Education

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

An empty hallway with a long corkboard on the wall that's empty as well

Alaska advocates see severe child abuse skyrocket during pandemic

Abuse reports are down overall and advocates say it's because there have been fewer eyes on children during the pandemic.
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As Anchorage students return to classrooms, COVID risk and learning loss top list of concerns

While relatively few COVID-19 tests have come back positive, the latest grade data shows an increase in failing marks.

Now vaccine eligible, Anchorage teachers ready to get back to class

Initially, teachers were separated into different eligibility tiers, but the state changed course, opening vaccines to educators of all ages.
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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.

Fears dissipate, horizons expand after one month of in-person learning in Anchorage classroom

Students are following protocols and the number of people in ASD reporting positive covid cases has been fairly low.
A girl stands for a photo in winter in front of her high school building

For this Anchorage high school student, returning to the classroom can’t come soon enough

In the year since high school students have been out of the classroom, Sarah Price has been passionately discussing the negative impact of school closure on students.
A girl in an orange sweatshirt sits next to a girl in a pink shirt at a desk in their home facing the window while the both do school work on laptop computers

Percent of Anchorage students on track for graduation drops 10%

Low-income, Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander students are struggling the most with the virtual environment according to the Anchorage School District.

Anchorage school officials say students’ meals will continue, with changes, amid shift to in-person learning

Breakfast and lunch aren't listed on student's schedules because they will be grab and go. Most students will be offered a free breakfast, snack, and lunch.
A display board with a yellow background listing steps for proper handwashing in bright colors

With no COVID-19 spread in schools, Anchorage prepares for older students’ return to classrooms

Tens of thousands of students will be returning to in-person learning next week, but ASD says it’s ready.
students playing at a playground

Anchorage School Board seeks public comment on new race and equity policies

School board members say the policies will guide the superintendent’s work to address unequal student outcomes.

Alaska educators breathe sigh of relief as hundreds of millions of federal dollars roll in

The money is enough to support schools through the next few years but doesn’t address the state’s long term education funding problems
students sit in a gym

Federal dollars could be ‘game changer’ for Alaska families

Child welfare advocates are hopeful an expanded child tax credit and other components of the bill could directly improve Alaska children's well-being.

Anchorage schools to allow flexibility in distancing policy following new CDC guidelines

District officials say the current mitigation strategies are working as intended.
An empty conference room

Still sifting through Anchorage School Board candidates? Here’s where they stand on the issues.

Recovery from the pandemic, closing achievement gaps between students, and offering options other than college have been major themes in the campaign.

Fewer Alaska students qualifying for or using state scholarship fund, review finds

A review of the Alaska Performance Scholarship found standardized testing requirements and the reputation of Alaska’s post-secondary institutions are preventing students from qualifying for and using the scholarship
A line of elementary children line up and walk down the hallway out to recess in the winter

Discussion on Anchorage School Board race and equity policies heats up

The school board heard more than an hour of public testimony almost exclusively about the policies
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Dunleavy’s $70m cut to UA could cost the state $130m in federal pandemic funds

The American Rescue Plan has a lot of money for schools. But Alaska may not be able to collect its full share, due to pre-pandemic cuts to the university.

Alaska school leaders prepare summer school options to slow pandemic ‘slide’

School districts will be providing bigger and more robust summer schools than in years past.

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.
a student in a classroom

Hoping for a ‘Mississippi miracle’ Alaska lawmakers push bipartisan reading bill

The bill will provide funding for pre-k programs and standardize reading policies across the state.