Our vision is an Alaska that continuously grows prosperity by maximizing individual opportunities and freedom
This op-ed was originally published in the Anchorage Daily News and the Mat-Su Frontiersman. APF appreciates Ms. Van Dyke’s advocacy, and looks forward to the positive outcomes of this reform. by Debra Van […]
Alaska Policy Forum was pleased to be invited to the bill signing ceremony for the Alaska Reads Act, which contains K–12 reforms for which APF has been advocating since 2013. In our 2013 […]
Click here to open a printable PDF of this report in a new tab. By Sarah Montalbano and Johan Soto Introduction The National Public Education Financial Survey, annually compiled by the National Center […]
Only one in four Alaska fourth grade students are reading on grade level. But there is a prescription for this problem. Debra Van Dyke was formerly principal at Fort Yukon School in the […]
It is a sad fact, but it is true: children who cannot read by nine rarely catch up to their peers. In 2019, only 25 percent of Alaskan fourth-graders were proficient in reading on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), and almost […]
This is a copy of the verbal testimony APF provided to the House Education Committee on May 8, 2021. Click here here to open a printable PDF of the testimony in a new […]
With one policy change, Alaska can improve learning, reduce poverty and ensure more students are on the path to success in career and college. Alaska invests huge sums into public K—12 education but […]
This is a copy of the verbal testimony APF provided to the Senate Education Committee on April 10, 2021. Click here to open a printable PDF of the testimony in a new tab. […]
Early in 2020, legislation was announced again to address the third-grade literacy crisis facing Alaskan children. Year after year, the problem has been discussed and legislation with viable solutions proposed—only to go nowhere. Finally, in […]
It is time for Alaska to consider a June 1 kindergarten birthdate rule. Most Alaskan students are not showing up for kindergarten fully ready for school. That is especially true for the very […]
Myth 1: ALL research indicates students should ALWAYS be socially promoted, even if they are far below expected proficiency in reading in 3rd grade. Reality: Over a dozen studies show the benefits of […]
On February 12, 2020, I gave the following testimony on SB 6, “An Act relating to early education programs provided by school districts; relating to funding for early education programs; relating to the […]
Please see below the press release for APF’s policy brief, “It’s Time for Alaska’s K–12 Advocacy Groups to Focus on Student Outcomes.” Read the report here. Click here to open the PDF in […]
Below is the PowerPoint presentation from APF Senior Education Research Fellow Bob Griffin‘s testimony at the Senate Education Committee hearing on February 4, 2020.
On January 15 at Turnagain Elementary, the Governor of Alaska, the Alaska Commissioner for Education, and State Senator Begich announced in a press conference new education legislation to address the 3rd grade literacy […]