustration could be eliminated by improving the product, decreasing the cost, or both. Personally, Representative Bunde said that he would be more satisfied if the product was better, the cost would be secondary. He informed everyone that the board had attempted to rewrite the foundation formula, but as it drew close to completion the board quit. He asked Ms. Stitham of her intentions regarding the foundation formula. SUSAN STITHAM stressed that there is a commitment to rewriting the foundation formula. The board is not backing away. This year, some minimals were brought to the legislature in order to comply with federal requirements. She noted that there is a meeting on this today. She was sure that there would be recommendations brought forth next year. Ms. Stitham agreed with Representative Bunde regarding the frustration with the education product. However, national surveys in Alaska contend that on an individual basis, individuals believe that their child is getting a good education and that their school is doing a good job. Those individuals are concerned about others. She estimated that 25-30 percent of the children are receiving a good education. The remaining children are of great concern. Ms. Stitham did not believe that current knowledge was being used to reach discouraged learners, indifferent learners, or those who have different goals. The children reflect the world in which they live. REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY encouraged concentrating on children from birth to age four. CHAIRMAN GREEN said that the report would be forwarded for the appropriate action. There being no further business before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 a.m.