Are Alaska teacher salaries competitive?
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Research on school finance, the teacher workforce, and related topics in Alaska
This is a list of recent publications and reports by CAEPR and ISER focused on school finance, teacher workforce issues (recruitment, retention, and turnover),and related topics. This represents only a small portion […]
Helen and Edward Gorsuch Public Policy Forum on Public Education Funding in AK with Video
On Thursday, December 7th, ISER hosted a Helen and Edward Gorsuch Public Policy Forum titled “Public Education Funding in Alaska: What we know, what we don’t and how other states do it”. The event, moderated by Larry Persily, included presentations by ISER […]
Alaska spending on K-12 education falls below US average
This 2022 update to a 2019 report analyzes Alaska’s per-pupil spending compared to that of other U.S. states, using 2019 and 2017 figures respectively. After adjusting for Alaska’s higher living costs, and accounting for differing per-pupil spending costs across the state, the figures show that Alaska’s 2019 per student spending was only 93% of the national average, compared to 98% in 2017. Read more about > Alaska spending on K-12 education falls below US average
Alaska is in a perfect storm for teacher turnover
"We are in a perfect storm where we don't have enough teachers," said Dayna DeFeo, director of the Center for Alaska Education Policy Research (CAEPR). DeFeo and ISER director Diane Hirshberg discussed CAEPR's research on teacher turnover issues in rural Alaska with Steve Heimel, of KYUK Bethel. Read more about > Alaska is in a perfect storm for teacher turnover
Improving rural Alaska students’ transition to postsecondary institutions
New research from ISER’s Trang Tran and Dayna DeFeo examined how relationships influence rural Alaska students’ transitions from home communities to postsecondary institutions. Their analysis identified characteristics of the transition processes that seem particular to rural students—in navigating urban places and cultural norms, seeking institutional supports, advocating for self, and forming new social relationships. In all of these experiences, rural identities and community-oriented values emerged as a guiding force for students’ goal-setting, decision-making, interactions, and adjustment. Read more about > Improving rural Alaska students’ transition to postsecondary institutions
New NSF grant to enhance understanding of effective compensation systems for STEM teacher retention
A team of researchers at UAA and UAF led by Dr. Dayna DeFeo will collaborate on a four-year project funded by the National Science Foundation to learn more about factors that contribute to retention of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) teachers in high-need schools. The project, “Sufficient COmpensation for Retention and Equity” (SCORE), will examine how compensation, working conditions and other factors encourage teachers to stay. Read more about > New NSF grant to enhance understanding of effective compensation systems for STEM teacher retention
UAA and CITC collaborate on guidelines for culturally-responsive practices for early childhood educators
"Guidelines for Culturally-Responsive Reflective Practice in Birth – Five Settings" is a new publication developed to help early childhood educators reflect on culturally-responsive practices in order to identify strengths and areas for continuous improvement. They were developed collaboratively between Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC) and faculty from UAA’s Department of Psychology and Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) as a component of the “Improving Childcare Outcomes Research” project. Read more about > UAA and CITC collaborate on guidelines for culturally-responsive practices for early childhood educators
New report analyzes what Alaska invests in its school facilities
A new analysis of Alaska’s K-12 Capital Spending shows that the state is not spending what is needed to maintain, renovate, and renew its K-12 school buildings. The study, authored by ISER research professor Bob Loeffler, reviews historical K-12 capital spending from state and local sources from Fiscal Year 2000 through Fiscal Year 2020. It details the funding sources Alaska uses for large school maintenance, renovation, and construction projects for both municipal and rural areas. The study illustrates the decline in spending after the current budget crisis hit in 2014, and shows how Alaska’s K-12 capital spending falls short of recommended industry guidelines. Read more about > New report analyzes what Alaska invests in its school facilities
NSF Awards Gerken, DeFeo with grant to study role of science labs
The National Science Foundation has awarded Dr. Sarah Gerken and Dr. Dayna DeFeo a three-year grant to research the role of the introductory biology lab in the general education curriculum. The new project, Identifying the Learning Objectives of Biology Laboratories in the General Education Curriculum and Exploring Gaps Between Objectives and Practice (NSF # 2044101) was awarded through the Division of Undergraduate Education’s Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) program. Read more about > NSF Awards Gerken, DeFeo with grant to study role of science labs