70% of Alaska’s public school students fail reading and math
By Sarah Montalbano – Alaska Policy Forum INTRODUCTION Results from Alaska’s new statewide standardized assessment, the Alaska System of Academic Readiness (AK STAR), offer a glimpse of how Alaska’s students are doing post-pandemic.
School Board silences Anchorage dad for objecting to anal sex book in student libraries
The Anchorage School District has no business giving minor children books that tell them how to have anal sex and create their own online porn. This is the message that concerned father and local educational advocate, Jay McDonald, tried to relay to the
OPINION: Ways Alaska can address its ongoing workforce crisis
By Sarah Montalbano – Alaska Policy Forum People of all ages are unprepared for the evolving job market, but Alaska can adopt policies to help learners prepare for good careers and meet the needs of the state’s economy. Alaska businesses are
Alaska in 2023: Trends, predictions and prescriptions
Editor’s note: This article is adapted from a talk given for the Valley Republican Women of Alaska’s Jan. 19 meeting in Wasilla. I want to address a few major trends and developments in Alaska as they relate to our population, education and political
Glen Biegel’s tribute to Dan Fagan’s ‘superhuman’ radio career
Editor’s note: Dan Fagan, a longtime conservative radio talk show host in Alaska, retired from his 20-year on-air career last Thursday. Dan Fagan. What can I say? What would you like to know about my many years with Dan as a part of my life? A couple of
Why neo-Marxism embodies ideas of white privilege, systemic racism & collective justice
In the early 1980s, I attended a graduate school at Brown University, where only two Soviet-born and raised students attended the time. I was from Kiev and Boris from Odessa, both cities of the former Soviet Union. I was a graduate student in the Anthropology
Alaska students are a year behind U.S. average in reading, math
By Sarah Montalbano – Alaska Policy Forum Introduction Late October brought the release of the 2022 results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card. The NAEP is a nationwide assessment
Anchorage School Board Member: District must be held accountable, before seeking more money
The Anchorage School District, which has been mired in disastrous student educational outcomes over the past several years, should not ask state lawmakers for increased state funding without first being willing to demonstrate accountability for the millions
Dunleavy taps Health Commissioner Adam Crum to lead Dept. of Revenue
Gov. Mike Dunleavy has appointed Adam Crum to be the new commissioner of Alaska’s Department of Revenue. Crum takes over the department after serving as commissioner of health for the past four years. “Commissioner Crum demonstrated to
Anchorage looks to close 6 schools amid enrollment loss & $68M budget gap
Facing dwindling birth rates, declining student enrollment and a massive $68 million budget gap this year, the Anchorage School District is looking at shuttering six elementary schools. Schools on the chopping block are Wonder Park, Northwood, Abbot Loop,
The Alaska Watchman aims to raise awareness of key issues affecting Alaskans. Coming from a broadly Judeo-Christian perspective, we are committed to the highest standards of journalism and ethical reporting.
Our reports look to inform and equip Alaskans to effectively engage the culture for the common good. Please keep your comments respectful.
NEWS TIPS
SUPPORT
© Copyright 2026 - Alaska Watchman • All Rights Reserved