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Leadership
Your Governor:
Mike Dunleavy (R) (50)
First term began in 2018 (two-term limit). Re-elected in 2022.
Governor Mike Dunleavy, a supporter of education innovation and opportunity, seized on a recent Harvard study that revealed charter schools in the state are top performers, to push his long standing agenda to replicate the success for all kids in Alaska. Kudos to the Gov for pushing to double funding for charters and increase the number of schools available to families.
STATE LEGISLATURE:
The legislature is following suit with a budget that increases funding for all public education, but, more importantly, a streamlined approval process for charter schools. While there is little appetite for more comprehensive changes, it’s hoped that policymakers will continue to push to bring opportunity and innovation to the “last frontier” state.
Constitutional Issues
Alaska courts have historically interpreted the state's Blaine Amendment restrictively. Alaska has a Blaine Amendment and courts there "have rejected the distinction between aiding students and aiding the institutions those students choose to attend, thereby limiting the use of public funds to public educational institutions." (Institute for Justice)
Transparency
Alaska’s school accountability data is parent friendly. School report cards are easily accessible on Alaska’s Department of Education mainpage under the Data Center tab. Data is written in simple language making report cards useful for all parents. Reports include academic indicators such as academic progress, academic achievement, and graduation rates as well as non-academic indicators like school quality, teacher quality, and per-pupil spending giving parents a complete picture of the school.
Educational options can be found under “Student Learning → Charter Schools.”
School Board elections in Alaska occur separately from the general election cycle, often resulting in reduced parental influence and a diminished ability to make their voices heard due to lower voter turnout.