Education

in committee · Alaska · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 22: An Act establishing a financial literacy education program for public schools; and providing for an effective date.

SB 22 requires Alaska public school districts to establish a financial literacy education program for students in grades 9-12, covering 15 specific topics like budgeting, debt management, taxes, insurance, and retirement planning. The program must be approved by the state education department and completed for high school graduation, with limited exceptions for students transferring after grade 10. It mandates that districts use state-curated open educational resources and ensures the curriculum includes practical financial skills relevant to students' lives. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to students graduating on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates financial literacy curriculum for grades 9-12 as graduation requirement, enhancing student financial education through state-approved programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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signed · Alaska · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 23: An Act relating to civics education, civics assessments, and secondary school graduation requirements; and providing for an effective date.

SB 23 requires Alaska public high schools to implement a standardized civics curriculum covering U.S. and Alaska government, founding documents, citizenship rights, and global governance systems. Students must complete a semester-long civics course and pass two assessments: a 100-question test based on the U.S. citizenship exam and a civics project-based assessment to earn a high school diploma. The bill directly affects all Alaska public high school students, with exemptions for transfers after 10th grade, students with prior history credits, or those with disability waivers. Schools must document passing scores on transcripts and may allow retakes for the assessment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates standardized civics curriculum and assessments for graduation, strengthening K-12 curriculum requirements and educational standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Testing & Assessment

in committee · Alaska · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SB 82: An Act relating to education; relating to public school attendance; relating to mobile communication devices in schools; relating to reading proficiency incentive grants; relating to authorization of charter schools; relating to transportation of students; relating to school bond debt reimbursement; relating to funding and reporting by Alaska technical and vocational education programs; authorizing lump sum payments for certain teachers as retention and recruitment incentives; and providing for an effective date.

SB 82 revises Alaska's public school attendance policies to expand parental school choice within district capacity limits, requiring school districts to report enrollment data and denial reasons for student applications. It mandates school districts to adopt mobile device policies prohibiting student personal phones during school hours except in emergencies, for educational use with permission, health needs, or as part of an individualized education plan. The bill also creates a $450 incentive grant for school districts for each kindergarten through third-grade student who meets or improves on grade-level reading skills via statewide assessments. These changes directly affect parents, school districts, and students in Alaska's public education system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates $450 teacher retention grants and funds vocational education programs, directly advancing teacher support and educational access through new incentives and funding.92% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyMandates prohibition of student personal phones during school hours, restricting technology access in educational settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education School Choice

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in committee · Alaska · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 93: An Act relating to district-wide early education programs; and providing for an effective date.

SB 93 modifies how students in Alaska school districts' approved early education programs are counted for funding purposes. It changes the calculation to count each such student as "one-half" of a full-time equivalent student (previously specified with brackets), directly affecting school districts offering these programs. The bill repeals outdated funding calculation sections in state law (AS 14.03.120(h), 14.03.410, etc.) to implement this change. The new funding method takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces funding for early education programs by changing student count from full to half-equivalent, directly decreasing state appropriations for school districts.92% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill changes student count for funding from full to half-EFT, reducing per-student allocation and defunding early education programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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in committee · Alaska · House May 7, 2025

HB 59: An Act relating to demonstration state-tribal education compacts; relating to demonstration state-tribal education compact schools; and providing for an effective date.

HB 59 establishes a framework for Alaska to create "demonstration state-tribal education compacts" with federally recognized tribes, allowing tribes to operate schools under these agreements. The bill requires compacts to include specific terms like a 5-year term, roles for both parties, funding rules, and mandatory participation in state retirement systems, while exempting these schools from most state education laws. However, these schools must still follow key state requirements, such as attendance rules (AS 14.03.016-14.03.050), safety protocols (AS 14.33.010-14.33.250), and annual audits (AS 14.14.050). The compacts must be finalized by June 30, 2028, and the legislature intends to reevaluate them after seven years.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates framework for tribal schools under compacts, expanding educational access for Alaska Native communities while maintaining key state requirements.85% confidence

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passed · Alaska · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SB 6: An Act requiring education in the history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

This bill requires all Alaska public school districts to create and implement K-12 educational programs approved by the state department. The programs must include instruction on the history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S., as well as materials showcasing their cultural and economic diversity. School districts must develop these programs by the specified timeline, with the state department overseeing approval. The bill directly affects every K-12 student and school district in Alaska.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of AAPI history in K-12 curriculum, expanding educational content and promoting cultural diversity in schools per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Alaska · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 105: An Act relating to mental health education.

HB 105 requires Alaska public schools (K-12) to include mental health education in health curricula and mandates that schools provide parents with at least two weeks' notice before offering mental health instruction to their children. It directs the state Board of Education to develop age-appropriate mental health education guidelines in collaboration with health departments, tribal organizations, and mental health experts. The bill also expands existing health education requirements to explicitly include mental health, alongside topics like personal safety and substance abuse prevention. School districts must adopt policies allowing parents to withdraw children from mental health instruction or assessments, similar to existing provisions for other sensitive topics.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mental health education in K-12 curricula, expands health education requirements, and directs development of age-appropriate guidelines with experts.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health education in school curricula, advancing preventive mental health services as part of healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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vetoed · Alaska · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 69: An Act relating to the base student allocation; and providing for an effective date.

HB 69 would increase Alaska's base student allocation from $5,960 to $6,960 per student for public school funding. This change directly affects all Alaska public school districts by raising the state's per-pupil funding amount. The bill specifies that the new rate would take effect on July 1, 2025. The legislation is a straightforward funding adjustment with no additional provisions or mechanisms beyond the dollar amount change. (Note: The bill was vetoed by the governor on April 22, 2025, and the veto was sustained.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases per-pupil funding for public schools from $5,960 to $6,960, directly advancing state education spending under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases per-student funding from $5,960 to $6,960, directly boosting public school resources. No opposing provisions or ambiguity in funding intent.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding

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