Education

Alaska’s test scores fuel political debate on future of schools

Education officials point to broader issues of budget cuts, staff shortages, and COVID-19 pandemic impacts on student learning.

Corinne Smith, Alaska Beacon 2:58 AM

Alaska students continue to struggle in math and reading, according to ‘Nation’s Report Card’

Alaska’s 4th and 8th graders scored below the national average and showed no improvement in 2024, amid a national decline in reading proficiency.

Corinne Smith, Alaska Beacon February 5, 2025

Gov. Dunleavy’s new Alaska education working group starts closed-door talks on consensus deal

A small group of legislators and a member of the governor’s office are meeting behind closed doors to try to resolve the education debate.

Sean Maguire February 5, 2025
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In message to families, Anchorage School District describes response to new federal stance on immigration

The school district briefed principals on Monday and published information for families on its policy if immigration police officers enter a school.

Jenna Kunze February 4, 2025

Anchorage high schoolers lead effort to expand access to period products in district schools

The Period Project aims to make period products more accessible to increasingly younger menstruating girls by bringing them to where they are needed most: school bathrooms.

Jenna Kunze February 3, 2025

Anchorage School District proposes cutting teacher positions, middle school sports and more amid flat state funding

The budget proposal also calls for cutting librarian and school nurse positions, as well as a program serving gifted students.

Iris Samuels February 1, 2025

Gov. Dunleavy unveils education legislation that would boost Alaska homeschooling and charter schools, setting up a battle with lawmakers

The governor’s proposal would not increase the state’s school funding formula.

Iris Samuels, Sean Maguire January 31, 2025

University of Alaska and faculty union reach tentative agreement for new contract

Bargaining parties reached a tentative deal with support from federal mediation, after talks stalled in a deadlock in December.

Corinne Smith, Alaska Beacon January 31, 2025

University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Sean Parnell set to retire

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney appointed Parnell in 2021, and praised his leadership and service as chancellor of UAA, the largest of the three universities within the University of Alaska system.

Corinne Smith, Alaska Beacon January 24, 2025

Mat-Su school board considers shakeup of home-school correspondence program as district faces $22 million shortfall

The plan would divide Mat-Su Central into two programs: one with an in-person class requirement, and one with reduced high school graduation credit standards.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  January 17, 2025
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