There is a perception that all public schools in Alaska are failing to effectively educate students because average test scores show Alaska students rank among the lowest in the nation. As a longtime observer and participant in Juneau schools from a parent/guardian perspective, I disagree.
My wife and I raised her kids who graduated from Juneau Douglas High School (JDHS) in 1988 and 1993, and a grandson who graduated in 2015. Over many years, we helped with numerous class field trips, volunteered in elementary school classrooms, and I served on the JDHS Site Council from 2012 to 2015. Two years ago, we became legal guardians for her youngest granddaughter and her half-brother (currently fifth and sixth grades).
Last year, I joined the Sayeik Gastineau Community School Site Council.
Our impression is that the Juneau School District (JSD) has dedicated, hardworking, professional and caring teachers, administrators, and support staff.
We also have been impressed with the quality of many JSD students and graduates. As recently as last year, many graduates continued their education at universities, and some were accepted to very prestigious schools. Those students received a quality education from our public school system despite tight budgets. We also know many recent graduates, with average scores in high school, who got respectable middle-class jobs.
How can these facts be reconciled with the poor Alaska average test scores compared to students in other states?
In my former public health career, we looked at statewide averages for rates of different types of diseases and injuries, and then analyzed data for causes, risk factors, clusters of people at greatest risk, etc. Demographic characteristics of people at risk could be rural vs urban, income level, occupation, age groups, and so on. This information helped us target interventions and to evaluate outcomes over time.
Instead of just publishing statewide test score averages giving the impression that all our schools are failing to educate students, the state should share data on types of students who are failing, and which schools are showing lower scores than others. If, for example, some rural schools are experiencing much lower scores than most urban schools, it would suggest the need for some targeted interventions in those areas.
Tighter budgets force school districts to increase the pupils-to-teacher ratio (PTR). Based on my wife’s observations as a classroom volunteer, and recent comments from teachers, classroom behaviors can become more challenging with larger numbers of students. This often results in teachers spending more time managing students’ behaviors and less time teaching.
Some kids have behavioral and/or learning disability issues. Many of these students have Independent Education Plans (IEPs) and paraprofessionals to assist classroom teachers. Tighter budgets can result in fewer special education resources, causing additional strains on teachers. This problem would be exacerbated if the Trump administration eliminates or seriously cuts federal education funds.
Tight budgets also reduce funds for special subject teachers such as music and art, limiting students’ options for broader educational experiences.
There are legitimate reasons to home school kids, but under current state law, home school students are not required to be tested to ensure they meet education standards. How can we know if all home school students are getting a quality education?
Others have written thoughtful analyses of the benefits and limitations of charter schools, but this is a viable option for only a small percentage of families.
Extremely tight budgets in recent years, failing miserably to keep up with inflation, have pushed our public schools closer to the breaking point. I strongly support the efforts of the Alaska Senate and House majorities to significantly increase the Base Student Allocation (BSA) funding for public schools and hope Gov. Dunleavy will support this critically needed investment in our students and the future of our state.
A good defined benefit teacher retirement system also could help recruit and retain good teachers throughout the state.
• Mark S. Johnson is currently retired and has lived in Juneau for 46 years.
