All About Charter Schools in Alaska: Charter Legislation and Law, Charter School Numbers, Enrollment and Academic Achievement, and Charter School Resources and Support Organization Contacts, as well as Alaska Department of Education Charter School Offices

Charter Schools in Alaska

Law:   Passed in 1995

Rank:   7th Weakest of the nation's 40 charter laws

CER Grade:   D

Schools:   15

Students:   2,682

POLITICS:

MICROMANAGEMENT: Alaska's law stipulates that the State Department of Education is the ultimate approving body for charter schools in the state, and the DOE has used that role to micro-control charter applicants, requiring them to negotiate point by point the most basic functions and procedures (including budgeting, program changes and even personnel or service contracts) -- that charters in states with stronger laws routinely and successfully determine on their own. CER Charter Law Rankings, April 2000

RESOURCES:

SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS:

Alaska Charter School Association
260 S. Cobb Street
Palmer, AK 99645

Contact: Barbara Gerard
Telephone: (907) 746-2358
Fax: (907) 746-2368
Email: bgerald@msb.mat-su.k12.ak.us

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION:

Alaska Department of Education
801 West 10th Street
Juneau, AK 99801-1894

Contact: Marjorie Menzi , Charter School Liaison
Tel: 907-465-8720

Website: http://www.educ.state.ak.us/Alaskan_Schools/charter/