For too long, the conversation about education has been framed as one that pits traditional neighborhood schools against charter and other nontraditional forms of public education. The assumptions that frame this argument present a false dichotomy and do nothing to help solve our current educational crisis.
It is common knowledge that Alaska hovers near the bottom in educational outcomes compared with other states. Additionally, the USA has also been falling far behind other first world nations, so we are last in line on a sinking ship. Even if you balk at the emphasis on test scores, take a look at the mass exodus of students from the traditional public system. The Anchorage School District alone has lost close to 3,000 students this past year. When students are exiting like this, even with very little financial incentive to do so, we should ask ourselves why.
By contrast, Alaska currently ranks seventh from the top of all states in terms of high education funding. Funding is clearly not impacting outcomes as it should. Doing what we’ve always done by increasing funding alone is clearly not giving our students the kind of education they need.
Nevertheless, some want to increase the BSA (base student allocation) funding at all costs. They emphasize the need to increase funding because of inflation. However, funding doesn’t address the exodus of thousands of students away from traditional schools. Without reforms, those who are financially able might join private schools. Others could move to correspondence schools and the allotments those schools provide. Allotments allow students a myriad of ways to be educated: online classes, learning at home, or accessing the services of an independent educator who teaches one on one or in small groups at a fraction of the cost of what it takes to be educated in a traditional setting.
We often categorize students as “public school kids,” “homeschool kids,” or “private school kids,” without acknowledging that many kids move from one type of schooling to another or even experience multiple forms of education concurrently. Contrary to popular belief, the children who exit traditional public schools are not those who are doing well, who are already thriving in school. The 2024 report from EdChoice.org shows that they are most often kids who are not thriving in traditional situations and are not satisfied with the traditional experience.
According to a recent Harvard study, Alaska public charter schools have been named the best in the nation. It begs the question: What are these schools doing that our traditional schools aren’t doing? The research shows that it’s not simply the more capable kids, the wealthiest, or white students who are succeeding in these schools. Alaskan charter schools vary in approach, but share one very simple characteristic: They provide families with more choices.
In a capitalistic society we should understand the basic economic principle that competition drives excellence and innovation. The public system of education is no exception to the rule. There is much talk about local control in education. How much more local does it get than parents choosing the best education model for a student?
Some criticize Gov. Dunleavy for withholding funding from education, but he has stated publicly that he supports more funding if it is tied to increasing student outcomes. If we care more about funding than we do about student outcomes, we have incorrectly shifted our focus to an elevation of the system over a commitment to parents and students. The research clearly shows that when choice increases for families, student achievement goes up even for students who stay in traditional public school settings. Dunleavy is not proposing that we send government money to private schools. He is advocating for more equitable public school choice with public school funds.
Public school choice does force schools to make some tough choices — and it should. If student outcomes are not our first priority, we need new priorities. We need to stop pitting different forms of public education against one another and begin working together. School choice is sweeping the nation because when funding follows the child, all students thrive. It’s time for Alaska to learn from our missteps and begin to champion choice for all Alaskan families.
Leigh Sloan is the author of “Pride and Privilege,” podcaster of “Brave Nation with Leigh Sloan,” and Director of Alaska School Choice, a nonprofit helping families access educational programs of their choice. She also administrates The Green Room Learning Community, a K-12 educational program serving Anchorage. This article was submitted by the Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy on behalf of the author.
