Letters to the Editor

Readers write: Letters to the editor, May 23, 2015

Is Chenault attempting a coup?

Omigosh! What happened? When did we elect Mr. Chenault as our governor? Or does he hold some higher office? Is this a coup? Or just another Alaska "reality" show where our Legislature attempts to get on national airtime imitating Wisconsin?

Confusing when what one says defies what one does.

— Gwenn Jester-Haslett

Anchorage

Schools need reform, not money

By what standard is K-12 education in Alaska "underfunded" or "inadequately funded"?

According to the NEA, during the 2013-14 school year Alaska was first in the U.S. in per capita spending on K-12 and first in K-12 spending relative to personal income. Without oil money, it would have taken a 6 percent state income tax, from every Alaska wage earner, rich and poor, just for the 2014 K-12 budget. In 2014, Alaskans spent $20,676 per student in average daily attendance. That's 76 percent higher than the U.S. average of $11,722. In other words, Alaska spent $1.06 billion more than the U.S. average on K-12 in 2014.

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Adjusting for the coast of living — since Alaska was the fourth most expensive state in the U.S. in 2014, with a cost of living index of 1.314 (from C2ER): Alaska still spent $6,814 per student more than the U.S. average in 2014. When multiplied by the 118,500 student average daily attendance, Alaska spent $809 million more on K-12 than the average state in 2014.

Between 2004 and 2014, K-12 spending per student in Alaska increased 96 percent, while inflation was 26 percent. Between 2004 and 2014, Florida increased K-12 spending per student 32 percent and spent less than half of what Alaska spent per student in 2014. In 2013, Florida was No. 1 in the U.S. in low-income fourth grade reading NAEP scores; Alaska was dead last — more than two school years in achievement behind Florida.

Bottom Line: Adding more funding to an already very well-funded Alaska K-12 education system without a significant reform, is not going to change Alaska's continued decline in student outcomes relative to other states.

— Bob Griffin

Budget Advisory Commission

Anchorage

The views expressed here are the writers' own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a letter for consideration, email letters@alaskadispatch.com, or click here to submit via any web browser. Submitting a letter to the editor constitutes granting permission for it to be edited for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Send longer works of opinion to commentary@alaskadispatch.com.

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