Session Scorecard: Impact of AASB Priorities on Legislation

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
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 72 in Senate Education and Finance Committees
- 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
Jump to a Bill
HB 18 – Teachers; National Board Certification
HB 19 – Limited Teachers Certificates; Languages
HB 25 – Public Schools; Social/Emotional Learning
HB 43 – Extend Special Education Service Agency
HB 47 – Council for Alaska Native Languages
HB 48 – Alaska Performance Scholarship Eligibility
HB 53 – Military Children School Residential Waiver
HB 60 – Public Schools; Mental Health Education
HB 113 – Health Insurance; All-Payer Claims Database
HB 134 – Alaska Marine Highway System Operations and Planning Board
HB 164 – Early Education Programs; Reading, Virtual Education
HB 169 – Appropriation: Education; Pupil Transportation
HB 173 – School Climate and Connectedness
HB 189 – Employment Tax for Education
SB 6 – RIP for Public Employees/Teachers
SB 15 – Open Meetings Act; Penalty
SB 17 – Energy Efficiency and Policy; Public Buildings
SB 19 – Extend Special Services Education Service Agency
SB 20 – Out-of-State Teacher Reciprocity
SB 32 – College Credit for High School Students
SB 34 – State-Tribal Education Compact Schools
SB 37 – Teacher & Public Employee Retirement Plans
SB 72 – Secondary School Civics Education
SB 80 – Public Schools: Mental Health Education
SB 111 – Alaska Academic Improvement & Modernization Act