As a student wanting to attend the elementary education program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the ongoing issues on teacher’s benefits and budget cuts discourages attendance in teacher programs. Many students who are in Alaska’s universities wonder if their program is going to be cut after the closing of the School of Education at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Alaska universities’ overall enrollment dropped by 11% in the past year. High schoolers are discouraged to attend Alaska’s universities due to their unstable programs. Students are having to ask why should they study at Alaska’s universities and why they should become a teacher in Alaska.
Teachers in Alaska might have the eighth highest rank when it comes to pay compared to the Lower 48, but with its poor benefits, low student academic scores and high turnover rate, many teachers are moving out of Alaska, and students are not attending Alaska’s universities.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget cut proposal has immense implications for graduating students remaining in Alaska to teach. Recalling Dunleavy’s budget cuts means putting income back into Alaska’s schools, and students desiring to attend Alaska’s universities and teach in Alaska. Let’s recall Dunleavy.
— Talisha Daly
Anchorage
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