MINUTES OF THE

      ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

 

      Sixty-seventh Session

      May 17, 1993

 

 

 

The Assembly Committee on Education was called to order by Chairman Wendell P. Williams, at 3:37 p.m., on Monday, May 17, 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. William D. Gregory

      Mr. James W. McGaughey

      Mr. Roy Neighbors

      Mr. Michael A. Schneider

      Mrs. Gene W. Segerblom

     

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

 

      Ms. Sandra Tiffany            (excused)

 

GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:

 

      None.

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

      Marla McDade, Research Assistant

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

 

      Roger Simon, Suicide Prevention & Crisis Call Center

      Henry Etchemendy, Nevada Association of School Boards

      Janine Hansen, Nevada Eagle Forum

      Eugene Paslov, State Department of Education

      Christine Leyrer

      Greg Betts, Rural School Districts of Nevada

      Lucille Lusk, Nevada Coalition for Concerned Citizens

 

SENATE BILL 67  -Changes grades during which examinations for achievement and proficiency must be given to pupils.

 

Dr. Eugene Paslov, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, read verbatim from prepared testimony in support of the bill (Exhibit C).  Dr. Paslov explained current law required achievement/proficiency examinations be administered before the completion of grades 3, 6, 9, and 12.  The proposed bill would change the testing grades to 4, 8, and 11. 

 

Dr. Paslov pointed out fourth grade marked the end of the primary level and the beginning of the elementary level of education.  Testing at the end of grade eight would provide high schools information about student performance for placement in remedial programs.

 

Dr. Paslov concluded there would be a cost savings to local school districts since the testing would be eliminated in one grade.

 

Henry Etchemendy, Executive Director, Nevada Association of School Boards, spoke in support of SB 67.  Mr. Etchemendy maintained if and when the class size reduction program was fully implemented, the testing at grade four would become more important than administering it in grade three.

 

Dr. Paslov indicated all tests would be provided by CTBS which was the vendor currently providing the tests for grades 3, 6, and 9.  Technical conversions might need to be made for approximately one year; however, no baseline information would be lost.

 

Mr. Haller asked what CTBS stood for.  Dr. Paslov replied, "California Test of Basic Skills."

 

Chairman Williams closed the hearing on SB 67.

 

ASSEMBLY BILL 584 -     Requires state board of education to establish program of instruction in prevention of teenage suicide.

 

Assemblyman Vonne Chowning, Assembly District 28, presented testimony in support of the bill.  Mrs. Chowning alluded to the rising statistics of teenage suicide, pointing out Nevada led the nation in completed, successful suicides.  Mrs. Chowning explained the proposed bill would provide an awareness to students regarding coping with the problems they faced.

 

Mrs. Chowning referred to a handout titled, "Definition of At Risk" (Exhibit D).  At-risk students were unlikely to graduate from high school and were likely to leave school without the life skills, attitudes, and knowledge needed to achieve economic self-sufficiency and contribute as a productive member of society.

 

Mrs. Chowning pointed out many of the characteristics and behaviors of at-risk students were the same characteristics and behaviors which led to suicide.  Mrs. Chowning emphasized Nevada's teen suicide rate was the second leading cause of death among Nevada youth 15-19 years old. 

 

According to Mrs. Chowning, one way to prevent attempted suicide was through targeted programs which provided comprehensive educational, employment, health, and social services for students remaining in school.

 

Mrs. Chowning justified one of the reasons teens attempted suicide was because they were trying to escape the pain associated with living.  Females attempted suicide twice as often as males; however, males completed suicide twice as often as females.  Since 1955, the statistics had quadrupled.  Mrs. Chowning indicated teenagers were emotionally immature and when contemplating suicide, did not realize they were using a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

 

Mrs. Chowning called attention to particular clues related to adolescent suicide:  changes in eating or sleeping habits; acting out behavior or withdrawing; accident-proneness; no sense of future; no sense of humor; talking about death or suicide; recent loss of a loved one; substance abuse; running away from home; and depression.  According to Mrs. Chowning, asking a person if he was thinking about suicide would not put the idea in his mind.

 

Mrs. Chowning stated California had spent $900,000 on a suicide prevention program.  Part of the expense included a 120 page curriculum with lesson plans which Nevada might use should the bill pass.  Mrs. Chowning concluded after five hours of classroom instruction, 420 students had been sampled; 92 reported as a result of the program they had been able to prevent 179 suicides or attempts.

 

Christine Leyrer, student at Western Nevada Community College and legislative intern for Assemblyman Vonne Chowning, read verbatim from prepared testimony in support of the bill (Exhibit E).  Ms. Leyrer related to the committee three incidents of attempted suicide, two of which were successful.  Ms. Leyrer indicated statistics disclosed for every successful suicide there were at least six survivors left behind suffering the pain from the loss of a loved one.

 

Ms. Leyrer emphasized AB 584 would provide education not only for the student contemplating suicide, but also for those who were left behind.  The bill would educate students to become aware of warning signs of potential suicide victims, and it could encourage individuals to seek help before it was too late.

 

Mrs. Chowning alluded to a slight problem concerning the language of the bill; however, she submitted a proposed amendment to correct the problem (Exhibit F).  Mrs. Chowning suggested removing the word "teenage" from the language since the problem affected individuals of all different ages.  Mrs. Chowning commented the determination of how to implement the program would be decided by the Department of Education.

 

Dr. Paslov read verbatim from prepared testimony in support of AB 584 (Exhibit G).  Dr. Paslov justified Japan had the highest suicide rate among teenagers; however, the United States overtook Japan four or five years ago.  Dr. Paslov shared a personal story of an attempted suicide by his oldest son when he was 18 years old.  In his opinion, potential suicide victims had no boundaries relating to what type of individual might attempt suicide.

 

Dr. Paslov pointed out the Nevada secondary course of study already included two objectives in the required health course which were related to suicide prevention education.  The proposed bill would require the State Board of Education to further revise its course of study, including counselors being instructed on building self-esteem in the lower grade levels. 

Dr. Paslov concluded by urging the committee to pass AB 584.

 

Mr. Haller questioned if the program could feasibly be established by July 1.  Dr. Paslov responded all efforts would be geared toward the July 1 date; however, if the date was not met, it would be implemented as soon as possible.

 

Chairman Williams asked which grades would be targeted for implementing the program.  Dr. Paslov replied the upper elementary grades, particularly third and fourth grade, at least to identify the warning signs of potential suicide.  The middle school grades were extremely important due to students emotions and self-esteem, and they needed to be aware of the other options available to obtain help.

 

Roger Simon, Executive Director, Suicide Prevention and Crisis Call Center, read verbatim from prepared testimony (Exhibit H).  Mr. Simon explained the Youth Outreach Suicide Prevention Program had operated within the Washoe County Schools serving thousands of students, educators, parents, and support staff.

 

Mr. Simon emphasized Nevada was ranked number one in the nation for suicide rates, running approximately twice the national average.  Mr. Simon maintained in 1990 the national average was 12.7 suicides per 100,000 individuals; in Nevada the rate was 25.1 per 100,000 individuals.

 

In a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control entitled, "Nevada Suicide Study," Dr. Meehan determined teenagers in Nevada had a suicide rate two to four times the national average.  The suicide rate for 15-19 year old males was approximately seven times the national average.  Mr. Simon remarked teenagers were identifying themselves as victims of extreme stress, feeling pressures from within the home, school, peers, and the employment sector.

 

Mr. Simon indicated in each classroom presentation the question was asked, "How many of you know someone who has died from suicide?"  Currently, the average in Nevada classrooms was 40 percent of the students.  Mr. Simon emphasized talking about suicide did not make it happen; it educated individuals about prevention.

 

Mr. Simon explained the Youth Outreach Suicide Prevention Program was an education/early intervention/prevention program which went into the Washoe County Public Schools to educate students and staff about the warning signs of suicide and depression.  Students were given a wallet sized, brightly colored card with the names and phone numbers of local resources, and they learned which resources were available at all times to help them or someone they were concerned about.

 

Mr. Simon reiterated suicide was a highly complex act with no one factor identified as being the determining factor which  made a person choose to end his life.  Mr. Simon concluded by urging the committee to pass AB 584.

 

Mr. Haller was concerned with the possibility of a misuse of statistics relating to the population of the state.  Mr. Simon responded the statistics were based per 100,000 individuals; therefore, they were constant across the board. 

 

Chairman Williams suggested including parents in the education process to make it more effective.  Mr. Simon clarified the Crisis Call Center frequently had meetings where parents were invited, and he agreed the education process should include family involvement.

 

Mr. Neighbors asked if there were any statistics on what was the main prevailing cause of suicide.  Mr. Simon responded anxiety was a major factor among youth along with low self-esteem and isolation.  Mr. Simon pointed out most of the victims of child sexual assault ran a much higher risk of suicide, approximately a 400 percent increased risk.  Among adults, alcohol was found in the bloodstream of 60 percent of the adult suicides.  Mr. Simon emphasized alcohol and drug involvement did impact an individual's impulsiveness, and many times suicide was an impulsive act.  Mr. Simon stated the impact of having a program within the schools was it remained with individuals throughout their entire life.

 

Carolyne Edwards, Clark County School District, spoke in support of the bill and explained the bill would codify what was already being done.  Ms. Edwards clarified it was the responsibility of the education community to "provide information" to the students; however, she emphasized the schools were not in the suicide prevention business.  According to Ms. Edwards, if the bill was passed, it would raise public awareness and encourage the efforts of the state department.

 

Lindsey Jydstrup, Nevada State Education Association, presented testimony in support of AB 584.  Mrs. Jydstrup explained the bill focused attention toward trying to solve the problem of suicide among youth, and she urged the committee to support the bill.

 

Greg Betts, Rural School Districts of Nevada, spoke in support of the bill.  Dr. Betts pointed out the bill was worthy and would be a positive step toward education.   According to Dr. Betts, the bill would not cost a significant amount of money and he urged its passage.

 

Henry Etchemendy, Nevada Association of School Boards, presented testimony in support of the bill and urged the committee to pass AB 584.

 

Janine Hansen, Nevada Eagle Forum, presented testimony in opposition to the bill.  Mrs. Hansen referred to a 1990 study from Columbia University which mentioned school courses stirred up suicidal feelings when teenagers openly discussed the topic.  Many of the students interviewed stated, "Talking about suicide made some kids more likely to try and kill themselves."  According to the study, the researchers concluded, "There is a clear need to evaluate such programs and to determine their efficacy and safety."  Mrs. Hansen remarked the Columbia University team was headed by Dr. David Shaffer, Director of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Medical School.  The students involved in the study were in the ninth and tenth grades.  According to Mrs. Hansen, Dr. Shaffer warned, "Suicide can be subject to imitation." 

 

Mrs. Hansen referred to a report from a 1990 issue of "Pediatrics."  According to experts from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, "No school services, lectures, surveillance or discussion are known to prevent teen suicide."

 

Mrs. Hansen alluded to a program which aired on ABC in 1988 titled, "World News Tonight."  The program dealt with suicide and death education.  According to the program, two high school seniors had taken the Death and Dying classes in school and committed suicide within a week of each other shortly after the class.

 

Mrs. Hansen indicated suicide prevention classes across the nation had become extremely controversial among parents.  According to Mrs. Hansen, parents were concerned with what specifically would be taught in such classes, especially for students aged 7, 8, and 9.

 

In her opinion, Mrs. Hansen felt suicide prevention classes invaded family beliefs, and she indicated there was no evidence to prove suicide rates had dropped in areas where the courses had been implemented.  Mrs. Hansen maintained if AB 584 was implemented, parents should have the right to review, in advance, all materials to be presented in the classroom, along with affirmative parental consent.  According to Mrs. Hansen, teachers should be allowed to teach academics and not be burdened with psychological training which they were not prepared for.

 

Mrs. Hansen encouraged the committee to seek information across the country showing specific suicide courses which had been implemented had lowered the suicide rate among teenagers.

 

Mr. Collins questioned, since the program was already being implemented throughout the state, what was wrong with recognizing it.  Mrs. Hansen stressed the importance of adding language which would provide parents with the opportunity to preview the material in advance, along with parental consent.  Mrs. Hansen expressed concern with parents not being allowed to withdraw their child from such classes since they were not informed in advance.

 

Lucille Lusk, Nevada Coalition for Concerned Citizens, presented testimony opposing the bill.  Mrs. Lusk explained certain components of suicide prevention classes violated the sincerely held beliefs of many parents.  Mrs. Lusk was in agreement with the proposed language allowing parents the opportunity to preview material and give their consent for participation.

 

Mrs. Lusk emphasized although several schools had implemented suicide prevention courses, the statistics in Nevada were getting worse.  Mrs. Lusk concluded by urging the committee to include the parents affirmatively in the knowledge of what was being taught and the ability to determine what was best for the students.

 

Chairman Williams closed the hearing on AB 584.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:49 p.m.

 

                             RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

 

                                                                         

                            Marilyn Cole, Committee Secretary

??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assembly Committee on Education

Date:  May 17, 1993

Page:  1

 

 

Assembly Committee on Education

Date:  May 17, 1993

Page:  2

 

 

Assembly Committee on Education

Date:  May 17, 1993

Page:  2