Session Scorecard: Impact of AASB Priorities on Legislation

Posted on May 13, 2021

As the First Session of the 32nd Legislature concludes, we’ve compiled a summary of how key bills have aligned with AASB board policies and the priorities of our members.

Education issues were front and center as never before this session, generating a considerable amount of discussion, debate, and legislation. As part of AASB’s Advocacy efforts, over 100 education-related bills were tracked and their progress mapped.

AASB provided testimony to committees and consultation to legislators on a range of education bills. This input, coupled with crucial testimony by school board members, truly made a positive impact this year.

A majority of bills introduced this session did not advance very far through the legislative process. Many will be taken up again when the Second Session of the 32nd Legislature convenes in January 2022. Most of the 28 bills on this list have received committee hearings and have a greater likelihood of becoming law and impacting school district operations.

Many thanks to all who advocated for Alaska’s students by participating in AASB Legislative Academies, Zoom meetings with legislators, and providing oral and written testimony to committees. Your experience and counsel was heard and appreciated by lawmakers, and made a difference in helping to shape key education legislation.

Click on a bill number to see the full text, legislative action taken, fiscal note, and other information.

HB 18 – Teachers; National Board Certification

AASB provided testimony in support of HB18 in House State Affairs and Education Committees

B.20 – Quality Staff Improves Student Learning
2.4 – Encouraging the Legislature to Fund a Grant Program for School Improvement Strategies
4.1 – Supports for Staff Development
5.23 – Supporting Innovation and Collaboration to Improve Student Achievement for All Alaskan Students

HB 19 – Limited Teachers Certificates; Languages

AASB provided testimony in support of HB 19 in House Education Committee

B.12 – Language, Cultural, And Ethnic Diversity
4.5 – Addressing the Teacher, Specialist and Administrator Shortage
4.11 – Alternative Pathways to Certify Effective Teachers
4.16 – Supporting Effective, Culturally-Integrated Pedagogy in Alaska
5.3 – Alaska Native Indigenous Language Program Development
5.28 – Supporting the Preservation and Restoration of Alaska NAtivie Indigenous Languages

HB 25 – Public Schools; Social/Emotional Learning

AASB worked with sponsor and provided input as well as providing testimony in support of HB 25 in House Education Committee

B.17 – Declaring Children the Top Priority of Alaska
B.22 – Educational Improvement
2.55 – Urging Dedicated Funding Outside the Foundation Funding Formula
3.2 – Promoting Student Success Through Social/Emotional Learning amd Positive Youth Development and Support
3.9 – Safe, Caring, and Connected Schools
3.10 – Support of State Funding for Student Health Services in Alaska
3.16 – Revise Parental Permission Requirements for Questionnaires and Surveys Administered in Public Schools
3.17 – Student Wellness
3.26 – Supporting the Adoption of Trauma-Informed and Culturally Relevant Practices to Improve Student Achievement and Reduce Behavioral Deficits for All Alaskan Students
5.11 – Encouraging Districts to Adopt Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs

HB 43 – Extend Special Education Service Agency

2.5 – AASB Advocacy on Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act
2.7 – Funding for Intensive Needs Pre-School and Other Intensive Needs Students Enrolling Post-Count Date
3.3 – Fetal Alcohol and Drug Exposed Students
4.4 – Special Education and Related Services Training

HB 47 – Council for Alaska Native Languages

B.12 – Language, Cultural, and Ethnic Diversity
B.19 – Alaska Native Teacher Hire and Retention
4.16 – Supporting Effective, Culturally-Integrated Pedagogy in Alaska
5.3 – Alaska Native Indigenous Language Program Development
5.7 – Requesting the State to Provide Standards-Based Assessments in Alaska Native Indigenous Languages
5.12 – Urging Continuation of the Alaska Native Education Act
5.23 – Supporting Innovative and Collaboration to Improve Student Achievement for All Alaskan Students
5.24 – Recognizing the Value of the Annual Elders & Youth Conference and AFN Convention Provides Students
5.28 – Supporting the Preservation and Restoration of Alaska Native Indigenous Languages
5.29 – Urging a Statewide Annual Alaska Indigenous Language Conference
5.31 – Alaska Standards for Culturally Responsive Schools
5.32 – Alaska History Textbook

HB 48 – Alaska Performance Scholarship Eligibility

AASB provided testimony in support of HB 48 in House Education Committee

5.21 – Supporting the Alaska Performance Scholarship Program
5.22 – Supporting CTE Credits for the Alaska Performance Scholarship Program

HB 53 – Military Children School Residential Waiver

AASB provided testimony in support of HB 58 in House Health & Social Services and Labor & Commerce Committees

B 18 – Equity in Education
2.16 Funding for Transient Students in Schools

HB 60 – Public Schools; Mental Health Education

AASB provided testimony in support of HB 60 in House Education Committee

B.17 – Declaring Children the Top Priority of Alaska
B.22 – Educational Improvement
2.55 – Urging Dedicated Funding Outside the Foundation Funding Formula
3.2 – Promoting Student Success Through Social/Emotional Learning and Positive Youth Development and Support
3.9 – Safe, Caring, and Connected Schools
3.10 – Support of State Funding for Student Health Services in Alaska
3.16 – Revise Parental Permission Requirements for Questionnaires and Surveys Administered in Public Schools
3.17 – Student Wellness
3.26 – Supporting the Adoption of Trauma-Informed and Culturally Relevant Practices to Improve Student Achievement and Reduce Behavioral Deficits for All Alaskan Students
5.11 – Encouraging Districts to Adopt Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs

HB 113 – Health Insurance; All-Payer Claims Database

2.17 – Insurance Costs
3.21 – Supporting Expansion of Health Insurance Coverages to School-Age Children and their Families
3.23 – Support of Full State Funding of Public Health Requirements
4.8 – Relating to Health Care Costs and Insurance

HB 134 – Alaska Marine Highway System Operations and Planning Board

2.21 Reliable and Efficient Service by the Alaska Marine Highway System
2.30 – Urging State Travel Assistance for State-Level Competitions
2.38 – Urging the State of Alaska to Fund Alternate Modes of Transportation for All Districts

HB 164 – Early Education Programs; Reading, Virtual Education

AASB provided input to sponsor as well as testifying in support of HB 164 in House Education Committee

B.10 – Funding for Early Education Programs in Alaska
B.13 – Increase in Family and Parental Involvement in Schools & Educational Programs
B.21 – Early Childhood Education
2.4 – Encouraging the Legislature to Fund a Grant Program for School Improvement Strategies
2.34 -Focus on Grade-Level Proficiency for K-3 Grade Students
2.35 – Addressing the Need for Remediation
2.48 – Increasing the Fund Balance Cap of School Funding
3.14 – Increased Support for Alaska Head Start Programs
3.18 – Promoting Awareness of the Importance of Early Childhood Brain Development
4.1 – Supports for Staff Development
4.16 – Supporting Effective, Culturally-Integrated Pedagogy o Alaska
5.2 – Curriculum Expansion Via Distance Delivery
5.10 – Supporting Universal Access to Education for Alaska’s 3 and 4 year old learners
5.19 – Supporting Authentic Assessments
5.23 – Supporting Innovation and Collaboration to Improve Student Achjievement for All Alaskan Students

Click on a Bill Number to see thefull text of the bill, legislative action taken, and other information.

HB 169 – Appropriation: Education; Pupil Transportation

AASB provided testimony in support of HB 169 in House Finance Committee

B.7 – Educational Programs and Funding as Top Priority
2.1 – Sustained, Reliable and Adequate Educational Funding for Alaska’s Students Through a Nonvolatile Funding Source
2.2 Urging Adequate, Equitable and Predictable Funding
2.23 – Funding for Schools By Establishing the Base Student Allocation in Advance

HB 173 – School Climate and Connectedness

AASB worked with the sponsor and provided input as well as testifying in support of HB 173 in House Education Committee

B.17 – Declaring Children the Top Priority of Alaska
B.22 – Educational Improvement
2.55 – Urging Dedicated Funding Outside the Foundation Funding Formula
3.2 – Promoting Student Success Through Social/Emotional Learning amd Positive Youth Development and Support
3.9 – Safe, Caring, and Connected Schools
3.10 – Support of State Funding for Student Health Services in Alaska
3.16 – Revise Parental Permission Requirements for Questionnaires and Surveys Administered in Public Schools
3.17 – Student Wellness
3.26 – Supporting the Adoption of Trauma-Informed and Culturally Relevant Practices to Improve Student Achievement and Reduce Behavioral Deficits for All Alaskan Students
5.11 – Encouraging Districts to Adopt Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs

HB 189 – Employment Tax for Education

AASB provided testimony in support of HB 189 in House Education Committee

B.7 – Educational Programs and Funding as Top Priority
2.1 – Sustained, Reliable and Adequate Educational Funding for Alaska’s Students Through a Nonvolatile Funding Source
2.2 – Urging Adequate, equitable and Predictable Funding

SB 6 – RIP for Public Employees/Teachers

AASB worked with the sponsor and provided input on SB 6

2.26 – Urging Revisions to the Step-Down Hold Harmless Clause for Reductions in ADM

SB 15 – Open Meetings Act; Penalty

AASB testified in opposition to SB 15 in Senate Community & Regional Affairs and Judicial Committees

B.1 – Local Governance
B.3 – Advisory Board Training
B.4 – School Board Member Training
1.6 – School Improvement and Student Achievement

SB 17 – Energy Efficiency and Policy; Public Buildings

B.9 – Meeting School Facility Needs for Alaska Students
2.20 – Energy Cost Relief
2.29 – Urging the State to Conduct and Fund Facility Condition Surveys
2.36 – Comprehensive Statewide Energy Plan

SB 19 – Extend Special Services Education Service Agency

2.5 – AASB Advocacy on Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act
2.7 – Funding for Intensive Needs Pre-School and Other Intensive Needs Students Enrolling Post-Count Date
3.3 – Fetal Alcohol and Drug Exposed Students
4.4 – Special Education and Related Services Training

SB 20 – Out-of-State Teacher Reciprocity

AASB testified in support of SB 20 in Senate Education and Finance Committees

4.5 – Addressing the Teacher, Specialist and Administrator Shortage

SB 32 – College Credit for High School Students

AASB provided input to Committee Chairs and testified in Senate Education Committee with limited support initially. Once amendments were enacted AASB testified in support of SB 32 in Senate Education and Finance Committees

1.6 – School Improvement and Student Achievement
2.4 – Encouraging the Legislature to Fund a Grant Program for School Improvement Strategies
5.13 – Relating to Postsecondary Classes for Secondary Students
5.21 – Supporting the Alaska Performance Scholarship Program
5.22 – Supporting CTE Credits for the Alaska Performance Scholarship

SB 34 – State-Tribal Education Compact Schools

B.1 – Local Governance
B.3 – Advisory Board Training
B.4 – School board Member Training
B.19 – Alaska Native Teacher Hire & Retention
4.16 – Supporting Effective, Culturally-Integrated Pedagogy in Alaska

SB 37 – Teacher & Public Employee Retirement Plans

4.5 – Addressing the Teacher, Specialist and Administrator Shortage
4.6 – Repeal the Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision
4.7 – Relating to Defined Benefit Retirement

SB 72 – Secondary School Civics Education

B.23 – Civic Responsibility
1.6 – School Improvement and Student Achievement
5.6 – Encouraging Civic Education in School Districts

SB 80 – Public Schools: Mental Health Education

AASB provided testimony in support of SB 80 in Senate Education Committee

B.17 – Declaring Children the Top Priority of Alaska
B.22 – Educational Improvement
2.55 – Urging Dedicated Funding Outside the Foundation Funding Formula
3.2 – Promoting Student Success Through Social/Emotional Learning and Positive Youth Development and Support
3.9 – Safe, Caring, and Connected Schools
3.10 – Support of State Funding for Student Health Services in Alaska
3.16 – Revise Parental Permission Requirements for Questionnaires and Surveys Administered in Public Schools
3.17 – Student Wellness
3.26 – Supporting the Adoption of Trauma-Informed and Culturally Relevant Practices to Improve Student Achievement and Reduce Behavioral Deficits for All Alaskan Students
5.11 – Encouraging Districts to Adopt Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs

SB 111 – Alaska Academic Improvement & Modernization Act

AASB provided input to the sponsor and Senate Education Chair as well as testimony in support of SB 111

B.10 – Funding for Early Education Programs in Alaska
B.13 – Increase in Family and Parental Involvement in Schools & Educational Programs
B.21 – Early Childhood Education
2.4 – Encouraging the Legislature to Fund a Grant Program for School Improvement Strategies
2.34 -Focus on Grade-Level Proficiency for K-3 Grade Students
2.35 – Addressing the Need for Remediation
2.48 – Increasing the Fund Balance Cap of School Funding
3.14 – Increased Support for Alaska Head Start Programs
3.18 – Promoting Awareness of the Importance of Early Childhood Brain Development
4.1 – Supports for Staff Development
4.16 – Supporting Effective =, Culturally-Integrated Pedagogy o Alaska
5.2 – Curriculum Expansion Via Distance Delivery
5.10 – Supporting Universal Access to Education for Alaska’s 3 and 4 year old learners
5.19 – Supporting Authentic Assessments
5.23 – Supporting Innovation and Collaboration to Improve Student Achjievement for All Alaskan Students

SB 119 – Oath of Office

B.1 Local Governance
B.23 – Civic Responsibility
1.6 – School Improvement and Student Achievement
5.6 – Encouraging Civic Education in School Districts

SJR 10 – Constitutional Amendment: In-Person Education

B.1 – Local governance
3.9 – Safe, Caring and Connected Schools
3.17 – Student Wellness
5.23 – Supporting Innovation and Collaboration to Improve Student Achievement for All Alaskan Students

SJR 13 – Improve Broadband Internet Access

AASB provided input to the sponsor and testified in support of SJR 13 in Senate Community & Regional Affairs and Labor & Commerce Committees.

2.11 – Instructional Technology
2.25 – Supporting Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Insturction
2.57 – Addressing Equity Issues with Internet Access and Connectivity
5.2 – Curriculum Expansion Via Distance Delivery
5.8 – Supporting Regional Career and Technology Centers
5.23 – Supporting Innovation and Collaboration to Improve Student Achievement for All Alaskan Students