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Alaska

State of Alaska

Alaska is the largest geographic state in the union, at more than 570,000 square miles, but one of the least populated, with only 1.3 people per square mile. The state has approximately 131,000 students enrolled in 521 public elementary and secondary schools in 53 districts. Anchorage is the second biggest district in the state and one of the most diverse in the entire Northwest region, with almost 49,000 students, who speak more than 90 languages. The state also serves the highest number of English learner students in the region at nearly 12 percent. Nearly a quarter (24 percent) of the state's public school student population is Alaska Native or American Indian, and 28 percent come from other racial/ethnic minority groups, making Alaska the only minority-majority state in the region.

Priority issues for our partners in Alaska:

  • Accountability and system improvement
  • Appropriate supports for English learner students
  • Educational equity
  • Equitable start in early learning
  • Supply and development of effective educators