Education

All Alaska education news stories including child care, K-12 schools, university and policy.

a student

School closure on Eielson Air Force base highlights effects of education policy choices

Military families have been rocked by the second school closure on the growing base near Fairbanks.
A man in a suit and tie sits on a board of directors.

Anchorage School District announces plan to close schools as part of ‘right-sizing’ effort

District staff hope to improve the process from the last time a school closed in 2022.
a school

Juneau seeks proposals to fill space in closing schools

City Manager Katie Koester said the buildings could be used for child care, housing or anything else that might benefit the community.

Divided Alaska House calls for stay of homeschool decision until mid-2025

The two-page “sense of the House” approved by a 20-18 vote Wednesday supports a stay of the judge’s ruling through the end of June 2025.
a fishing boat in the ocean

University of Alaska gets $20M to study effects of climate change on fishing and harvesting in the Gulf of Alaska

The Interface of Change project will support five years of research to boost climate resilience for mariculture and traditional harvesting.
a sign

Unalaska school district asks city for nearly $6M as it faces large deficit

The request is about $500,000 more than last year’s ask, and includes the maximum allowable contribution from the city’s general fund.
A woman in a blue shirt and black cardigan gestures to floor plans on a table.

Anchorage middle schools prepare to include sixth grade starting this fall

Middle schools are rearranging floor plans, hiring teachers and adding portables to accommodate the students.
students

After a dozen years, statewide Yup’ik language spelling bee going strong

Yup'ik and Inupiaq spelling bees, like those held earlier this month in Anchorage, are a relatively new experience for students.

Dunleavy says correspondence school decision will have broad impacts. But will it?

A judge recently threw out two laws underpinning key aspects of Alaska's homeschool system. The impact of the decision is up for debate.
two people pose on stage, one holding a jersey

Anchorage’s Alissa Pili selected 8th in WNBA draft

Pili is the sixth Alaskan to make the WNBA. She now shares the record as the highest overall WNBA draft pick by an Alaskan.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy speaks to a microphone.

Dunleavy argues homeschool allotments are an ‘indirect benefit’ to private schools. Lawmakers disagree.

House Republicans and the bipartisan Senate majority each say the Alaska Constitution prohibits spending public money on private education.
a basketball hoop

Alaska House committee advances, expands proposal to bar trans girls from girls sports

An amended bill would add elementary, middle school and collegiate sports to limits in place for high school.

A judge has thrown out a key part of Alaska’s homeschool system. Here’s what to know.

A judge found unconstitutional the state's correspondence school allotment program, which pays for classes and supplies purchased by parents.
a courthouse

Alaska judge strikes down state’s cash payments to families using correspondence school programs

The decision on correspondence programs will become a "hot-button legislative item" in the final weeks of session, lawmakers said.
students

Bishop disputes feds’ claim that Alaska didn’t fund schools equitably during pandemic

Education Commissioner Deena Bishop says the state funded schools as usual and didn't disproportionately reduce districts' funding.
a man at podium

Dunleavy says new polling data shows Alaskans want education reform with BSA increase

The poll was commissioned by the governor and conducted by Dittman Research just one week after Dunleavy vetoed the legislature’s bipartisan education bill.
A group of students walking of their school wearing red and holding a sign that reads, "Prioritize my Education."

Alaska schools making drastic cuts in wake of governor’s veto, school administrators council says

Lisa Parady is the Executive Director of the Alaska Council of School Administrators and says the council's members are doing everything they can to avoid negative impacts to classrooms and students.
A student sitting on the shoulders of another student holding up a sign in protest.

Alaska students stage statewide walkout to protest education funding veto

Students protested Gov. Dunleavy’s veto of an education funding bill and the Legislature's failure to override the veto.
school bus in front of building

States beyond Alaska were surprised by COVID education grant requirement, expert says

State lawmakers got some perspective on a COVID-related education funding dispute between Alaska and the federal government on Wednesday.
crowberries

Alaska school year could start in September under new proposal

The later start date would allow students to spend more time on subsistence activities and working in construction or tourism jobs.