Education

Gara seeks laptops for foster home kids

A state legislator this week kicked off a summertime laptop drive to pair donated computers with youths living in foster homes. State Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage, is working with the advocacy group Facing Foster Care in Alaska.

Anchorage schools appeal for help dealing with vandalism

The Anchorage School District is again appealing to the public to help prevent summer vandalism at public schools.

Anchorage School District gives layoff notices to 55 employees

The Anchorage School District is handing layoff notices to 35 teachers and 20 support staff members as a result of "budget restraints."

UAF celebrates record-breaking graduating class

More than 500 University of Alaska Fairbanks students attended graduation ceremonies at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks.

District, Juneau teachers agree to mediation

The Juneau School District and its teachers will seek mediation to assist in contract talks.

University of Montana students line up for Alaska teaching posts

The College of Education at the University of Montana is proving to be a reliable source of young teachers for rural Alaska, reports KPAX-TV in Missoula, which is following a young local couple's attempt to land an Alaska job after finding Montana jobs tough to get.

Meeting considers role for Alaska Native language council

Should a semester of Alaska Native language studies be required in high school? Should every school have a Native language teacher? Those were among suggestions Monday at a meeting called in response to passage of a bill creating a state Native language council.

GOP blocks Senate debate on student loan interest bill

U.S. Senate Republicans have derailed a Democratic bill that would keep interest rates on federal college loans from doubling July 1. It's an election-year battle aimed at the hearts -- and votes -- of millions of students and their parents.

COMMENCEMENT 2012

UAA student overcomes brain injury to get his degree

Nearly three years after Conor Daugharty suffered a devastating brain injury in a car accident, watching the 25-year-old from Eagle River walk up to get his college diploma was something family and friends considered a sweet gift.

List of 2012 UAA graduates

UAA to bestow its first Ph.D. degrees

In ceremonies this weekend, psychology students Cody Chipp and Jaymes Gonzales will become the first graduates to receive doctorate degrees from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

UAA about to award its first-ever doctorate degrees

The University of Alaska Anchorage next week will present its first-ever doctorate degrees, reports the Alaska Public Radio Network.

Chief of university's Ketchikan campus announces departure

The man hired a year ago to head the Ketchikan campus of the University of Alaska Southeast is leaving.

Standout Alaskans set to enter prep Hall of Fame

An opera star from Fairbanks and a hockey player from Anchorage who was one of the first Alaskans to play professionally are among this year's selections to the Alaska High School Hall of Fame.

Parnell plans to sign additional education money

Gov. Sean Parnell says he'll sign legislation providing more than $50 million in additional funding for K-12 education in Alaska.

Fairbanks teachers union reaches deal on contract

Public school teachers in Fairbanks will vote on a proposed contract deal with the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District.

NEH chairman to give UAF commencement address

The chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities has been tapped to give the commencement address this year at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Speak Native languages now, or let them go forever

The number of people in Southeast Alaska who can speak one of the three Native languages there -- Tlingit, Haida and Coastal Tsimshian -- has dropped to perhaps 250, reports Lance A. Twitchell (Xh'unei), an assistant professor of Native languages at the University of Alaska Southeast. In a Juneau Empire column, he calls for a new individual and institutional commitment to revitalizing the languages.

UAF plans Bethel research facility

Officials with the University of Alaska Fairbanks say they're about to open a new health research facility in Bethel.

Anchorage schools to get $11 million

The Anchorage School District expects to receive about $11 million from the legislative education funding package awaiting the governor's signature. The funds won't have any immediate effect on district-wide cuts set into motion last week, district spokeswoman Heidi Embley said Tuesday.

2012 ALASKA LEGISLATURE

Educators give mixed reviews on school funding increase

Education leaders are satisfied with but not exuberant about a deal brokered during the legislative session to provide a $90.7-million increase in K-12 school funding next year.

Anchorage schools to get $11 million

More legislative coverage

School district takes fresh look at graduation requirements

This week, a task force will present a proposal for revising graduation requirements at a series of public meetings. The idea is to make earning an Anchorage School District diploma rigorous and flexible, while recognizing that career education is increasingly valuable for high school graduates.