Education

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

legislators in a meeting room

Alaska Legislature fails to override Dunleavy’s education veto

The Legislature was just one vote short of overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of a bill that would have significantly increased funding for public schools.
a man at podium

Alaska Legislature plans to vote Monday on overriding governor’s veto of education bill

"This is a twist that I hadn't honestly expected," Senate President Gary Stevens said.
Juneau officials

Juneau considers moving City Hall to vacant school buildings

The city has been looking for space to put all of its employees, who are currently split among five buildings.

Gov. Dunleavy vetoes bipartisan education bill

Gov. Mike Dunleavy said the bill “lacked sufficient changes in how charter schools are chartered in order to allow more students and families charter school possibilities.”
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.
Mike Dunleavy

No compromise between Alaska legislators and Gov. Dunleavy on day before education veto deadline

Legislators could convene for a joint session to consider an override as soon as next Monday if Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoes the education bill on Thursday.
a school

As their public school deteriorates, Sleetmute residents worry their community isn’t far behind

"I feel like us upriver people are just being neglected," said Agnes Sanford, vice president of the Sleetmute Tribal Council.
lawmakers

Disagreements between Alaska House Republicans stalled education work for 3 weeks

The House Education Committee didn't meet for three weeks starting Feb. 14, denying Gov. Mike Dunleavy a channel of support for his ideas.

New poll says Alaskans support ‘large’ education funding increase, child care bill, federal trawling ban

Half of Alaskans favor a per-student increase of $680 or more, the same amount the House and Senate passed in recent weeks.
Academy Charter School in Palmer.

Many Alaska charter school principals oppose Dunleavy’s plan for state approval option

Alaska charter principals say they greatly favor the existing local control of school districts.
students

Bungled FAFSA rollout delays college decisions for Alaska’s high school seniors

Alaska has the nation’s lowest percentage of high school seniors who’ve submitted the FAFSA so far.
the Alaska State Capitol

With Dunleavy veto threat looming, lawmakers work toward common ground on education

Dunleavy has to sign or veto the bill by March 14, or it becomes law without his signature.
Anchorage School Board members Dave Donley, Carl Jacobs and Pat Higgins.

Anchorage School Board reinstates most classroom budget cuts after passage of bipartisan education bill

The school board has until July to make changes if additional state funding falls through.
Man speaking in front of state seal

Dunleavy demands additional concessions before he’ll sign bipartisan education bill

Gov. Mike Dunleavy says he'll veto the bill if lawmakers don't address his priorities.
a woman with glasses in a meeting room

Gov. Mike Dunleavy says bipartisan education funding bill ‘falls far short’

The bill would increase the base per-student state funding to school districts by $680, the first substantial increase since 2016. The bill would also provide new support to charter and correspondence schools and offer funding to help young students struggling to read.
The Mat-Su Borough School Board meeting on Feb. 21, 2024.

Mat-Su School Board bans 1 book after months of committee review

An advisory committee recommended removal of the novel “This Ends with Us,” for its depiction of domestic violence.
A person in a black sweater stands in front of a sign.

American Library Association president hears about struggles and successes from Alaska librarians

While the state faces unique logistical challenges, Emily Drabinski says that many problems facing Alaska librarians are happening across the country.

Juneau School Board votes to consolidate schools

The plan will put seventh and eighth grades at Thunder Mountain High School and ninth through 12th grades at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. 

Federal education officials say Alaska owes millions to Juneau, Kenai and North Slope school districts

Rules attached to the funding prevented states from disproportionately reducing their funding to high-need districts.
Alaska Native Cultural Charter School Principal Sheila Sweetsir asks a student a question during the morning assembly on Feb. 20, 2024.

6 things to know about Alaska charter schools and why they’re No. 1 in the nation

Principals from Alaska’s top-ranked charter school point to a variety of reasons for their success.