(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - The development of a strategic statewide education plan focused on reading, writing and arithmetic and a better public understanding of education funding with a reduction in current state spending levels are just some of the draft recommendations just released by the Alaska House of Representatives’ Task Force on Sustainable Education.

The draft recommendations are a culmination of many public meetings, dozens of hours of testimony and discussion, and countless hours of study and reflection. The draft recommendations call for the Legislature and state to further examine public K-12 education funding, while also focusing on mission deliverables, through a strategic statewide education plan and a better public dialogue on finances.

The Task Force was made up of Co-Chairs Rep. Wilson and Rep. Gattis, Rep. Charisse Millett and five public members -- Andy Baker, Jerry Covey, Andrew Halcro, Brad Keithley and David Nees. HR 8, its enabling legislation, called for the task force to examine the efficiency and effectiveness of public education delivery in the state, including standards, outcomes and funding of public education.

The findings discussed by the task force included recognition that there are many challenges when teacher-turnover and school curriculums often change. Many parents spoke of these issues and a lack of incentivizing school districts to recognize vocational and technical education as a true alternative to college preparation and success.

Co-chairs, Representative Lynn Gattis, R-Wasilla, and Representative Tammie Wilson, R-Fairbanks, said in a jointly prepared statement, “Achieving a sustainable future may include, but is not necessarily limited to, establishing regional residential education centers to enhance secondary education, invest in technology that is compatible with local infrastructure, and expand public choice in education opportunities."

The co-chairs said, “A strategic state education plan should be developed that would include the implementation of new state standards, new assessments, teacher development and the potential utilization of a state curriculum in reading, writing and arithmetic."

The task force found that Alaska is facing a challenging fiscal future, which will require new ways of thinking in order to ensure the long-tern financial sustainability of education.

 “We face a changing financial future and an in-depth analysis and continued policy calls on what are necessary to stimulate achievement will be required. The Task Force will spend the next year taking a closer look at these issues and a deeper review of the cost to giving every student an opportunity to succeed in the career of their choice," said co-chairs Gattis and Wilson. 

In the Sustainable Education Task Force Initial Report dated January 1, 2014, to the Governor, Commissioner of Education and the Alaska Legislature, it is stated that in order to provide an overall sustainable future for Alaska, current state spending levels must be reduced with a portiion of the current revenue stream to be set aside to provide for future generations. With education as one of the core consititutional missions of state government, funding for education must also be given a priority. Alaskans should be made aware that current education levels of spending is not sustainable. It is a recommendation of the task force that a cost analysis of the new Alaska Standards, curriculum, assessments, teacher development and the financial impact that these will hoave on local districts be performed before implementation.

Regarding the reduction in the current education levels of spending, the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce president Andrew Halcro, a former Republican legislator who is a citizen member of the panel, slammed the task force's proposal.   Halcro said that it would “make everything we’re doing here irrelevant” and was the sole panel member to vote against education cuts.

“Education funding cuts are the latest Republican attack on Alaska public schools.  First the Republicans froze classroom funding, then they pushed an unconstitutional voucher program, and now they want to cut funding,” said Mike Wenstrup, Chair of the Alaska Democratic Party.  “Economic growth depends on a well-educated workforce, yet Republicans are trying to gut our public education system.”

The initial report stated, within education, spending should be focused first on providing the operating funds necessary to provide education opportunities for all students. In addition, a review and revision of Capital expenditures is needed.

Quoting to a news release from the Alaska Democrats, "Compared to other states, Alaska’s public education system fares poorly.  According to Education Week, Alaska has the lowest percentage of 18-24 year olds who are enrolled in post-secondary education.  Alaska’s high school graduation rate of 69% is the 12th lowest.  NEA-Alaska has said that frozen classroom education funding already is having a negative impact on education."

According to the task force's initial report, achieving a sustainable future for education will require new ways of thinking:

• Invest in technology that is compatible with local infrastructure;
• Establish regional residential education centers to enhance secondary education;
• Expand public choice in education opportunities to include: boarding, charter, virtual, homeschool and neighborhood schools;
• Evaluate the current level of facility cost sharing between the state and localities. Consistent with local control, increased local contribution may not only be necessary but a better way to ensure that facilities are built and maintained efficiently;
• Standardize school facilities, with the goal of reducing overall construction and maintenance costs using “recognized best practices”;
• Analyze the potential benefit of school district consolidation and shared services between school districts and other entities; and
• Review and eliminate unnecessary regulations.

The task force was created by House Resolution 8 and is set to expire in 2015. More hearings are expected during the 2014 legislative session through the Finance Sub-Committee of Education & Early Development and the Education Committee.

On the Web:

House Resolution 8
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=HR

Sources of News: 

Alaska House Majority Caucus
www.akleg.org

Alaska Democrats
www.alaskademocrats.org

 

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