Education is the cornerstone of a thriving society, and in Alaska, our education system is at a critical juncture. The need for comprehensive reform is not just a policy discussion; it’s necessary for our future. Despite generous funding per student compared to many states, Alaska continues to lag in outcomes. We must have reforms.
Recent reports and studies, including those from the Harvard Institute, have highlighted that Alaska’s public school charter schools are among the best in the nation. Our charter school success is a beacon, showing that with the right reforms, we can achieve remarkable results. Parents know that charter schools offer their students something that many neighborhood schools cannot, and the growing number of students on waitlists is evidence of that.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy recognizes that parents are demanding a variety of education models for their children and is advocating for policies that expand educational choice. Sadly, his proposals have met with resistance from special interests, who seem more interested in funding a system than meeting the demands of parents and students.
In addition to the creation of more charter schools, increased funding for public homeschool correspondence programs is also a pressing need. These programs have seen a significant rise in enrollment, with over 23,000 students participating last year — about 18% of all Alaska’s students. Currently, families only receive an average of $2,700 every year compared to $21,325 for other students. This amount hasn’t kept pace with educational costs, the needs of students in remote areas, or those choosing homeschooling for personalized education. It also raises serious questions about equity.
The current correspondence funding calculation also creates a financial burden for school districts that have correspondence programs. Dunleavy’s proposal to calculate funding differently would increase the amount of funding for school districts and could empower more families to tailor education to their children’s unique needs, especially in regions where traditional schooling is logistically challenging.
Another critical aspect to education reform must be the alignment of education with workforce needs. Alaska’s economy is unique, with significant opportunities in fields like skilled labor, resource management, healthcare and technology. Alaska’s business community supports the governor’s efforts to expand career and technical (CTE) opportunities for students. His proposed changes will provide more options for CTE training and will better prepare students for real-world jobs that are available in our state.
Finally, the most important reforms could be those that support our teachers and the collaboration between public educators and the people they serve — Alaska’s parents and students. Teachers are the heart of education, and without supported and motivated teachers, no amount of reform will succeed. The implementation of cellphone-free policies during instructional times, as proposed in some legislative bills, could be one way to enhance classroom focus and teacher effectiveness. School district policies must also limit the amount of disruption that occurs in classrooms.
The involvement of parents and communities in educational reforms cannot be overstated. The current system often lacks transparency and accountability, which has led to a disconnect between what Alaskans want for their children’s education and what is currently delivered. Educators must include parents in policy decisions and parents need to be actively engaged in helping their children to be more successful. Everyone should recognize that we must do something different if we want different results.
Alaska has many great educators and local districts have made some good policy changes, but the overall system is crying out for reform. With Alaska’s dubious status of being 51st out of 53 in NAEP scores and over half of our students below basic proficiency in core subject areas, despite spending an average of $21,325 per student annually, the evidence for needed change is clear. We must address the increasing demand for correspondence schooling by boosting funding, alleviate the pressure on charter schools by streamlining their expansion, and better support our teachers. A multifaceted approach that includes accountability, innovation in teaching methods, strategic funding, and community engagement is not just beneficial but essential. The future of our children depends on our ability to reform education now. It’s not just about funding; it’s about rethinking and restructuring how we educate the next generation of Alaskans.
Kendal Kruse is a member of the Mat-Su Borough School Board. This column reflects her opinions, not those of the school board. This opinion piece was submitted to Homer News by the office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy on behalf of Kruse.
