Bill > HB57

This bill addresses multiple aspects of education in Alaska, with key provisions focused on classroom sizes, charter schools, student transportation, and funding. The bill establishes a maximum classroom size policy requiring school districts to maintain an average of 23 students per class for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and 30 students per class for grades seven through twelve, with some course exceptions. It modifies charter school application and contract procedures, allowing applications to be submitted at any time and shortening appeal response times. The legislation increases the base student allocation from $5,960 to $6,660, slightly raises the secondary school vocational and technical instruction funding factor, and introduces reading proficiency incentive grants of at least $450 per student for kindergarten through sixth-grade students demonstrating reading improvement. Additionally, the bill mandates that school districts develop policies regulating wireless telecommunications device use during school hours and establishes a Task Force on Education Funding to analyze and recommend improvements to public education funding, accountability, and related policies. The bill also requires the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to gather long-term data on high school graduating classes' career and educational progress. Notably, some provisions are contingent on the passage of another bill related to taxation of highly digitized businesses, with specific implementation dates ranging from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=HB57