Roll it back to 1979: Alaskans were enjoying abundant wild fish and game, the economy was roaring, and educators were free to teach students in the best ways they knew how. Alaska was full of opportunity and ripe for Outside attention. We experienced a national celebration of interest in Alaska’s bountiful lands and waters through the recognition of new monuments under the Antiquities Act. At the same time, the U.S. Department of Education was making its debut on the other side of the country.
As Alston Chase so eloquently demonstrated in his classic "Playing God in Yellowstone," wild animals are not interested in human-drawn boundaries. The reality is, Alaskans aren’t too fond of them either.
Monumental efforts for the collective good often come at the expense of the individual. Alaskans know this story well. As D.C. ushered in protectionism with monument, park, and preserve designations, many who called this area home watched their livelihoods slip away. One could argue the newly minted Department of Education had a similar effect on Alaskans.
“We’re from the government, we’re here to help,” are words that make Alaskans recoil — if not laugh out loud. We are an independent bunch, or at least we used to be. Nowadays, we’re fighting for scraps out hunting and fishing, our economy is stale, and more students than ever are questioning the value of education — and in some cases, life itself. It’s time to fold up the umbrella, stand up for our children, and take our state back.
Trump’s executive order "Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities" offers us the chance of a lifetime. Whether our success comes through tribal compacting, charter, magnet, language immersion, apprenticeship programs, or something completely new, this is our opportunity to think outside the box to provide each student the best education possible — wherever they are.
From Title I changes including No Child Left Behind and Every Student Succeeds, to Biden’s attempt to hijack Title IX regulations, Alaska’s school administrators and educators have been forced to continually worry about the next layer of federal bureaucracy from D.C. Despite the best-laid plans, federal involvement in public education has not created a better system. It’s time for a new model. Parents, sharpen your pencils and hone your AI skills — because we’re about ready to launch this rocket.
The executive order clearly states the goal of returning “authority over education to the States and local communities while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.” Block grants are coming — Title grants first. Alaska received nearly $44 million in Title I funds and $7.6 million in Title II funds in FY24, along with additional grants in smaller amounts. Along with targeted federal grants such as Migrant Education, Indian Education, Carl Perkins, and Literacy grants, I am advocating for full state control over the issuance of these funds to best serve Alaska’s students.
If we want more dollars to reach the classroom, it is imperative that we break free from federal oversight and the time sink that comes with individually administered grants. I envision a new day where districts apply to DEED for these funds with one simple application — and at the end of the year, report back directly to the parents of the children they serve.
We have 52 school districts spread across 663,000 square miles. From the Northwest Arctic to Atka to Ketchikan, our communities and our people are diverse. Having local school boards allows for governance consistent with the priorities, cultures and needs of each community. At the end of the day, every family deserves access to a flexible and dynamic education system free of political bias. Different environments work for different children, highlighting the importance of excellent brick-and-mortar schools, open enrollment, and statewide correspondence programs.
This is a call to action. It’s up to each and every one of us — parents and informed community members — to encourage our legislators, school boards, and school leaders to think outside the box. Are you ready to upend and reimagine the future of education in Alaska? Our kids are literally begging us to do better. When’s the last time your elementary student said they loved reading on a Chromebook? When’s the last time your teenager said they loved school at all?
We have let the pursuit of technology and “personalized learning” upend traditional education — where the inspiration a teacher once conjured has been traded for a small flat screen and virtual confetti for a correct answer. Students themselves have said they feel like zombies in school. Even the less aggressive “blended learning” approach is not the most effective method. Following the latest digital curriculum with "fidelity" may lead to a good teacher evaluation, but even our educators feel constricted and frustrated, knowing how much more successful their students could be if they were allowed to tap into each student's interests and curiosities.
Imagine a course designed to inspire inquisitive minds through daily research, exploration, and hands-on projects. Combine that with constructive dialogue, debate, and presentations focused on comparing expectations versus real-world observations. Take it a step further: bring in resource professionals from the community, elders, and family or regional stories of survival.
Now duplicate that model across math, physics, art, music theory, history, cultural adaptations, chemistry, health care, construction, petroleum engineering, or fabrication. Along the way, weave in vocabulary, composition, creativity, collaboration, and communication. This is engaging education. This gets kids out of bed in the morning — and reignites educators.
The world is changing fast. Our kids are learning in ways we never imagined. On their own time, they seek and absorb new information at lightning speed through smartphones. They problem-solve and engage with issues far beyond their years. So why do we think they would enjoy sitting at a desk indoors all day, eating federally-mandated no-taste lunches, being told not to speak out of turn, forced to sit still for seven hours, staring at a screen about a topic they don't care about?
The memes are true: schools often punish what the real world rewards. That’s why some parents are walking away from brick-and-mortar schools. Some families thrive at homeschooling, while others try it out of desperation. Either way — collectively — we can do better.
Employers need competent, creative, and confident young adults. To get there, our students must have agency over their educational pathways, opportunities to demonstrate their learning, and assessments that produce relevant and actionable results. These are values being talked about in schools every day — but we need a groundswell of support for our educators to make it happen. Our system must adapt if we are to improve student engagement across Alaska.
Policies that will move the needle for Alaska’s youth will be developed locally, by those who know our children best. Start preparing — because the future of education in Alaska is upon us.
Some will wring their hands, stomp their feet and protest change. I would rather stand up straight, dig in and get to work.
Jordan Peterson was right when he said, “anxiety is always the feeling that accompanies change.” We need to teach our children that feeling anxious is not a disorder — but a jolt that forces us to face fight or flight. I choose to fight. Let’s take our schools back. Let’s let our teachers do what they do best: inspire and teach our youth, so we can come together in support of a great educational model here at home. Alaska’s future is at stake.
We are on the precipice of a new infusion of private investment, enthusiasm, and vision here in our state. We know that development and conservation can coexist. We know that exceptional education and elevating culture and history can coexist.
Working with the resources we have, let’s chart a new course and seize what’s coming down the pike.
I’m in agreement with the great IndyCar legend Bobby Unser: “Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.”
Alaska, we can do this.
