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LISTEN: Not every student in Alaska has access to reliable internet. How are officials handling distance education in rural Alaska?

The Lower Kuskokwim School District received $1.5 million in funding to benefit any school with a Yup'ik or Cup'ik language program, including Ayaprun Elitnaurvik in Bethel, Alaska. (Photo by Airn Carl, KYUK - Bethel)
The Lower Kuskokwim School District received $1.5 million in funding to benefit any school with a Yup'ik or Cup'ik language program, including Ayaprun Elitnaurvik in Bethel, Alaska. (Photo by Airn Carl, KYUK - Bethel)

School is underway across the state, but it’s a wide-ranging mix of in-person and distance learning for students. How will rural students access course materials in areas with little or no broadband? What was learned from the disruption of sudden school closures in the spring that can help keep students engaged and learning this fall? And how will teachers build relationships with students that can’t log on?

HOST: Lori Townsend
GUESTS:

  • Karen Melin, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Education and Early Development
  • Kimberly Hankins, Superintendent, Lower Kuskokwim School District
  • Michael Johnson, Commissioner, Department of Education and Early Development

PARTICIPATE:

Call 550-8422 (Anchorage) or 1-800-478-8255 (statewide) during the live broadcast.

Send an email to talk@alaskapublic.org (comments may be read on air).

Post your comment before, during or after the live broadcast (comments may be read on air).

LIVE Broadcast: Tuesday, Sept 1, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. on APRN stations statewide.
LIVE Web stream: Click here to stream.

Lori Townsend is the news director and senior host for Alaska Public Media. You can send her news tips and program ideas for Talk of Alaska and Alaska Insight at ltownsend@alaskapublic.org or call 907-550-8452.