|
Hello and thank you for tuning in. I appreciate this opportunity to speak to you with a message from Juneau. Today I will provide you with updates on the legislation I am working on this session.
SB 372 Exit Exam
SB 372 reiterates the legislative intent behind the current statute and through unconditional language insures that children on Individualized Education Plans have the opportunity to be tested based on an individualized test. SB 372 makes it clear that assessment options for students with disabilities must expand beyond merely modified versions of the secondary school competency examination. The legislation creates an "individualized assessment" which is to be based upon performance standards established for the student in the student's IEP or education plan. Further, SB 372 allows a student with a severe cognitive disability to receive a diploma without having to take the exit exam if the student is eligible under board regulations to participate in an alternate assessment, successfully completes that assessment in grade 10, and meets other graduation requirements, such as those relating to credit hours. All students will be held accountable.
The exit exam was also created to hold schools accountable. We need an appropriate measurement of the success and failures of our schools to ensure that we are spending our education dollars wisely in order for all students to be offered a good education.
SB 372, which was developed in conjunction with the Department of Education and Early Development and based on personal experiences recounted to me by the education community and my constituents, was heard this week in Senate HESS.
SB 351 APOC
SB 351 mandates that the Alaska Public Offices Commission continue to accept paper filing of certain reports. Although it is appropriate to encourage APOC to develop the technological ability to accept electronic filing, this modernization should not create a system that discourages individuals from running for office simply because they lack computer skills or because the system may fail. SB 351 will be heard in the Senate Finance Committee next week.
SB 269 Parent Access to Child's Library Records
SB 269 clarifies that parents have the right to access their minor child's records at public libraries run by the state, municipality, public schools and universities, and nonprofit organizations. Right now parents have access to the library records of their children at public school libraries but the statute has been interpreted to restrict their access to the library records of their children at public libraries. This requires public libraries to keep information confidential-even from the parents of school age children. Parents should be entitled to ensure that materials their children check out are returned, fines are paid and replacement books purchased.
SB 269 passed the Senate and has moved from House HESS to House Judiciary.
SB 288 Emergency Child Custody Placement
SB 288 conforms state law to federal requirements by clearly establishing the language a judge must use when determining placement of a child who has previously been removed from the home. SB 269 passed the Senate and has moved from House HESS to House Judiciary.
SB 270 Avalanche Awareness Month
SB 270 establishes November as Avalanche Awareness Month. The Governor signed this bill into law on March 24, 2004.
SB 285 Medical Assistance Coverage
SB 285 expands medical assistance coverage for targeted case management services. It also clarifies that school districts can seek reimbursement as Medicaid providers for services provided to students for rehabilitative services. SB 285 passed the Senate and has moved from House HESS to House Finance.
SB 289 Extending The Special Education Service Agency
SB 289 extends the termination date of the special education service agency or SESA for another nine years. SESA assists school districts and educators to serve high-risk children with low incident disabilities. SB 289 unanimously passed the Senate and has moved from House Education to House Finance.
I would love to hear from you on any of these topics or anything else we are working on in the capitol.
For information on legislation I am working on, to read district updates, or to send me an email, please find my office on the internet at
You can also call the office directly, 907-465-6600 or toll free in state 1-877-465-6601. Please let me know if you would like to be included on my email distribution list for updates from the office.
# # # |
