Education

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

Lori Townsend and Brian Mason look at Kevin Toothaker, who sits between them, mimicking the motion used during ice fishing.

Combining lessons in culture, history, and outdoor skills | Alaska Insight

Lori Townsend and her guests discuss the ways they incorporate traditional knowledge and culture into practical lessons about biology and outdoor skills.
the Alaska State Capitol

Funding remains a key sticking point in education bill debate

Leaders of the state House and Senate say they've found some common ground, but education funding remains a key sticking point.

Anchorage School Board passes anti-racism and equity policies with overwhelming support

The policies stemmed from the murder of George Floyd in 2020 and have been hotly debated for weeks. The policies passed the same day a jury convicted the police officer who killed Floyd.

Anchorage teens can now obtain pilot licenses through UAA, ASD partnership

At the end of the program, teens will walk away with a private pilot's license, and college course credits, and having saved tens of thousands of dollars - all before graduating high school.
aerial photo of buildings and trees

Anxiety, then relief for international college students in Alaska after week of changing rules

The rules, issued by ICE, said students would need to take classes in-person this fall or leave the country.
a basketball hoop

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 female teacher points to a word projected on a white board in a classroom with three students sitting a tables facing the front of the classroom

Tutoring programs give a window into what reopened Anchorage schools may look like

The Anchorage School District's tutoring program is targeting children who most need in-person instruction, and testing out its protocols for when more students return to classrooms in November.
A sign says University of Alaska Anchorage in the snow

‘None of us wants to do this’: UAA leaders recommend eliminating degree programs to shrink budget gap

UAA is proposing to cut degree programs to save money and shrink budget gaps.
A man in red speaks in a crowd of people wearing red, waiving yellow signs.

Mat-Su teachers, district reach contract deal to avert a strike

The Matanuska-Susitna Education Association has voted to ratify a contract with the borough’s school district after negotiating for over a year and a half.
An empty conference room

Politics take center stage as Anchorage school board race gets underway

After a year of difficult decision-making more people are interested in influencing the non-partisan body.
A sign says University of Alaska Anchorage in the snow

UAA enrollment drops 10% this fall after summer of tense budget battles

It follows tense state budget battles and accreditation issues for the Anchorage university, and adds additional financial loss to a system that’s already cash-strapped and stressed.
the kenai courthouse

Former Soldotna teacher accused of sexually abusing student to be released on house arrest

Nathan Erfurth is to have no contact with the victim or unsupervised contact with any minors but his biological children, a judge ruled Thursday.
Young students sit behind desks in an elementary school classroom.

Alaska lawmakers look to increase school funding in upcoming legislative session

State funding to school districts has, essentially, not changed since 2017. At the same time, the cost of pretty much everything has gone up.
A structural engineer address the crowd on a tour of the damage at Gruening Middle School

Gruening Middle School teachers and staff take first look at earthquake damage

Gruening suffered the most damage of any school in the district during the earthquake and will receive the bulk of the money in the school bond proposal for repairs and seismic upgrades.
Al Gross stands on a boat dock holding fisherman's jacket over his shoulder, looking at the camera

LISTEN: U.S. Senate candidate Al Gross is here to answer your questions

Making his first run for public office, Al Gross wants to win the race for Alaska's U.S. Senate seat, currently held by incumbent Dan Sullivan. Gross is running as an Independent with support from state democrats.
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. 
A panel of people in business attire.

Anchorage superintendent reflects on his first year at the helm of the state’s largest school district

Jharrett Bryantt had a tumultuous first year as the superintendent of the Anchorage School District. There was the bus driver shortage, an unprecedented string of snow days and a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. But, he noted, there were many bright spots, too.
a Wrangell school bus

To get an electric bus, Wrangell schools must first buy an old diesel bus — and destroy it

Wrangell Public Schools received Alaska's only federal grant last year for an electric school bus — but recipients have to prove they've junked old buses.
A student sitting on the shoulders of another student holding up a sign in protest.

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.
A screenshot of the Alaska Board of Education and Early Development's Zoom meeting on July 26, 2023.

State board postpones vote on transgender athlete regulation

The board postponed action that could bar trans girls from competing on high school sports teams that align with their gender identity.