ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
March 25, 2008
3:07 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bob Roses, Vice Chair
Representative Anna Fairclough
Representative Wes Keller
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative Sharon Cissna
Representative Berta Gardner
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Peggy Wilson, Chair
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 241(SED)
"An Act relating to a report to the legislature on teacher
preparation, retention, and recruitment by the Board of Regents
of the University of Alaska; and providing for an effective
date."
- MOVED HCS CSSB 241(HES) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 397
"An Act creating a postsecondary scholarship grant program for
Alaska residents based on high achievement and financial need."
- MOVED CSHB 397(HES) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 403
"An Act appropriating $100,000,000 to the Alaska achievers'
scholarship fund; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD AND HELD
SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 306
"An Act relating to providing a voluntary pre-elementary program
within a school district; and providing for the establishment
and implementation of a statewide early childhood education
plan."
- HEARD AND HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 241
SHORT TITLE: UNIV. REPORT: TEACHER TRAINING/RETENTION
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) STEVENS BY REQUEST OF JT LEG EDUCATION
FUNDING TASK FORCE
01/18/08 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/18/08 (S) SED, HES
02/01/08 (S) SED AT 8:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
02/01/08 (S) Heard & Held
02/01/08 (S) MINUTE(SED)
02/06/08 (S) SED RPT CS 3DP 2NR NEW TITLE
02/06/08 (S) DP: STEVENS, WILKEN, DAVIS
02/06/08 (S) NR: OLSON, HUGGINS
02/06/08 (S) SED AT 8:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
02/06/08 (S) Moved CSSB 241(SED) Out of Committee
02/06/08 (S) MINUTE(SED)
02/13/08 (S) HES AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/13/08 (S) Moved CSSB 241(SED) Out of Committee
02/13/08 (S) MINUTE(HES)
02/15/08 (S) HES RPT CS(SED) 2DP 2NR
02/15/08 (S) DP: DAVIS, THOMAS
02/15/08 (S) NR: ELTON, DYSON
02/29/08 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
02/29/08 (S) VERSION: CSSB 241(SED)
03/03/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/03/08 (H) HES, FIN
03/11/08 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/11/08 (H) Heard & Held
03/11/08 (H) MINUTE(HES)
03/25/08 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
BILL: HB 397
SHORT TITLE: POSTSECONDARY SCHOLARSHIPS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) GUTTENBERG
02/19/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/19/08 (H) HES, FIN
03/13/08 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/13/08 (H) Heard & Held
03/13/08 (H) MINUTE(HES)
03/25/08 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
BILL: HB 403
SHORT TITLE: APPROP: SCHOLARSHIP FUND
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) GUTTENBERG
02/19/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/19/08 (H) HES, FIN
03/13/08 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/13/08 (H) Scheduled But Not Heard
03/25/08 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
BILL: HB 306
SHORT TITLE: PRE-ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAMS/PLANS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) GARA, KAWASAKI, NELSON, KERTTULA,
GRUENBERG
01/11/08 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/11/08
01/15/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/15/08 (H) HES, FIN
01/31/08 (H) SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE INTRODUCED
01/31/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/31/08 (H) HES, FIN
03/18/08 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
03/18/08 (H) Scheduled But Not Heard
03/25/08 (H) HES AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
WITNESS REGISTER
TIM LAMKIN, Staff
to Senator Gary Stevens
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HCS CSSB 241, Version M, on
behalf of Senator Stevens and at the request of the Joint
Legislative Education Funding Task Force.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID GUTTENBERG
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Speaking as the sponsor, answered questions
during the hearing on HB 397.
CHRISTIAN GOU-LEONHARDT, Staff
to Representative David Guttenberg
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Participated in the hearing on HB 397.
DIANE BARRANS, Executive Director
Postsecondary Education Commission
Department of Education and Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
397.
CHRISTIAN GOU-LEONHARDT, Staff
to Representative David Guttenberg
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 403 on behalf of
Representative Guttenberg, the sponsor.
REPRESENTATIVE LES GARA
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered a question during the hearing on
HB 403, and presented HB 306 as the sponsor.
EDDY JEANS, Director
School Finance And Facilities Section
Department Of Education And Early Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
306.
KIM LANGTON, PhD; Superintendent
Denali Borough School District
Healy, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 306.
CANDICE WINKLER, Chief Executive Officer
Child Care Connections
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on HB 306.
ABBE HENSLEY, Executive Director
Best Beginnings
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on HB 306.
ACTION NARRATIVE
VICE CHAIR BOB ROSES called the House Health, Education and
Social Services Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:07:21
PM. Representatives Roses, Gardner, Fairclough, Keller, and
Cissna were present at the call to order. Representative Seaton
arrived as the meeting was in progress.
SB 241-UNIV. REPORT: TEACHER TRAINING/RETENTION
3:08:07 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES announced that the first order of business
would be CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 241(SED), "An Act relating to a
report to the legislature on teacher preparation, retention, and
recruitment by the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska;
and providing for an effective date."
3:09:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH asked for an explanation of the
changes in Version M.
3:09:15 PM
TIM LAMKIN, Staff to Senator Gary Stevens, Alaska State
Legislature, spoke on behalf of the sponsor, Senator Stevens by
request of the Joint Legislative Education Funding Task Force.
He stated that, at the direction of committee members, included
in Version M are changes in the bill as follows: on page 1,
line 11, the reference to "past" plans has been struck; on page
1, line 14, "shall" has been replaced with "may"; on page 2,
line 1, "budgets" has been replaced with "fiscal notes and
outcome measures".
3:10:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH moved that the committee adopt HCS
CSSB 241, Version 25-LS1346\M, Mischel, 3/21/08, as the working
document. There being no objection, Version M was before the
committee.
3:10:36 PM
MR. LAMKIN added that the committee packet holds a draft letter
of intent. The letter of intent clarifies that the legislature
does not want to see the report process used to leverage new
monies in the University of Alaska (UA) budget.
3:11:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH moved to report HCS CSSB 241, Version
25-LS1346\M, Mischel, 3/21/08, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
3:11:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER objected. She then asked the sponsor
whether the report would reflect specific areas of teaching; for
example, special education, science, or math teachers.
3:12:14 PM
MR. LAMKIN explained that the wording of the section is broad
enough to not exclude those specialties; in fact, the UA can be
as specific as it wishes.
3:12:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER said that she would like the report to
include an understanding of the specific subsets of teachers.
She withdrew her objection.
3:12:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER objected. He advised that, although his
original concern that the bill proposed action beyond the
issuance of a report was addressed, the bill does allow the UA
discretion to provide limited information.
3:13:53 PM
MR. LAMKIN suggested that the committee adopt the letter of
intent.
3:14:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH expanded her motion to include the
letter of intent.
3:14:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER removed his objection.
There being no further objection, HCS CSSB 241(HES), including
the letter of intent, with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes was reported out of the House Health,
Education and Social Services Standing Committee.
3:14:34 PM
HB 397-POSTSECONDARY SCHOLARSHIPS
3:15:11 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 397, "An Act creating a postsecondary
scholarship grant program for Alaska residents based on high
achievement and financial need."
3:15:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID GUTTENBERG, Alaska State Legislature,
sponsor, referred to an electronic letter that addressed
questions raised during the previous hearing.
3:16:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH acknowledged receiving the information
electronically.
3:16:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG expressed his pride in the quality of
the testimony from the UA students.
3:17:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER moved that the committee adopt Amendment
1, that read:
Page 2, line 9, following "$1,000":
Insert "and not more than $5,000 a year"
3:18:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH objected.
3:18:18 PM
CHRISTIAN GOU-LEONHARDT, Staff to Representative David
Guttenberg, Alaska State Legislature, explained that Amendments
1 through 5 were proposed by the Postsecondary Education
Commission.
3:19:00 PM
DIANE BARRANS, Executive Director, Postsecondary Education
Commission, Department of Education and Early Development,
informed the committee that the original version of the bill did
not include an annual cap, or an aggregate cap, on the amount of
the scholarship. Amendment 1 would establish a maximum.
3:20:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH removed her objection.
3:20:43 PM
There being no further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
3:20:51 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES moved that the committee adopt Amendment 2,
that read:
Page 2, line 11, following "year.":
Insert "The commission may not award a
scholarship to an eligible applicant for more than
four years or more than a cumulative amount of
$20,000."
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH objected.
3:20:58 PM
MS. BARRANS stated that Amendment 2 creates a cumulative cap on
the amount of the scholarship.
3:21:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH removed her objection.
There being no further objection, Amendment 2 was adopted.
3:21:31 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES moved that the committee adopt Amendment 3, as
follows:
Page 3, line 22, following "AS 14.43.190":
Insert ",for the cost of administering the Alaska
achievers' scholarship program,"
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH objected.
3:21:40 PM
MS. BARRANS explained that the amendment ensures that any direct
cost to establish the program was to be paid by the fund.
3:21:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH removed her objection.
3:22:13 PM
There being no further objection, Amendment 3 was adopted.
3:22:20 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES moved that the committee adopt Amendment 4,
which read:
Page 3, line 16:
Delete "July"
Insert "May"
There being no objection, Amendment 4 was adopted.
3:22:48 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES moved that the committee adopt Amendment 5,
which read:
Page 2, line 23, following "achieved":
Delete "a"
Insert "and maintained a cumulative"
3:22:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH objected.
3:22:57 PM
MS. BARRANS stated that Amendment 5 establishes an ongoing
academic criteria in order for a student to continue to be
qualified for a scholarship after the initial receipt.
3:23:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH removed her objection.
There being no further objection, Amendment 5 was adopted.
3:23:23 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES moved that the committee adopt Amendment 6,
which read:
Page 2, line 16:
Delete "needed"
3:23:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH objected.
3:23:39 PM
MS. BARRANS noted that the word was extraneous and a source of
future debate.
3:23:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH remarked:
So the new sentence, for those listening at home, on
page 2, line 16, item (d) under 14.43.190, would say,
"The commission shall adopt regulations to administer
the program." With that, I'll withdraw my objection.
3:24:16 PM
There being no further objection, Amendment 6 was adopted.
3:24:23 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES moved that the committee adopt Amendment 7,
which read:
Page 4, following line 1:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"*Sec.3. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska
is amended by adding a new section to read:
ALASKA ACHIEVERS' SCHOLARSHIP FUND; TRANSITION.
Notwithstanding AS 14.43.195(c), added by sec. 2 of
this Act, the commissioner of revenue shall determine
the amount available for appropriation for
scholarships from the Alaska achievers' scholarship
fund as follows:
(1) as soon as practicable after the first
appropriation is deposited into the fund, the
commissioner shall determine the first full month-end
market value of the fund and identify five percent of
that amount available for the remainder of the fiscal
year;
(2) as soon as practicable after May 1,
2009, the commissioner shall determine the month-end
market value of the fund and identify five percent of
that amount as the amount available for the following
fiscal year; and
(3) as soon as practicable after May 1,
2010, the commissioner shall determine the average
month-end market value of the fund for the preceding
fiscal year and identify 10 percent of the amount as
the amount available for the following fiscal year."
3:24:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH objected.
3:24:38 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES paraphrased Amendment 7.
3:25:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER objected to offer Amendment 1 to
Amendment 7, as follows:
Page 1, line 16,
Delete "10"
Insert "five"
There being no objection, Amendment 1 to Amendment 7 was
adopted.
3:25:38 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:25:45 PM to 3:27:07 PM.
3:27:09 PM
MR. GOU-LEONHARDT explained that Amendment 7 adds transition
language to correct an omission in the original bill and allow
the determination of the market value of the fund.
3:28:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH withdrew her objection.
There being no further objection, Amendment 7, as amended, was
adopted.
3:28:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH moved to report HB 397, Version 25-
LS1395\M, Mischel, 3/21/08, as amended, out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, CSHB 397(HES), was reported out of the
House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee.
The committee took an at-ease from 3:29:02 PM to 3:32:12 PM
HB 403-APPROP: SCHOLARSHIP FUND
3:32:14 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 403, "An Act appropriating $100,000,000 to the
Alaska achievers' scholarship fund; and providing for an
effective date."
3:32:26 PM
CHRISTIAN GOU-LEONHARDT, Staff to Representative David
Guttenberg, Alaska State Legislature, speaking on behalf of the
sponsor, Representative Guttenberg, informed the committee that
HB 403 appropriates $100,000,000 to fund the scholarship program
endowment established by HB 397.
3:33:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH asked whether public testimony would
be heard.
3:33:16 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES called for public testimony. There being none,
public testimony was closed.
3:33:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH asked why the bill does not have any
dedication of funds and whether it is not necessary on an
appropriation bill.
3:34:02 PM
MR. GOU-LEONHARDT explained that, in HB 397, the enabling
language for the scholarship fund is found on page 3, line 21
through 23, and read:
"Money in the fund may be appropriated for
scholarships under AS 14.43.190 or for any other
public purpose. Nothing in this section creates a
dedicated fund."
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH further asked whether a dedication of
funds is necessary in HB 403.
3:35:04 PM
MS. BARRANS opined that the purpose of HB 403 was to create a
fund. [Her testimony was interrupted by technical difficulties.]
3:35:55 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES asked Representative Fairclough to re-state her
question.
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH remarked:
I understand that, in the bill that's already moved
from committee, that we created the shell, or the
framework to establish the fund and inside of that
there was a question about, or an answer to, "this is
not a dedicated fund." On page 1, of HB 403, on line
7, it says "endowment fund and does not lapse." And
usually when I see the "does not lapse" in other bills
that I've seen ... I've seen somehow a re-statement
that it is not a dedicated fund.
3:37:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LES GARA, Alaska State Legislature, explained
that a dedicated fund is created by saying, "in the future,
money should be put into this fund." A future legislature can
not be obligated to put money into a certain fund, and a certain
amount can not be dedicated to a particular fund. However, in
the appropriation process funds are always dedicated, for
example, to a bridge. Representative Gara concluded that there
is not a dedicated fund when the legislature makes an
appropriation.
3:38:26 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES pointed out that the issue was on the record
for the House Finance Committee to address.
3:38:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA affirmed that HB 403 would establish an
endowment that would not lapse and would be continued by its
interest and future funding. She opined that this funding could
turn the [low] education statistics around for the state.
3:39:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG agreed with Representative Cissna.
Furthermore, these funds, unlike dedicated funds, can be
reappropriated and are not locked away; future legislators can
access this money.
3:40:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH expressed her reluctance at
recommending an appropriation of $100 million, given the other
needs across the state. She compared the ways in which money is
disbursed and the difficulties in prioritizing the funding of
programs that are necessary for transportation, early education,
and other worthy programs. She concluded that advocating for
this type of funding with the rural and urban needs that exist
in Alaska is difficult.
3:42:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER stated that he would vote against the
bill. He recalled his support for the original concept that was
for a merit based scholarship program; however, the requirement
that a student maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average is
very different from scholarships that demand high levels of
achievement. He said that he understood the difficulty students
face as he struggled to pay for his own college education.
Representative Keller opined that the legislature needs to take
the time to establish a merit based program.
3:44:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA stressed that Alaska is not graduating
enough students with higher degrees, thus the state must import
its professional workforce and depend on oil and gas for
revenue. She expressed her belief that there must be incentives
to keep young people in the state. She pointed out that she,
also, paid for her college education. To address the funding of
how to support all of the worthy issues in the state would take
a comprehensive look at the budget during a session longer than
90 days. Representative Cissna concluded that growing the
state's economy is dependent on the passage of this bill.
3:47:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER reminded the committee that, nationally,
the U.S. is losing ground on the education front and statistics
show that Alaska is near the bottom in the U.S. There is an
overall need to promote education in general. She opined that
merit based scholarships serve a purpose to inspire high school
students; however, high achievers have a wide choice of where
they might attend college. A need-based scholarship program
would support students who have abilities but may have families
or need extra study time. She stated that the bill is part of a
long term plan to improve the education level of Alaska's
permanent residents.
3:50:15 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES announced that HB 403 would be held until it
could be considered by the full committee.
3:50:33 PM
HB 306-PRE-ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAMS/PLANS
3:50:53 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES announced that the final order of business
would be SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 306, "An Act
relating to providing a voluntary pre-elementary program within
a school district; and providing for the establishment and
implementation of a statewide early childhood education plan."
3:50:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LES GARA, Alaska State Legislature, introduced HB
306, as the sponsor. He cited widespread research that supports
expanding early education opportunities for kids, especially for
ages younger than six.
The committee took an at-ease from 3:52:10 PM to 3:56:55 PM.
3:56:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA continued his introduction of HB 306. Given
the benefits of early learning, pre-elementary programs, for the
ages of three to four, provide the most positive impact to help
the very young child; in fact, 40 states have a statewide early
learning program. In Alaska, there is a Head Start program for
children under the poverty level; however, due to underfunding,
over 50 percent of the children who qualify are not served.
Representative Gara referred to the Perry Preschool Project that
found that low-income children who participated in early
education graduated high school, graduated college, and earned
higher salaries at a higher rate than those who did not.
Additionally, the 1999 Abecedarian Study at the University of
North Carolina calculated that school districts save about
$11.00 per child on children who have attended pre-K programs.
Furthermore, the Federal Reserve Bank established economic
benefits associated with widespread early education. He then
noted that a study by the National Institute for Early Education
Research in 2004, found that children that attended state-funded
pre-K demonstrated improvements in vocabulary 31 percent greater
than those who did not participate, and 44 percent greater in
math. Looking at crime statistics, the University of Alaska
Southeast (UAS) showed that kids who attend early education
commit criminal acts and collect welfare in much smaller
numbers, and complete their education in much higher numbers.
He opined that the research that proves the effectiveness of
early education is compelling, even when programs are not
mandated.
4:02:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA continued to explain that the bill proposed
that the pre-K program be a standards-based system delivered
through local school districts. He then recalled that the Best
Beginnings task force encouraged the inclusion of a statewide
quality rating system for providers that would assist parents in
selecting programs for their children. He acknowledged that
there are many options for the committee to consider, such as
assessing a sliding payment scale to cover a portion of the
cost. Representative Gara expressed his hope that, due to the
evidence of the value of early education, a universally
available, pre-K educational system would soon be in place in
the state.
4:03:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH recognized the value of socialization,
development of motor skills, and school readiness that takes
place in preschool, but asked how the school system would house
the additional number of students without displacing existing
students. She also asked whether transportation would be
provided and asked for an estimate of that additional cost.
4:05:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA explained that the fiscal note would not
provide $163 million, unless the program was provided free and
every child participated. However, the school construction issue
is a hurdle; in fact, the legislature could not require that
this program was to be implemented by school districts
immediately. He pointed out that the bill proposes for the
state to establish the standards and for the school districts to
develop a program to provide services on a voluntary basis and
as space allows.
4:07:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH further asked whether there would be
accommodations for special needs children. She opined that
parents are responsible for providing for their children's needs
to the best of their ability.
4:08:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA agreed and stated that a sliding scale fee
would allow those parents who can to pay, and yet provide for
children in need. For example, in Anchorage, there are two
early education programs operating through the school district
with income qualification systems.
4:09:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER observed that Head Start is a preschool
program targeted at children who are at risk for a variety of
reasons. She asked whether there are advantages of simply
funding Head Start at a level so that every child who was
qualified could attend.
REPRESENTATIVE GARA stated that, one problem with Head Start is
the lack of a mixture of kids from all income levels and
backgrounds. Furthermore, Head Start often has funding
shortages. Although a strong program, Head Start is not
particularly flexible.
4:12:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA advocated for the Head Start program to be
incorporated into the provisions of the bill.
4:13:27 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES clarified that the question asked how
adequately funding Head Start would differ from this program.
He opined that the Department of Education and Early Development
(DEED) has very little oversight over Head Start.
4:13:46 PM
EDDY JEANS, Director, School Finance And Facilities Section,
Department of Education and Early Development, opined that there
would be substantial differences between Head Start and an early
education program through the school districts. Head Start
programs are federal and a strong component of its program
involves medical and dental services that are beyond the scope
of public school.
4:14:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER further asked whether the state could
provide preschool services less expensively than Head Start.
4:14:57 PM
MR. JEANS said that there is a place for both systems. He
pointed out that kindergarten is optional in Alaska; the
kindergartens are full and most are operating on a full-time
basis. He stated that transportation home is not offered for
kindergarteners and transportation costs were not included in
the fiscal note attached to HB 306. He acknowledged that the
inclusion of preschool programs would lead to capital requests
to expand the capacity of schools. Mr. Jeans assured the
committee that three and four year olds with special needs are
already being served by local school districts.
4:16:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA informed that committee that there are
federal funds provided in order for states to partner with
federal government programs; the Head Start program may fit
here. She then suggested that the charter school concept may
be an affordable model for this legislation.
4:18:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA agreed that the charter school model might
work. He indicated that Head Start staff use home visits to
encourage the involvement of parents. The bill provides that
school districts use existing structures and programs to deliver
early education.
4:20:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked whether local school districts have
the ability to charge, on a sliding scale, for the education of
children.
4:20:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA answered that sliding scale fees are not
addressed directly in the bill, but there was broad latitude for
school districts to devise a program. He agreed that the
language could be clarified to allow this ability.
4:21:31 PM
MR. JEANS responded that school districts have the ability to
offer preschool programs and charge parents a fee. However, the
law does not provide for state support for three and four year
olds, unless a child has disabilities.
4:22:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON further asked whether HB 306 directly
provides state support.
4:22:13 PM
MR. JEANS said yes.
4:22:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON referred to page 1, line 14, and asked
whether "funded on a pro rata basis with a priority for low-
income families" was the funding standard or whether the funding
mechanism would be basic student aid.
4:22:46 PM
MR. JEANS responded that he would request direction from the
Department of Law (DOL) on that point. He affirmed that school
districts can provide a higher allocation for low-income
families, but was unsure whether there could be a sliding scale.
4:23:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked for a future response.
4:23:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA asked whether this legislation, with or
without state support, can act as an option or a solution for
communities to view and expand.
4:24:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA agreed that the bill would create a shell of
a program that, if not funded by the state, relieves any school
district from the obligation of providing pre-K education.
Anticipating limited funding by the state, the bill does require
school districts to provide pre-K education to as many children
as the state provides funds for. Enactment of HB 306 would
provide the structure.
4:25:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA expressed her wish that, instead of
standing still, the legislature would create structures that
allow communities to begin solving problems, further supported
by the possibility of future legislation and future funding.
4:26:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER asked whether the cost for the DEED to
devise the program was included in the fiscal note.
4:27:18 PM
MR. JEANS explained that there is staff at the DEED that works
on early education guidelines. The fiscal note attached to HB
306 represents costs through the foundation program and does not
represent DEED staff costs.
4:27:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH observed that the legislature passed a
substantial education budget this year. She asked
Representative Gara to estimate the percentage of the education
"pie" that should be allowed for preschool, given the shortages
in education appropriations for weatherization, energy costs,
and retirement and benefits.
4:29:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA stated that a partial program would begin to
open some classrooms. He opined that a $30 million investment
in education should be a high priority. He referred to the
possibility that the legislature will approve payment of $500 to
all residents, to offset energy costs, and stated that his
preference would be to fund educational programs. Educational
programs to support college students and young children make a
lasting effect on people's lives.
4:30:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH re-stated her question about how to
allocate educational costs. For example, should one-half go to
K-12 education.
4:32:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA answered that early education is a top
priority. Reducing class size for grades K through five is very
expensive, so money may be better spent to involve parents and
fund early education. He reminded the committee that money
spent in early education is even more effective than an increase
in the foundation formula. Representative Gara listed several
educational and financial aid programs that he described as
underfunded.
4:34:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH expressed her hesitation to support
the bill considering the unanswered questions of transportation
costs, expanded capital costs, and the constitutional issues.
4:35:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA observed that for the last six years
legislators have said, "We can't fund it because it hasn't been
designed yet." The bill instructs the DEED to devise standards;
the first step to a universal early education system. He
questioned the purpose of avoiding the first step, and ignoring
the advice from the Best Beginnings task force.
4:36:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH suggested that a pilot program in
rural Alaska would provide indicators of the success of the
program and information sufficient to create a business plan,
with measurable outcomes, to submit to legislators. She further
suggested that Representative Gara approach the administration
to establish support and credibility for the program.
4:38:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA conceded that he will not be able to
interest the administration in implementing a program. The Best
Beginnings task force was comprised of a broad cross section of
influential people; however, there has not been a response to
their recommendations. In fact, the Palin Administration has
rejected a pilot project. He agreed that there was need for a
governor to champion the issue.
4:40:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA opined that a great deal of money has been
spent on programs with fewer positive outcomes substantiated in
research. If, in fact, there was an interest in making a
difference for education, the funding would be looked at as a
budget issue by the appropriate committees. She opined that
successful methods of educating children are known; however,
funding is a continuing issue with constant changes in the
legislature and in the administration. Representative Cissna
challenged legislators to care about education issues and to
have the will to make a difference.
4:43:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH remarked:
I believe that we keep delegating our responsibility
to other people, to come back with solutions and we
never have buy-in from the legislature. ... If you do
not have legislators involved in a process ... to
commit to something where you get people believing and
pulling the rope the same direction, that we continue
to spin. ... I think [solutions] are there, it just
requires a cooperative effort.
4:44:59 PM
KIM LANGTON, PhD; Superintendent, Denali Borough School
District, informed the committee of his experience working in
the Iditarod Area School District, the Kuspuk School District,
and the Denali Borough School District. He opined that the
issues dealing with the younger child generate the most
excitement among parents and communities. He noted the positive
impact of an early education program that was begun in 2001, in
Aniak. In the Bush, children often do not have the language and
comprehension skills needed for success later on in school. Dr.
Langton stressed that early exposure to a print-rich and verbal-
rich environment is critical for effective later learning. He
observed that, if the state is sincere about achievement for the
kids in rural Alaska, a program of pre-school is required.
4:47:40 PM
CANDICE WINKLER, Chief Executive Officer, Child Care
Connections, expressed her support of the intent of the bill,
adding her belief that these services need to be expanded beyond
the school districts and should include child care programs,
private preschool programs, and Head Start programs that meet
certain standards. Rating the existing programs, as previously
suggested, would ensure that pre-K services could be delivered
through a mixed approach. She opined that a mixed approach has
been proven to be effective and efficient, and would meet
parent's needs, reduce duplication, and improve community based
programs. Ms. Winkler agreed that it is the responsibility of
the legislature to review recommendations of citizen committees
and become involved. Ms. Winkler stated that early education is
good public policy and benefits economic development in that it
would help the state remain competitive in a global economy.
The research is clear that funding to support quality early
education creates a high return on the investment. She assured
the committee that there was plenty of research available to
support early education and encouraged the legislature to pursue
this issue.
4:54:51 PM
ABBE HENSLEY, Executive Director, Best Beginnings, informed the
committee that Best Beginnings is a statewide initiative that
brings together people and resources to ensure that all Alaskan
children begin school ready for success. She pointed out the
importance of delivering early learning opportunities through
diverse delivery systems versus the public school system. In
fact, a recommendation from the Ready to Read, Ready to Learn
task force was to develop a statewide system of voluntary and
affordable early childhood education with options for parents
and families wherever they are. Additionally, Best Beginnings
is focusing on children from birth to age 6, and working with
families to provide learning opportunities in a variety of ways.
Ms. Hensley encouraged the committee to look carefully at
providing opportunities for the children in Alaska to
successfully begin school, and prepare for the rest of their
lives.
4:59:48 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES announced that public testimony would be kept
open for further discussion.
5:00:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked whether deleting Sections 1 and 2
would allow the bill to move forward.
5:01:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA acknowledged that this September, there will
not be a statewide education program. Moreover, without any
changes to the bill, the program would be further delayed. He
agreed with the deletion of Sections 1 through 4 and the passage
of Section 5, with the intent to allow the DEED to devise an
efficient and effective early education program.
5:02:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER offered Conceptual Amendment 1, which
deletes from page 1, line 5, through page 4, line 8, leaving
only Section 5 of the bill.
5:02:46 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES objected.
5:02:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER opined that the amendment contains the
"nub" of the bill and would move the bill expeditiously.
5:03:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER observed that there would be further
public testimony, therefore, there would also be time to draft a
committee substitute (CS).
5:03:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH stated her support for the amendment,
for further testimony, and for the submission of a CS.
5:03:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked for comments from Mr. Jeans of the
DEED.
5:04:05 PM
MR. JEANS stated his support for the amendment.
5:04:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA suggested that Section 3 also contained
language necessary for the bill.
5:04:51 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES re-stated that the proposal by Representative
Seaton was to eliminate Sections 1 and 2.
5:05:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA affirmed that Sections 3 and 5, but not
Section 4, should be retained.
5:05:15 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES suggested that Representative Gardner work with
the sponsor to draft a CS, rather than proceeding with action on
the offered amendment.
5:05:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER withdrew her amendment and commented that
the last three lines of Section 5 could include the significant
language from Section 3.
5:06:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH spoke in opposition to language that
incorporates "devise and implement".
5:06:30 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES affirmed that the CS would propose a well
designated plan as opposed to implementation of an immediate
program.
5:06:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARA stated his intent to provide a CS.
5:07:07 PM
VICE CHAIR ROSES announced that SSHB 306 would be held.
5:07:23 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee meeting
was adjourned at 5:07 p.m.