Education
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Alaska Pacific University will partner with Seattle U to offer the state’s first dual MBA/law program
Alaska Pacific University will begin offering a dual law and masters of business administration program this fall. The program is in partnership with Seattle University.
Mat-Su schools book ban goes to federal judge for oral arguments
Parents and students sued the school district over the book removal of 56 books without review from school libraries last April.
Bills targeting trans people are on the rise nationwide and in Alaska — most focus on children
A state House committee has advanced legislation that would restrict the rights of Alaska trans kids.
Fairbanks school board president apologizes after criticizing lawmakers’ veto-override votes
Brandy Harty had suggested lawmakers caved to threats from Gov. Mike Dunleavy to vote against overriding his veto of increased school spending.
Missteps from Alaska’s education department could cost the state millions in grants, feds say
A federal “high risk” designation could cost the state grant funding because it did not comply with requirements for pandemic relief funds.
Voters to decide on Inlet View Elementary replacement, security upgrades on Anchorage school bond
The $62 million bond includes roof repairs, secure vestibules and a new Inlet View Elementary School.
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