Education

2012 ALASKA LEGISLATURE

Church-owned housing measure has its first hearing

A measure that would wipe out some property tax breaks for church-owned housing got its first hearing Thursday before a state legislative committee, but it didn't advance.

Education funding bill clears Senate hurdle

Pension bill would spread risk of health care cost increases

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Education funding bill clears Senate hurdle

A bill that guarantees three years of increased funding to Alaska school districts was cleared Thursday for a floor vote in the Senate.

School closures: S. Anchorage, Eagle River, Chugiak, Palmer

The Anchorage School District says schools and bus routes in South Anchorage, on the Anchorage Hillside, and in Eagle River and Chugiak will be closed today due to icy roads and poor driving conditions. The Mat-Su Borough School District has also closed Palmer-area schools.

Education funding hike gets support from educators, parents

The Senate Finance Committee heard overwhelming support Wednesday for a proposed increase in education funding.

BP gives $1 million for UAA lab to study metals corrosion

BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. announced Monday that it will donate $1 million to the University of Alaska Anchorage to help create a lab to study the effects of corrosion on pipe metals.

2012 ALASKA LEGISLATURE

Alaska education commissioner defends school intervention

Alaska Education Commissioner Michael Hanley on Monday fended off criticism of his department's approach to intervention in struggling schools.

State attorney warns against repealing school intervention

House continues analysis of state operating budget

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37 nominated to attend US service academies next year

Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced that she has nominated 37 young Alaskans for appointment to the U.S. military service academies for the class of 2016.

State attorney warns against repealing school intervention

The state is walking a narrow line if the Legislature repeals the state intervention process in struggling schools as House Education Chair Rep. Alan Dick suggests in HB256. That is the warning Neil Slotnick, a state attorney, gave the House Education Committee on Friday.

Shortage of funds spells fewer teachers and larger classes for Fairbanks schools

The Fairbanks School District is coping with a budget shortfall that will mean fewer teachers and bigger class sizes.

2012 ALASKA LEGISLATURE

Divided House committee advances bill on school choice

An expansion of school choice programs available to Alaskans is one step closer to becoming a reality, but a 4-3 vote by the House Education Committee this week and concerns raised by legislators suggest the road ahead for the bill could be rough.

Rural educators say state is out of step with their needs

Educators from a Western Alaska school district described to the House Education Committee this morning a relationship with state regulators they say is plagued by a lack of dialogue and inconsistent priorities.

2012 ALASKA LEGISLATURE

Rural lawmaker wants council on Alaska Native languages

Linguists and Native groups from across Alaska are lining up behind a proposal aimed at preserving and revitalizing the state's 20 Native languages.

Democrats introduce resolution against unlimited campaign spending

Bill would help fund legal services for low-income Alaskans

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Florida educator named next Anchorage schools superintendent

He has a bit of a "Google problem," but the Anchorage School Board says a former Florida superintendent looking to make Alaska his last stop in a long career is the best pick to lead the city's schools.

Museum receives pipeline pig

The University of Alaska Museum of the North is the proud owner of a new pipeline pig.

2012 ALASKA LEGISLATURE

Lawmakers take tentative step toward boost in school funds

A Senate committee today advanced legislation that would increase per-student education funding in Alaska. But there's considerable debate at the Capitol over whether it is the right approach.

Alaska lawmaker urges federal takeover of Central Park

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Engineering firm donates software to UAF

The University of Alaska Fairbanks says an engineering company has made a $1.6 million software donation to the school's petroleum engineering department.

State, plaintiffs settle rural education lawsuit

The state agreed Thursday to settle an eight-year case over rural education quality. Plaintiffs in the case claimed Alaska failed to meet its constitutional obligation to provide an education to schoolchildren.

PHOTOS: BEST OF JANUARY

Middle school teachers learn about robots

Central Middle School teachers Keith Hodson, left, and Michael Warren work on programming a Lego Mindstorm NXT robot to respond to sound during a workshop at Central on Wednesday. Seven teachers from Central and Mears middle schools are taking the two-day class, called geospatial and robotics technologies for the 21st century, to learn to use the robot kits. The goal is to incorporate robotics lessons in the classroom or in afterschool activities for their students.

Little progress on teacher quality in Alaska, group says

A new report says only three states have made less progress at improving the quality of teachers than Alaska since 2009.

Research shows low college graduation rates in Alaska

A legislative research report shows Alaska's college graduation rate ranked last nationally in all but two years between 1997 and 2009.

School Board candidate ordered to pay campaign fine

The Alaska Public Offices Commission has ordered former Anchorage School Board candidate Bob Griffin to pay a $5,700 fine for campaign disclosure violations.