MINUTES OF THE
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Sixty-seventh Session
May 19, 1993
The Assembly Committee on Education was called to order by Chairman Wendell P. Williams, at 3:35 p.m., on Wednesday, May 19, 1993, in Room 330 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mr. Wendell P. Williams, Chairman
Mr. Ken L. Haller, Vice Chairman
Mrs. Vonne Chowning
Mr. Tom Collins, Jr.
Mrs. Marcia de Braga
Mr. Roy Neighbors
Mr. Michael A. Schneider
Mrs. Gene W. Segerblom
Ms. Sandra Tiffany
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
Mr. William D. Gregory (excused)
Mr. James W. McGaughey (excused)
GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:
Assemblyman Jan Evans, District 30
Assemblyman James Gibbons, District 25
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Marla McDade, Research Assistant
OTHERS PRESENT:
Debbie Cahill, Nevada State Education Association
Mary Peterson, State Department of Education
Myrna Matrango, College of Education-UNR
Frank Meyers, College of Education-UNR
Mark Hurtubise, Sierra Nevada College
David Mussatti, Sierra Nevada College
Kim Hagerty, Sierra Nevada College
Henry Etchemendy, Nevada Association of School Boards
Greg Betts, Rural School Districts of Nevada
ASSEMBLY BILL 290 - Requires state board of education to establish pilot program for increased management of public schools by educational personnel.
Assemblyman Jan Evans, Assembly District 30, referred to the proposed amendment and stated all parties involved were in agreement (Exhibit C). Mrs. Evans pointed out in Section 1 the word "management" had been replaced with "site-based decision making" which was an appropriate term to accurately reflect what she had intended to accomplish. The deletion of lines 11-14 related to the waiver process, and the new language would assure both the local school board and state school board would be involved.
Ms. Tiffany questioned where the addition of "parental involvement" appeared. Mrs. Evans referred to Section 1, line 3 of the proposed amendment which stated, "...members, administrators and parents."
Mrs. Segerblom pointed out the submission of a school's application would state the purpose and goals of its pilot program.
MRS. CHOWNING MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS AB 290.
MR. HALLER SECONDED THE MOTION.
Chairman Williams clarified the bill had been referred concurrently and would go to Ways and Means upon passage.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
ASSEMBLY BILL 589 - Requires board of regents to establish program of student teaching and practicum.
Assemblyman Marcia de Braga, Assembly District 35, presented testimony in support of the bill. Mrs. de Braga explained the proposed bill would require the University System to contract with rural school districts to establish an outreach program so student teaching and practicum requirements could be fulfilled close to home by commuting students. The bill would alleviate a significant amount of travel and expense connected with obtaining a degree. Mrs. de Braga clarified some, if not all of the rural schools, had qualified personnel who would oversee the program in their areas without cost.
Mrs. de Braga referred to line 5, and suggested removing the words, "...a majority of the school districts..." and replacing them with, "...school districts and counties with populations of less than 400,000."
Mrs. de Braga alluded to SB 218 which would be heard following AB 589, and she indicated though similar, the two bills could not be combined. Mrs. de Braga maintained SB 218 provided the same idea as AB 589 and would allow the University System to enter into agreements with county school districts to provide an outreach program. However, in SB 218 there was proposed amended language which would allow, in addition to the University System, an accredited postsecondary educational institution. Mrs. de Braga stated the overall goal of both bills was to allow commuting students the opportunity to complete their student teachings in their hometown.
Mrs. de Braga mentioned during the subcommittee meeting, there had been concern regarding the inclusion of postsecondary schools since they were not accredited by the same agency. Mrs. de Braga indicated several of the parties involved expressed the desire for an interim study regarding the issue. Mrs. de Braga remarked she would provide members of the committee with a resolution which would request a task force to deal with the interim study.
Mr. Collins asked if student teaching could be done at the same high school a student had graduated from.
Frank Meyers, Dean of the College of Education, University of Nevada, Reno, was unaware if there was a state rule regarding student teaching; however, student teachers were encouraged to obtain field experience in other schools, but they could return to the school they graduated from if so desired.
Mr. Collins referred to Mrs. de Braga's proposed amendment regarding counties over 400,000 individuals and questioned if the bill would affect all counties except those with a population over 400,000. Mrs. de Braga responded the bill would allow the possibility, but would not require participation. Mr. Collins pointed out Moapa Valley and Mesquite would be exempted, and he suggested simplifying it by including all counties. Mrs. de Braga agreed.
Mr. Meyers expressed support for the bill, amended or as was, since the bill would help assist the college in what they were currently attempting to achieve.
Chairman Williams referred to the language in line 4 and questioned if the word "requires" might limit the possibility of establishing an agreement. Mr. Meyers replied there could be a problem if student teachers could not be obtained for specific areas; however, the districts were helpful in encouraging student teachers to return on a one-year recruitment basis.
Debbie Cahill, Nevada State Education Association, stated for the record NSEA was in support of the bill. Mrs. Cahill indicated the rural counties had a problem with obtaining qualified teachers and AB 589 would help alleviate the problem.
Mr. Haller suggested replacing the proposed amendment of "under 400,000" with "agreements with the school districts." Mrs. de Braga stated she had no problem with the suggested language, but thought Washoe County might need to be excluded.
Mr. Collins referred to line 5 and suggested deleting the words "...a majority of." In his opinion, such language would include everyone. Mrs. de Braga agreed with the suggestion.
SENATE BILL 218 -Authorizes school districts to enter into agreements with certain postsecondary education institutions to assign students of such institutions to certain training positions in public schools.
Assemblyman Jim Gibbons, Assembly District 25, commented there was a limitation of the scope of available schools allowed to enter into certain types of contracts which was the reason SB 218 was brought before the committee. If AB 589 was permitted to restrict such contracts and agreements to only the University of Nevada System, the problem would be exacerbated.
Mr. Gibbons called attention to a proposed amendment which might be suggested sometime during the meeting and he clarified there was a considerable difference between NRS 391 and NRS 396 which would not allow for the amendment into the bill. Mr. Gibbons maintained he supported the bill unamended until a study could be conducted to determine how many students were hired who were NCATE certified as compared to how many were not. Another concern Mr. Gibbons had with the proposed amendment was it provided a restriction to the University of Nevada System to an NCATE school which had legal foundations regarding civil rights.
A discussion ensued between Mr. Haller and Mr. Gibbons regarding Mr. Gibbons' testifying on a Senate bill. Mr. Neighbors stated for the record there should be not be a problem with any legislator testifying on a bill which affects his district, regardless of whether it was an Assembly or Senate bill.
Mary Peterson, Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction, presented testimony in support of the bill. Mrs. Peterson pointed out NRS 391.095, as currently written, had been interpreted to mean the University of Nevada System was the only institution of higher education with statutory authority to contract with Nevada school districts for the placement of school teachers. As a result of the interpretation, the Attorney General's office had issued a letter encouraging the statute be revised, resulting in SB 218, to broaden the spectrum of institutions which could place student teachers in public schools. Mrs. Peterson commented there might be a proposed resolution which the department would support; however, the department supported SB 218 as written.
Kim Hagerty, Attorney and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Sierra Nevada College, spoke in support of the bill. Mrs. Hagerty referred to Mr. Gibbons' testimony regarding the possible legal implications concerning civil rights. Mrs. Hagerty emphasized the bill should be voted upon unamended due to the possibility of a constitutional challenge.
Mrs. Hagerty referred to the Attorney General's opinion urging the amendment of NRS 391.095 (Exhibit D) and she stressed the importance of passing the bill as written.
Henry Etchemendy, Nevada Association of School Boards, presented testimony in support of the bill as written.
Dr. Greg Betts, Rural School Districts of Nevada, spoke in support of the bill. Dr. Betts emphasized student teachers were a desired commodity in most schools and encouraged the committee to support SB 218 as written.
Mark Hurtubise, President of Sierra Nevada College, explained the school had been in existence for the past 22 years, licensed to operate in Nevada, and accredited by the Northwest Association, which also accredited the University of Nevada System. Mr. Hurtubise pointed out Sierra Nevada College was the only four-year accredited private college in Nevada and could save taxpayers money by providing student teachers.
Mr. Hurtubise referred to $60,000 worth of grants from the Eisenhower Fund, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Energy for Sierra Nevada College in cooperation with the science department and teacher education department (Exhibit E). Mr. Hurtubise summarized if SB 218 was not passed, it would prohibit a private college which was currently licensed and accredited, from placing student teachers in the future in Nevada. Mr. Hurtubise concluded by urging the committee to pass the bill as written.
Mrs. Segerblom asked where Sierra Nevada College student teachers were teaching. Mr. Hurtubise replied many were being turned away due to the misinterpretation of the law; therefore, it was imperative to amend the current statute. Mrs. Segerblom questioned if the Sierra students were accredited the same as any UNR or UNLV student. Mr. Hurtubise responded the college was state licensed and regionally accredited by the same accrediting body as the Universities of Nevada; however, Sierra was not NCATE accredited which was a national/professional accreditation body. Mrs. Segerblom asked if the Sierra students majoring in teaching had any difficulty obtaining teaching certificates. Mr. Hurtubise replied, "Absolutely not."
Dr. David Mussatti, Assistant Professor of Education and Student Teaching Supervisor at Sierra Nevada College, emphasized the importance of student teachers and urged the passage of SB 218 as written.
Debbie Cahill, Nevada State Education Association, stressed the bill was extremely important and the issue of placing student teachers in the district needed to be clarified. Mrs. Cahill added NSEA supported NCATE accreditation which was a valid, relative standard used throughout the country; however, it was not mandated.
Frank Meyers, Dean of the College of Education, University of Nevada, Reno, presented testimony opposing SB 218. Mr. Meyers referred to a proposed amendment and emphasized it was extremely important (Exhibit F). Mr. Meyers indicated the amendment was aimed toward accountability to ensure minimal standards for Nevada teachers.
Mr. Meyers maintained NCATE accreditation cost approximately $10,000 to $12,000 for the visiting team, not $30,000. Mr. Meyers clarified NCATE was a nonprofit group sponsored by numerous educational groups. According to Mr. Meyers, 78 percent of the public favored national accreditation standards for schools of education; 82 percent were in favor of requiring teachers to graduate from nationally accredited professional schools of education.
Mr. Meyers concluded the proposed amendment did not endanger contractual obligations since each school would have five years in which to apply for accreditation.
Myrna Matrango, Professor at College of Education, University of Nevada, Reno, referred to the proposed amendment (Exhibit F), and she maintained the issue was regional versus professional accreditation as related to the current statutory language which inhibited institutions preparing teachers from placing student teachers in Nevada schools. Mrs. Matrango commented the intent of the university was to encourage the committee to consider standards of accountability for all Nevada schools.
Mrs. Matrango emphasized the method in which teachers were prepared to teach was extremely important and professional accreditation was one way to assure they were prepared.
Mrs. Matrango referred to a proposed resolution redefining accreditation as "professionally accredited" (Exhibit G). Mrs. Matrango remarked the resolution would implement an interim study including UNLV, UNR, and Sierra Nevada College regarding accreditation.
Mr. Haller justified the proposed amendment would remove a portion of NRS 394.006 which stated, "...a postsecondary educational institution accredited if it has met the standards required by an accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education or by the Council of Postsecondary Accreditation." Mrs. Matrango stressed the statement was all encompassing and should be interpreted to mean, "If you're accredited by any accrediting body it was fine." Mrs. Matrango explained there were two different kinds of accreditation: regional, which viewed the entire institution; and professional, which looked at the occupation of teacher training such as NCATE, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Mr. Haller justified NRS 394.006 did not exclude NCATE; however, it did allow any group recognized by the United States Department of Education. Mrs. Matrango maintained the amendment would require institutions which trained teachers to be professionally or NCATE accredited in addition to whatever else they might want.
In his opinion, Mr. Haller stated he would trust the United Stated Department of Education to recognize an accreditation organization. Mrs. Matrango emphasized there was only one accrediting organization for teacher education; the other accrediting organizations dealt with other professions including the AMA, the Bar Association, the dog groomers of the world, barbers, hair stylists, etc.
Mr. Meyers indicated when a regional accrediting agency investigated a school, time was spent examining core courses, library books, operating money, etc., but not the individual college. On the other hand, NCATE conducted an extremely thorough investigation including checking former and present students, individuals of the community, course requirements, and faculty qualifications.
Mr. Haller pointed out Nevada had implemented the Professional Standards Commission which reported to the state board and, in his opinion, mandating NCATE would be "going backwards" regarding teacher certification.
Mrs. Segerblom asked how many years it took for a teacher to obtain his teaching degree. Mr. Meyers replied UNR required five years and UNLV and Sierra Nevada College required four years.
Chairman Williams referred to Section 2 of the proposed amendment regarding "5 years" and questioned if the parties in opposition to the amendment would agree to "10 years." Mr. Etchemendy emphasized his association supported SB 218 as written. Mr. Hurtubise encouraged the committee to pass the bill as written; however, he stated Sierra Nevada College was willing to cooperate with the University System to study the validity of NCATE accreditation. Mr. Hurtubise stressed if the amendment was passed, Nevada would be required to accept only student teachers from institutions which were NCATE accredited, and it would exclude a large portion of universities throughout the United States.
Chairman Williams asked for input in reference to adding a sunset clause to the bill. Mr. Hurtubise responded Sierra Nevada College would support the resolution for a study. Chairman Williams indicated due to the late date, the chances of an interim study would be extremely unlikely during the current session.
Mr. Haller suggested the two parties involved work on a solution and disregard the interim study proposal due to the time frame.
Chairman Williams agreed with Mr. Haller and pointed out the issue which needed to be addressed as soon as possible was the lack of student teachers.
Mr. Collins asked if there was a shortage of student teachers throughout the state of Nevada. Mr. Hurtubise replied after a recent study, it was determined the University System could not supply enough teachers within Nevada in proportion to the population growth. Mr. Hurtubise emphasized Sierra Nevada College was not opposed to NCATE accreditation; however, they were opposed to prohibiting student teachers from out of state and Nevada who were not NCATE accredited. Mr. Collins asked how many student teachers were hired out of state. Mr. Meyers responded there was a large number from out of state, but he was unable to provide an exact amount.
Mr. Collins asked for a comparison of the professional versus regional accreditation. Mr. Hurtubise explained the manner in which the bill was drafted referred specifically to postsecondary, COPA, as well as the Department of Education. Mr. Hurtubise referred to the "Accreditation Handbook" from the Northwest Association confirming it was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Postsecondary Education (Exhibit H).
Chairman Williams maintained, in his opinion, there was an urgency for teachers and student teachers and a long-term study would not fill such a need. Mr. Hurtubise clarified SB 218 addressed the urgent need for student teachers who might eventually become permanently employed in Nevada as full-time teachers. According to Mr. Hurtubise, the necessity of NCATE accreditation could be determined privately between the universities and private school systems.
Chairman Williams closed the hearing on SB 218.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:02 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Marilyn Cole, Committee Secretary
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Assembly Committee on Education
Date: May 19, 1993
Page: 1