House Education considers delaying standards

  • By MIKE COPPOCK
  • Wednesday, March 19, 2014 11:27pm
  • News

JUNEAU — The House Education Committee began hearing testimony on a resolution Wednesday to delay implementing new English language and mathematics standards for Alaska.

House Resolution 9, sponsored by Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, called for the delay because it may force districts to overhaul their existing curriculum.

“We visited different schools and their frustration was pretty high,” Wilson said. “They said too much was happening at once.”

Wilson said both the Legislature and local school districts need a cost analysis on implementing the new standards. She noted a delay would help school districts with the transition to the new standards. Wilson said requiring the districts to make the transition within a year was not fair.

The Alaska State Board of Education approved the new English language arts and mathematic standards this year. They are to go into effect 2015.

“Without the funding, this is another unfunded mandate we’re asking our districts to do,” said Chairwoman Lynn Gattis, R-Wasilla.

Rep. Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell, felt a delay would be good for teachers involved.

“They need a reasonable time for in-service to do a good job,” said the Wrangell representative.

However, superintendents from Kodiak and North Slope school districts disagreed.

“If we move back now, it will be demoralizing to our teachers who have spent hours and days already to get ready,” said Peggy Cowan, superintendent for the North Slope School District.

Cowan said she is concerned about the costs to her district for implementing the standards, but her staff are already prepping for the new standards.

Stewart McDonald, superintendent for the Kodiak Island School District, did not wish to go backward. He said the committee should be patient once the new standards are implemented for there will be a natural dip in grades during the transition period.

“I think attaching performance too close to funding would be a mistake,” McDonald said.

Wilson said she had witnessed educators practicing different teaching styles at some districts for the new standards.

“We are teaching for the test,” Wilson said. “On everything we do, we train for a test.”

Wilson said under the news standards curriculums are to change every six years.

Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, suggested the cost analysis be extended out to cover 10 years as well as an analysis of the entire impact the new standards brings into play.

I would like to know how much time will be taken for testing in classroom,” Reinbold said.

The resolution remains in committee.

More in News

The front of the Kenai Police Department as seen on Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Update: Middle schooler reported missing found after 24-hour search

The student was seen leaving Kenai Middle School at around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The Oceania Riviera stands out against a bluebird sky at the Homer Harbor on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Over 1200 passengers from aboard the boat explored Homer throughout the beautiful day. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer tourism season kicks off with arrival of cruise ships

The first cruise ship of the season arrived April 28 with 930 passengers.

tease
‘Tomorrow — remember you are still a learner’

Kachemak Bay Campus graduated 49 students during its 55th annual commencement hosted on May 7.

Mt. Redoubt rises above Cook Inlet and the Anchor River drainage as fireweed is in bloom, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road on Friday, July 22, 2022, near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Native plants provide lifeline for local songbirds

Shorebird Festival talk highlights importance of native plants.

Sterling Elementary School students collect trash from the banks of the Kenai River near Bing’s Landing in Sterling, Alaska, during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Cleaning up the mess that’s left behind

Students from six local schools combed for litter during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai land sales proposal delayed amid council concerns

The ordinance would amend city code to add new language allowing officers and employees to participate in property sales.

Greg Springer delivers a presentation on sockeye fishing during A Day at the River at Centennial Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gearing up for summer fishing

Trout Unlimited and the Kenai Watershed Forum host “A Day at the River.”

Tyson Cox speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough awards Homer schools improvements contracts

Funding for improvements to the Homer High School entrance comes out of the 2022 bond package.

Most Read