Fast Facts:

Law enacted: N/A

Law passed: 1995

Number of charter schools: 31

Number of charter students: 7,300

Cap on the number of schools allowed: No

Virtual charters allowed: No

Charter Law Analysis:

AUTHORIZERS: Local districts authorize but must be approved by the state board of education. Applications denied by districts may be appealed to the state commissioner. If the commissioner upholds the denial, applicants may then appeal to the state board.

GROWTH: Alaska has no cap but growth is stymied given that authorizing is limited to districts.

OPERATIONS: Charter schools are exempt only from limited rules, including curriculum, and scheduling requirements. Charter schools must negotiate with local districts for other exemptions, including collective bargaining agreements. As a result, charters often don't have the autonomy they need to differentiate themselves.

EQUITY: The law states that a charter school's budget must be equal to the per-pupil amount that the district receives, including state and federal funds. However, it passes through the district which then can deduct administrative costs of up to 4 percent. Charters also receive no facilities funding. Legislators are considering whether or not to allow the use of taxpayer dollars to repair a public building that houses a charter school for the first time, a strange thing not to allow when kids' education is at stake.

Fast Facts:

Number of programs: N/A

Statewide participation: N/A

Types of programs: N/A

USE OF STUDENT DATA IN EVALUATING TEACHER PREP

"Alaska's educator evaluation system includes student learning data, but it does not use this data directly to hold teacher preparation programs accountable."

This is just one indicator from The National Council on Teacher Quality, which collects and analyzes states on how well their policies and practices lead to well-prepared teachers. They collect data on state laws and regulations concerning the preparation of teachers, the policies that govern their oversight and the contracts that guide their employment. Learn more about your state here.