MINUTES OF THE
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Sixty-seventh Session
June 9, 1993
The Assembly Committee on Education was called to order by Chairman Wendell P. Williams, at 3:40 p.m., on Wednesday, June 9, 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
Mrs. Vonne Chowning
Mr. Tom Collins, Jr.
Mrs. Marcia de Braga
Mr. William D. Gregory
Mr. James W. McGaughey
Mr. Roy Neighbors
Mr. Michael A. Schneider
Mrs. Gene W. Segerblom
Ms. Sandra Tiffany
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
Mr. Ken L. Haller(excused)
GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:
Assemblyman Richard Perkins, District 23
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Marla McDade, Research Assistant
OTHERS PRESENT:
Bob Dickens, University of Nevada, Reno
David Hollenbeck, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Randy Oakes, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
Douglas Byington, Nevada Association of School Administrators
Debbie Cahill, Nevada State Education Association
SENATE BILL 16 -Extends provisions allowing interlocal agreements between police department of University of Nevada System and other law enforcement agencies to all counties.
Chairman Williams explained a similar bill had been passed in the 1991 legislative session, specifying UNR only, and SB 16 addressed the entire University of Nevada System.
Bob Dickens, Director, Governmental Relations for the University of Nevada, Reno, presented testimony in support of the bill. Mr. Dickens remarked the interlocal agreements which had resulted from the passage of the 1991 bill had worked out extremely well, and he urged the committee to support SB 16.
David Hollenbeck, Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, pointed out currently UNLV was the only university in the state which could not enter into an interlocal agreement with the surrounding jurisdiction. The legislation was permissive and no terms would be dictated between Metro and UNLV. Mr. Hollenbeck concluded the protection of officers from both entities could occur if the bill was passed.
Captain Randy Oakes, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Oakes clarified a portion of accreditation required Metro to have interlocal agreements with every law enforcement agency who bordered Metro's jurisdiction. However, current statute prohibited such an interlocal agreement with the university. Mr. Oakes commented the language of the bill was permissive and he urged the committee to support SB 16.
ASSEMBLYMAN DE BRAGA MOVED TO DO PASS SB 16.
ASSEMBLYMAN TIFFANY SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. (ASSEMBLYMEN MCGAUGHEY AND CHOWNING WERE ABSENT AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE.)
ASSEMBLY BILL 578 - Requires completion of course in adult roles and responsibilities for graduation from high school.
Assemblyman Richard Perkins, Assembly District 23, explained the bill was mainly the result of his observations as a police officer for the city of Henderson. According to Mr. Perkins, while investigating child abuse and gang related crimes, a pattern of similarities arose; the lack of ability by the parents in such cases to deal effectively with their children. Mr. Perkins emphasized many destructive social problems were linked to child abuse; teenage pregnancy, teen suicide, drug abuse, and the continuing cycle of child abuse. Mr. Perkins recited what he considered an extremely important thought, "The most important job that an overwhelming majority of adults will ever have is to raise a child, and nobody ever truly teaches us how."
Mr. Perkins maintained many families required two incomes which left less "one-on-one" time available between parents and children. The judicial system did force abusive parents to attend classes in parenting; however, in his opinion, Mr. Perkins felt after the abuse had taken place, it was too late since the child was then emotionally or physically scarred.
Mr. Perkins pointed out child abusers normally reacted to two things: causation factors and triggering mechanisms. Causation factors were the stress elements in the home including alcohol, financial stress, and children's needs. The triggering mechanism was the one act by the child which caused the parent to lose control. Mr. Perkins maintained parents could be taught to correct such problems.
According to Mr. Perkins, 80 percent of current school curriculum was college preparatory; however, only 20 percent of the students continued their education in college. Students were being taught history, physical education, foreign languages, etc., but were not learning how to become responsible adults.
Mr. Perkins referred to a specialist in parenting, Dr. Bill Wagonseller, Director from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Mr. Perkins indicated Dr. Wagonseller was unable to attend the hearing; however, material had been distributed to the committee relating to the bill (Exhibit C).
Mr. Perkins commented there were individuals concerned if AB 578 was passed, the parenting concept might become mandated as a separate high school class. Mr. Perkins suggested giving the districts the flexibility to insert the curriculum anywhere between the grades of six and twelve, along with integrating the classes in other subjects such as health, social studies, etc. According to Mr. Perkins, his proposed amendment would address the suggestions previously mentioned (Exhibit D).
Mr. Perkins concluded the most important job adults would ever have was to raise a child; yet no one ever taught them how.
Mr. Collins asked if it was the intent of the bill to make the parenting classes a requirement for graduation rather than become part of the elective courses. Mr. Perkins replied it would be part of the required classes which were already in place.
Ms. Tiffany questioned if the class would be one semester or a full school year. Mr. Perkins responded there were no limitations and the classes could be completed over a period of years. The school districts would have the flexibility to integrate the program at their leisure. Ms. Tiffany asked if there was a curriculum model which had already been developed. Mr. Perkins indicated Utah had implemented an "Adult Roles and Responsibility" class which contained several portions of AB 578.
Ms. Tiffany was concerned the curriculum was becoming overloaded with social teaching such as sexual abuse, teen suicide, etc. Mr. Perkins suggested changing portions of the curriculum; however, no one wanted to make the decision of what components of the curriculum were not of the highest priority. In her opinion, Ms. Tiffany maintained the skill could be taught in school but if it was not reinforced at home, how lasting would it be. Mr. Perkins stated he could not answer the question, yet he emphasized if parenting was not taught at home, it should be taught somewhere.
Debbie Cahill, Nevada State Education Association, presented testimony on behalf of Rick Millsap, President of NSEA. Mrs. Cahill read verbatim from Mr. Millsap's prepared testimony (Exhibit E). Mrs. Cahill pointed out the proposed amendment would give school districts the flexibility to integrate the course of study in existing curriculum. However, Mrs. Cahill emphasized there must be adequate training for teachers and other personnel, along with the program being incorporated into the curriculum.
Mrs. Cahill pointed out the bill would probably "flush out" those courses of study and add to the curriculum, and the necessary training should be at a minimum. Counselors could be involved in the development of, or the adaptation of the course of study at the school level. Mrs. Cahill concluded by urging the committee to support the bill.
Doug Byington, Nevada Association of School Administrators, spoke in support of SB 578. Mr. Byington clarified a minimum of 22 credits was required for high school graduation. Washoe County had currently decided to increase the number of honors classes required for an honors diploma which would eliminate one less elective class for honors students. Therefore, Mr. Byington supported Mr. Perkins' proposed amendment which would not require another credit for the parenting class.
Mr. Byington addressed the matter of measuring the effectiveness of parenting classes. In his opinion, he felt if the issue was ingrained in society, the chance of it working was favorable.
Henry Etchemendy, Nevada Association of School Boards, presented testimony in support of the bill and emphasized his support of the proposed amendment. In his opinion, Mr. Etchemendy indicated there might be some fiscal impact from the bill and he suggested the committee checking into what it would cost.
Janet Sayre, Nevada Home Economics Association, read verbatim from prepared testimony in support of the bill (Exhibit F). Mrs. Sayre alluded to the question regarding "modeled curriculum" and pointed out the school districts in Washoe and Clark Counties had family life education; however, it was not published.
Mrs. Sayre maintained home economics teachers had the education and experience to teach course work which related to the functioning of families and the interaction of individuals. Mrs. Sayre concluded by urging the committee to support AB 578.
Janine Hansen, Nevada Eagle Forum, stated she had a concern with the graduation requirement; however, since the proposed amendment deleted the language, her problem had been addressed. Mrs. Hansen suggested encouraging parents to participate in parenting classes by making such classes available through public service announcements, etc. According to Mrs. Hansen, if students were not prepared academically, they would have a harder time earning a living which could drastically impact their family life.
ASSEMBLYMAN COLLINS MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS AB 578.
ASSEMBLYMAN TIFFANY SECONDED THE MOTION.
Mrs. de Braga referred to the amended portion of Section 3, and she was concerned in certain schools such classes were only available after school hours. In her opinion, the purpose would not be achieved.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
ASSEMBLY BILL 427 - Prohibits pupils from carrying or possessing electronic devices used for paging or communication while on school grounds.
Ms. Tiffany referred to the proposed amendment from the subcommittee hearing (Exhibit G). The new language allowed for an "escape clause" at the option of the superintendent or his designee.
Mrs. Chowning clarified she was reluctant to any amendment to the bill and she was specifically concerned with the words "His designee." Mrs. Chowning suggested replacing the words with "The school board."
Mrs. de Braga maintained she would prefer to have the bill passed with the original language; however, she did agree with removing "His designee."
Mr. Neighbors stated he supported the proposed amendment without any changes.
Mr. Collins justified not using the school board since the period of approval might be too lengthy.
ASSEMBLYMAN CHOWNING MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS AB 427
WITH THE WORDS "HIS DESIGNEE" BEING REPLACED WITH "THE
COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD."
ASSEMBLYMAN DE BRAGA SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION PASSED WITH ASSEMBLYMEN NEIGHBORS, COLLINS,
GREGORY, AND TIFFANY VOTING NO.
A discussion ensued regarding the majority of the vote and after reviewing the standing rules of the committee, it was decided six members would be required to vote in favor of the bill before it could pass. Chairman Williams pointed out Mr. Haller would most likely not be returning for the session; however, he would wait for Mr. Schneider's vote before taking official action on the bill.
Chairman Williams asked the committee for a motion to waive rule 92.
ASSEMBLYMAN TIFFANY MOVED TO WAIVE RULE 92.
ASSEMBLYMAN GREGORY SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:29 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Marilyn Cole, Committee Secretary
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Assembly Committee on Education
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Assembly Committee on Education
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