Alaska

Alaska

“North to the future”

About Alaska

About Alaska

Alaska has a Department of Education, a State Board, and a State Commissioner. The State Board consists of 7 members appointed to 5-year terms.

Education law and Structure

Education law and structure

  • Education in State Constitution: Article VII: Sections 1-5

  • Education in State Statutes: Title 14: Chapters 3-60

  • State Board Members: 7 Members; Appointed; 5-year term

  • Education Authorities: Department of Education and Early Development; State Board; State Commissioner

Education Leadership

Education leadership

  • State Governor: Mike Dunleavy

  • State Commissioner of Education: Deena Bishop

  • Local school board members: The easiest way to contact your local school board members is to use an online search tool like XQ or simply look up your school district’s website online. There will almost always be a section of the district website listing the names and contact information of your local school board members. If their contact information is not listed, call your school’s office to request that information.

government building

Education Stats And Facts

  • The Alaska Department of Education reports that 130,394 students enrolled in the public school system for the 2020-2021 academic year. Anchorage had the highest concentration of students, with an attendance of 41,902. Other school options in Alaska include charter and correspondence schools. There is no limit to the number of charter schools allowed in the state.

    Alaska’s population is composed of roughly 15% Native Alaskan villagers (also called Inuit), whose children largely attend Alaskan public schools. Other demographics include Caucasian, Black, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Alaskans of mixed ethnic background, making Alaska a culturally rich area in spite of its relatively small population of under a million people.

Resources

Here we’ve collected links to additional resources so you can become better acquainted with your state system.