Education

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

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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.
Alaska House representatives

Revised bill would require Alaska parents to approve students’ classes, textbooks and lessons

Parents would also have to OK students’ nicknames and pronouns at the start of the school year.
School buses parked next to each other.

Peruvian man arrested in connection with bomb threats made to Alaska schools

Eddie Manuel Nunez Santos is alleged to have sent more than 150 bomb threats to school districts, synagogues, airports and hospitals across the United States.

Anchorage middle school reports suspected mumps case

Romig Middle School staff canceled after-school activities Thursday when they learned of the case. The school is being disinfected, pending test results.
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 family

After viral ad offering expense-free living, Alaska community will have school for the first time since 2018

To reopen its school, Karluk's tribal council posted a viral ad offering to pay a year of living expenses for two families to move there. It worked.

How can the Anchorage School District close its budget gap? | Alaska Insight

Lori Townsend talks with School Board Member Dave Donley, and Alyse Galvin of Great Alaska Schools, to understand the scope of the Anchorage School District's $68 million budget gap, and what can be done to address it.
Treg Taylor

Alaska attorney general wants access to medical information about out-of-state-abortions and gender-affirming care

The letter is a response to the Biden administration’s proposed protections of patient privacy when crossing state lines for medical care.
Houston High School ribbon cutting

New Houston High School building opens over 4 years after 2018 quake

The 7.1-magnitude quake damaged roads, houses, and other infrastructure, and did irreparable damage to Houston Middle School.
A snowplow pushes through thick snow on a residential street.

From next week to March 9, Anchorage school days will be 30 minutes longer

The Anchorage School Board approved the plan to make up for class time lost due to an unprecedented string of snow days in December.
an Alaska-themed soccer ball in a net

Alaska state school board supports barring transgender female students from girls’ sports

The Alaska State Board of Education has approved a resolution that supports barring transgender female students from participating in girls’ sports.
Students in a second grade classroom at Ptarmigan Elementary School in Anchorage receive instruction from student teacher Erisa Koci.

Alaska’s education spending lags behind national average when costs are factored in, economists say

Adjusted for the cost of living in rural and urban areas, Alaska spends about 7% less per student than the nationwide average, according to a recent study.
Professional musicians stand on an auditorium stage with a high school jazz band.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy jams with Service High jazz band

Five members of the swing band showed up to jam — and offer a few pointers — with the 9 a.m. jazz band class.

Anchorage School District superintendent expects to postpone start of in-person classes

Anchorage Schools Superintendent Deena Bishop said she'll likely push back the return to in-person schooling because of a surge of COVID-19 infections in the city.
The Bartlett High School class of 2022 commencement.

Alaska lawmakers work to lower barriers to eligibility for in-state scholarships

The Alaska Performance Scholarship reported its lowest eligibility rate ever last year.
People dressed in red watch a school board meeting.

Anchorage School District restores elementary art classes in budget proposal

The school board will vote on the final budget proposal next week.
A caution sign that says, "Overhead Work Stay Clear" sits on top of a snow berm in front of a school building.

Anchorage School District closes 5 school libraries due to snow load

The Anchorage School District has closed five elementary school libraries to evaluate potentially dangerous snow buildup on top of schools.
People sit at tables during a meeting.

Mat-Su library committee recommends removing 4 books from schools

The books include “It’s Perfectly Normal” by Robbie Harris and “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison.
school bus in front of building

A closer look at the Harvard charter school study making waves in Juneau

A new study ranks Alaska's charter schools No. 1 in the nation. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has cited the study in calls to expand charter schools.