Southeast legislators hesitant to cut education funding
Southeast Alaska lawmakers express skepticism that the Legislature should look to school funding to cut the state's budget. In fact, some legislators would like to see spending increase in some education areas. Listen now
As APU seeks fiscal sustainability, tribal college transition possible
Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage is weighing its options to become more financially sustainable. Among its top prospects: to seek tribal college status. Listen now
Atka school in danger of shutting down
To get full funding, schools need at least 10 students. But at the Yakov E. Netsvetov school in Atka, there are only six. Listen now
UAS sees increase in first-year students, career and technical education enrollment
Enrollment is down across the University of Alaska system. But at the Southeast campus, enrollment is actually up for first-year students and students enrolled in career and technical programs. Listen now
In Goodnews Bay, the Pledge of Allegiance is a way to speak Yup’ik in school
There's no Yup’ik teacher in Goodnews Bay, so for now, the students practice by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in Yup’ik instead. Listen now
Anchorage School Board votes to close Mount Spurr Elementary School
The board heard emotional testimony from several people opposed to the closure, but ultimately voted 5-2 in favor of shutting the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson elementary school.
Otter skin sewing workshops promote ‘sustainable cottage industry’ in coastal Alaska
Sealaska Heritage Institute hopes the classes can promote cottage industries in smaller communities and maybe even offer a sustainable solution to the region’s fast-growing sea otter population.
Anchorage teachers union approves new contract
The agreement includes health benefit increases and 2 percent salary raises in the second and third years. It also contains language allowing for more input from teachers in lesson plans and scheduling.
Dunleavy says money set aside for Alaska schools is subject to veto. Lawmakers disagree.
A new fight is erupting in Juneau about spending on Alaska's public schools. It centers on whether Gov. Mike Dunleavy has the power to veto money state lawmakers set aside for schools last year, for the upcoming school year – a practice called "forward funding."
Gruening Middle School teachers and staff take first look at earthquake damage
Gruening suffered the most damage of any school in the district during the earthquake and will receive the bulk of the money in the school bond proposal for repairs and seismic upgrades.
Anchorage School District administrators go on the offensive against vaping
Administrators in Alaska's largest school district are trying to get a handle on youth vaping.
LISTEN: How can we get more Alaskans teaching in their home communities?
The highest rates of teacher turnover in Alaska are with teachers who are trained outside the state. So how are educators and lawmakers working to get more Alaskans trained to teach in their home communities?
UAA enrollment drops 10% this fall after summer of tense budget battles
It follows tense state budget battles and accreditation issues for the Anchorage university, and adds additional financial loss to a system that’s already cash-strapped and stressed.
LISTEN: How serious is the novel coronavirus?
There are confirmed cases in the U.S. and a chartered flight evacuated Americans from China through the Anchorage airport before arriving in California. But how big should this concern be compared to annual influenza infections? Should countries shut down international travel?
Students compete in Alaska’s first sanctioned eSports state championship
Sanctioning competitive video gaming means that schools can compete against each other under the same rules and regulations - just like other sports.
Anchorage School District proposes scaling back gifted program to address budget shortfall
The District plans to make up the shortfall through reductions and program redesigns.
LISTEN: To combat teen vaping in Alaska schools, educators and state officials work together
Teen vaping is a growing problem nationwide, with the CDC reporting that one in four students use vaping products. But what’s inside the liquid being vaporized? And how will it affect teenager’s health?
‘None of us wants to do this’: UAA leaders recommend eliminating degree programs to shrink budget gap
UAA is proposing to cut degree programs to save money and shrink budget gaps.
LISTEN: Shocked and confused, high school seniors navigate a school year cut short by the coronavirus
For the 9,606 high school seniors across the state who make up the class of 2020 the final sport seasons have been cut short and proms and graduations have been postponed at best or canceled.
Families of children with special needs worry their children will be left behind as education moves online
Children with special needs have a range of learning differences that often require individualized and specialized learning strategies which can be difficult to transfer to an online learning environment.