Education

Bargaining parties say they’re hopeful, though the outcome will depend on funding in the next state budget.

The long-running and escalating dispute had seen $17.5 million in pandemic-era funds withheld for Alaska.

The change comes after Alaska Education Commissioner Deena Bishop told school districts to reconsider the practice.

Nunaka Valley and Lake Hood will be closed after this school year, while Baxter and Fire Lake were saved for at least another year.

School Board members will cast votes tomorrow night on whether to close and repurpose four elementary schools.

The district hopes to use excess space in elementary schools for a program that would attract new employees and address a community-wide child care crisis, officials say.

Alaska’s second-largest district cited a state position that “e-learning” will no longer count as instruction. Anchorage officials say a decision is planned soon.

Marti Guzman is a family service coordinator. She helps families overcome challenges so their kids can stay in school and thrive.

Commissioner Deena Bishop said districts should instead add in-person instructional hours to make up for snow days.

The Anchorage School District says declining student enrollment and a massive budget gap have forced its hand in closing some schools. But parents and staff say proposed closures will disproportionately unsettle 88 “structured learning” students.

The district’s larger “rightsizing” plan came out earlier this month and immediately drew intense criticism from parents and community members.

Since age 6, Romig Middle School student Emily Brubaker has been advocating for legislation that would amend federal law and require health insurance companies to pay for congenital anomaly treatments.

With less than a month to go before they vote on a proposal to cut or repurpose seven elementary schools, school board members say they’re still collecting information and hoping to hear from residents.

The change was presented as necessary to make room for additional career and technical education courses as part of the implementation of the career academies model in Anchorage.

Anchorage is home to some of the most diverse public schools in the country. The school district relies on specialized programs to support its many students with language needs.

The Anchorage School District has proposed closing seven elementary schools, citing declining enrollment, aging school buildings, a budget shortfall and other challenges.

The suit alleged the district violated students’ constitutional rights.

Anchorage and Juneau schools appear to face the biggest hit, but education officials warn the impacts could be felt more widely.

The proposal, which will need to be approved by the school board before it can be implemented, calls for staggered closures over the course of three years.

Commissioner Deena Bishop said the documents were a first draft and appeared on the state’s website due to a technical error.

Most U.S. adults support cellphone bans in middle and high schools, research shows.

The standards lay out what students from kindergarten through third grade are expected to know to develop proficiency in reading in their language. The framework also reflects an Alaska Native worldview and puts emphasis on oral traditions.

So far this school year, there have been two suspected overdoses in Anchorage School District students.