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 butRead More
Testimony on SB 111 – Read By 9
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.Read More
Read by Nine or Fall Behind: Alaska’s Students Are Set up to Fail
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, inRead More
Alaska Should Consider Changing Its Kindergarten-Start Birthdate Policy
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 veryRead More
Top 10 Myths and Misconceptions Surrounding The Alaska Reads Act
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 ofRead More
Testimony on SB6 – Early Literacy Education
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 theRead More