Education

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

a Southeast tribal values poster

Trial digs into use of tribal values in Ketchikan schools

A trial will determine if traditional values including “reverence for our creator” posted in Ketchikan schools violates the First Amendment.
a basketball court

Public testimony on proposed rule shows support for trans girls in Alaska sports

Dozens of Alaska residents signed up to testify against the proposed Alaska School Activities Association rule, with many calling it anti-trans.
A teacher sits at her desk in a classroom full of tables and chairs but no students

When will the Anchorage School District reopen to students? Possibly mid-October, district says

Superintendent Deena Bishop says the decreasing number of covid cases in the city is a good sign for resuming in person learning.
a woman

Outgoing Juneau superintendent will help University of Alaska recruit teachers

Bridget Weiss has been named the first-ever liaison for the Alaska College of Education Consortium.
a lunch counter

Alaska schools struggling to keep up with the cost of food

As Alaska school districts look ahead at their 2024 budgets, many are under pressure because of steep inflation in the price of food.
A woman in a striped shirt stands in front of snow and trees.

Alaska education group prepares to sue state over school funding

“If the only thing that people will listen to is the court system, then that's what we're left with,” said Caroline Storm, with the Coalition for Education Equity of Alaska.
A middle school musician plays violin.

A gifted Anchorage middle school pianist finds a new instrument and rediscovers his love for music

With instruction from his mother and encouragement from his father, Han Keum has become one of the most talented young musicians in Anchorage. 
Aparna Palmer

Aparna Palmer named new University of Alaska Southeast chancellor

Palmer is vice president of Front Range Community College in Colorado. She also previously worked at Colorado Mesa University.
Soldotna High School

Soldotna teacher, union president charged with sexual abuse of a minor

Nathan Erfurth, 34, was a teacher at Soldotna High School, and for the last two years president of the Kenai Peninsula Education Association.

Newtok’s school loses power plant in fire

The Western Alaska village of Newtok has lost power at its local school due to a Thursday fire, according to state officials.
raptors and students

Sitka raptors visit Petersburg schools

Owlison the owl and Jake the hawk from the Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka recently paid Petersburg students a visit.
a basketball court

Alaska sports board decides against barring trans girls from girls sports, for now

The Alaska School Activities Association said its board could still adopt the change in the future if state rules compel it to.
a meeting

Juneau School Board decides to keep previously approved school closure plan

The plan puts seventh and eighth grades at Thunder Mountain High School and ninth through 12th grades at Juneau-Douglas High School.
a Tlingit mural and totem poles

Tlingit and Haida selected for Alaska’s tribal school program

The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska is one of five tribal organizations to receive a state-tribal education compacting grant.
a woman

Federal Indian boarding schools still exist, but what’s inside may be surprising

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland's "Road to Healing" tour last year visited boarding schools, some of them still open, to hear from their survivors.
two kids hold signs that call for more education funding

Alaska school officials say one-time funding boost leaves budgets unpredictable

School district leaders and many legislators were hopeful that the state's base student allocation to schools would increase significantly this year.
a statute outside

Dunleavy appoints new regent to University of Alaska board 

Stephen Colligan is Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s third attempt to fill the Board of Regents seat, after Bethany Marcum and Tuckerman Babcock.
A woman gasps as she is handed flowers and a plaque.

Anchorage science teacher named Alaska’s Teacher of the Year

Anchorage School District's Catherine Walker was presented with the prestigious award on Friday during a surprise school assembly.
A building with a blue sign in front of it.

Anchorage teachers, school district agree on contract terms

The Anchorage teachers’ union announced a tentative agreement Friday on a one-year contract with a 3% pay increase.
a trooper car

Former Mat-Su substitute teacher charged with sexually abusing 2 children

Court records show Scott Anthony Pezzini, 31, of Wasilla is charged with three counts of sexual abuse of a minor.