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Senators hear bill to raise Alaska high‑school credits and add voluntary proficiency ‘seal’; sponsor agrees to revisions
Summary
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman introduced SB 209 to align graduation credit minimums with content standards and to create voluntary grade‑8/10/12 proficiency confirmation tools and an optional diploma 'seal'; the committee held the bill for further analysis and public testimony.
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, the sponsor of Senate Bill 209, told the Senate Education Committee on March 4 that the bill would require the Department of Education and Early Development to adopt statewide performance standards and proficiency confirmation tools and would raise minimum graduation credit requirements to better align diplomas with those standards.
Under the bill’s sectional analysis, staff told the committee the measure would amend AS 14.03.075 and AS 14.03.035 to define social studies (including civics and Alaska history), require statewide performance standards and proficiency confirmation tools for grades 8, 10 and 12 in core subjects, and set minimum graduation credits: at least 21 credits for a six‑period year or 24 credits for a seven‑period year. Districts would be required to administer confirmation tools, and a district must place a seal of certified proficiency on a student’s diploma if the student meets graduation requirements and demonstrates proficiency on the grade‑12 confirmation tools. New requirements would apply to students graduating on or after Jan. 1, 2030.
Bjorkman said the confirmation tools could use existing spring testing windows (the AK STAR administration) or portfolio reviews and emphasized the change is optional: "This bill does not take away any student's ability to get a diploma. It simply offers a credential, a seal of certified proficiency when students show that they are proficient," he told the committee.
Committee members sought specifics on the form and timing of the tests, how results would be delivered to students, how cut scores would be set and how students with disabilities would be accommodated. Sponsor and deans said the tools could be computer‑based, proctored class assessments similar in timing to AK STAR, or students could submit portfolios; the sponsor agreed to provide passage‑rate data and cut‑score comparisons with other states.
Members also raised fiscal and operational concerns: higher minimum credits could require more staff or longer school days in some districts; portfolios could increase teacher and testing‑coordinator workload; and the fiscal note will need close review. The chair said those and transfer‑student issues should be addressed before advancing the bill.
Chair Tobin held SB 209 for a future hearing, saying the sponsor should work with committee staff and submit requested data and that the committee would solicit public testimony at the next hearing.
