The committee reworked a version of Gov. Sean Parnell's plan that would have established a special fund for the Alaska performance scholarship program. Parnell has touted merit scholarships for high school graduates as a way to help transform the public education system. Last year, the Legislature approved $400 million as an endowment for student scholarships but a bill establishing a fund stalled in the Senate.
The reworked bill calls for one-third of the money available each year to go for AlaskAdvantage grants, which help students with financial needs, and for two-thirds to go to scholarships.
The bill was held Wednesday for further consideration.
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.