Alaska State Legislature

News From The Senate and House Majorities

Ken Freeman (907) 465-3804
Wendy Lindskoog (907) 465-4582
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

Republican-Led Majority Seeks Governor's Support to Improve Education in Alaska

For Immediate Release: May 9, 1997 Contact: Ken Freeman (907) 465-3804 or Wendy Lindskoog (907) 465-4582

JUNEAU - Keeping with the Republican-led Majority's "Commitment to Alaska" to reform education, Representative Con Bunde and Senator Gary Wilken Friday highlighted legislative initiatives that will improve accountability and establish measurable standards to position Alaska's youth for the 21st century.

"Education is a top priority of this Legislature," said Representative Con Bunde, Chairman of the House Health, Education and Social Services Committee, sponsor of these bills. "These three measures go a long way to improve the education our students receive."

The Legislature today transmitted three bills to the governor:

HB 145: Calls for establishing an examination all new teachers must pass to demonstrate a minimum level of competency in basic skills before they can become certified to teach in Alaska.

HB 146: Requires high-school students to pass a basic competency examination in the areas of reading, English and mathematics before receiving a secondary school diploma.

HB 147: Allows for the expansion of the boarding school program in the State of Alaska.

Senate HESS Chairman Gary Wilken said one of the most important steps the Legislature took to promote education was to fully fund education in this year's budget. "We are committed to reducing state spending by $60 million, but we are equally committed to fully funding education," said Wilken. He further noted that the area in dire need of an overhaul is Alaska’s Foundation Formula.

"Rewriting the foundation formula is a complex endeavor," said Wilken. "We have decided to spend two years revamping the formula so we make appropriate changes that will work for all citizens in our state."

Bunde said HB 145 requires all new teachers, in order to be certified in the State of Alaska, to pass an exam to exhibit their basic competencies as well as their abilities in specialty areas. "We want to have confidence that our future teachers are well qualified and that Alaska will hire only the best," said Bunde.

"As schools in Alaska, in particular the rural areas, go through various transitions, I think it is important we allow districts to set up boarding schools that we hope will emulate the success Mt. Edgecumbe has experienced," said Bunde. "HB 147 will allow just this."

In a prepared press statement, the Governor's office Wednesday outlined the Department of Education concerns on HB 146, including the claim that HB 146 would label some children as failures. House Speaker Gail Phillips said the concerns raised by the administration are unwarranted.

"The intent of this legislation is to raise public expectations and encourage higher levels of achievement from students," said Phillips. "This bill does not set barriers, but rather sets goals for our high-school students."

"The current system is not educating enough of our students and we need to have a level of accountability to find out why," said Senate President Mike Miller. "HB 146 seeks to ensure that students have the skills and knowledge necessary to compete in the working world. This bill encourages teachers to structure curriculum so students will have those skills."

The administration argued tests need to be in place in the earlier years of schooling and Miller said he couldn't agree more.

"People seem to forget that annual tests are already administered to students -- the Iowa and California tests. These tests are given each year to students in fourth, eighth and eleventh grades," said Bunde. "The question is, what is being done with the results of these tests to improve the performance of students?" said Bunde.

"One of the concerns we frequently hear from parents, business leaders and Universities is that we have students with high school diplomas who are not able to function in the working and academic world," said Miller.

"We need to have an exam that evaluates the success of our educational system," said Bunde. "This allows for rational public debate concerning ways to improve our schools. HB 146 encourages just that. Testing will begin in the ninth grade. Giving students four opportunities to pass the test and/or remedial work necessary to pass."

"While Alaska is blessed by abundant natural resources, we must also put our energy toward advancing and protecting our precious human resources." Wilken said.

Two other bills that will also be transmitted to the Governor this week include:

HB 158, sponsored by Representative Fred Dyson, prohibits discrimination in public schools against part-time students attending private, correspondence or home schools.

SB 134, sponsored by Senator Loren Leman, amends Alaska's compulsory attendance law so the rights of parents who educate their children are recognized under state law.

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