Education

Anchorage dropout rate puts School Board on the defensive

Anchorage School Board members found themselves on the defensive Friday, explaining to city Assembly members what they are doing to combat the dropout rate in Anchorage schools and why their efforts are failing.

Alaska's dropout rate double US average

Battling one of the worst dropout rates in the country, Alaska educators gathered for a third day on Saturday to brainstorm how to stop the epidemic of kids quitting school before earning their diplomas.

Test scores decline in Anchorage schools

Anchorage schools report card

Educators ponder state's dropout problem

Alaska has one of the worst dropout rates in the country, and reaching students who give up before achieving their diplomas is becoming a statewide education priority.

Anchorage schools report card

Overall, Anchorage School District students performed worse last year than the year before

Test scores decline in Anchorage schools

Reading, writing and math scores for Anchorage public school students showed nearly across-the-board declines last year, according to the district's annual report card.

Anchorage schools report card

Colony High teacher named state's best

Robert Williams, a Colony High School math teacher, was named 2009 Alaska teacher of the year on Sunday.

UA sets $849 million budget for 2010

The University of Alaska Board of Regents has approved a 2010 operating budget totaling nearly $850 million.

Students learn democratic participation through mock elections and discussions

Students in Anchorage tilted Democratic during a mock election of their own Tuesday, according to the School District.

28 school districts receive state waivers

Twenty-eight Alaska school districts received waivers from a state law requiring districts to budget at least 70 percent of operating funds for instruction.

Fate of charter school up to district officials

Fairbanks school officials are facing a tough financial decision over a charter school that focuses on Alaska Native and Alaska culture.

Native charter school meets enrollment goal with 156

Anchorage's Alaska Native Cultural Charter School, recently in jeopardy because of low enrollment numbers, has secured enough students to keep its doors open.

Video: New Alaska Native charter school

Enrollment increases by 262 students in Mat-Su

Enrollment in Mat-Su's public schools took an unexpected jump this year with an extra 262 students packing classrooms compared to a projected increase of just over 100 students.

Counting students a cruel test of reality

School officials across the state are in crunch time. For the 20 school days ending Friday, the number of kids enrolled will ultimately determine their piece of the state�s $1.1 billion in education funds.

Chester Valley school project goes over budget

The Anchorage School Board has tossed another $980,000 toward the reconstruction of the Chester Valley Elementary School.

UA decides to raise tuition for the fifth time since 2003

The University of Alaska board of regents decided at a meeting this week to again raise student tuition, according to a written statement from the University.

Dining hall eliminates food trays

The University of Alaska Fairbanks has eliminated trays from the dining hall in a move that could cut down on wasted food.

Local kids swap outdoors for classrooms

About 47,000 students surrendered to the end of summer and poured into Anchorage public schools Wednesday for the start of the new school year.

Test scores for public school students in Anchorage remain about the same as in 2007

The number of Anchorage public school kids passing proficiency tests stayed relatively static this past academic year -- pretty much the same as the previous year, according to scores released Friday.

Three more Service students plead guilty to reduced charges

Three more of the Service High School vandals pleaded guilty to reduced charges of criminal mischief in exchange for probation and community service at a hearing Friday.

Two Service students deal with prosecutors

Two of the Service High School students accused of vandalizing their school this spring pleaded guilty Friday to a reduced count of criminal mischief in a deal with prosecutors that spared them a trial on a felony charge.

Mat-Su teachers vote to accept 2-year contract

PALMER -- The teachers' union "unofficially" ratified a two-year agreement with the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, according to the union president.