Written by David Boyle
Alaska Education Commissioner Deena Bishop strongly criticized the U.S. Department of Education's attempts to control the state's K-12 education funding through federal “guidance.”
During the coronavirus pandemic, Congress appropriated money through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to help states fund K-12 education systems that could be hurt by declining state revenues.
For the first time, the federal government introduced an “equity preservation” provision that would allow states to reduce K-12 funding and prevent ARPA funds from being used for other needs.
Now, the U.S. Department of Education is using its “4,000-mile driver” to tighten its grip on Alaska's K-12 funding formula.
The U.S. Department of Education has implemented equity provisions through “guidance” rather than the usual mandatory regulations.
Essentially, if a state must cut education funding, it must not take a disproportionate burden off schools that serve large numbers of low-income or high-needs students.
Federal bureaucrats appear to be having a hard time understanding Alaska's unique K-12 funding formula. Because the cost of education is so high, schools in remote rural areas are unique among other states because they have an additional funding component.
Understandably, it's difficult for officials in Washington, D.C., to understand the remote nature of some of Alaska's schools and the complicated funding formula for K-12 schools.
Commissioner Bishop pointed out that our nation's education funding is constitutionally based, with equal funding between rural and urban school districts. She also said she did not reduce state spending per student to take advantage of federal funds. This is prohibited by the Fairness Guidelines.
In Alaska, the K-12 funding formula includes a “hold harmless” element. If a district loses more than 5% of its students in a given year, the district will still receive 75% of those students' funds. This is to allow for a “soft landing” for district finances.
This innocuous holding element worked during the pandemic.
During the pandemic, many schools closed and students transitioned to remote learning. Because of this, some students left brick-and-mortar schools and enrolled in correspondence schools in Alaska. Brick-and-mortar stores in the Kenai, Anchorage, Juneau and Fairbanks areas lost students and per-student funding. Perhaps this is why federal officials believe these districts will change in the short term and require about $30 million more from the state.
Meanwhile, the MatSu School District remained open and gained students during the pandemic. Apparently it wasn't suddenly changed.
“For fiscal years 2022 and 2023, USDOE has determined that Alaska has passed the disparities test and is implementing the Education Funding Equalization Program,” Bishop wrote in the letter. So why is the federal agency now saying Alaska is not getting its fair share of ARPA funds?
The U.S. Department of Guidance has released ARPA guidance for states in 2021, 2022, and also 2033. It has been extremely difficult for states to comply with the ever-changing guidance.
In Alaska, the amount of funding that should go to school districts was a big goal. USDOE announced in December 2023 that the state owes the Kenai, Juneau, Anchorage and Fairbanks school districts nearly $8 million. In March 2024, that amount increased to nearly $30 million.
It's unclear where the increase came from.
This ultimately comes down to the question of national sovereignty. States have full authority to establish and fund K-12 education systems. The federal government has no role in state funding for K-12 education.
National Conference of State Legislatures Austin Reed receives explanation this problem Submitted to the Senate Education Committee on April 3, 2024. “To my knowledge, the equity provision is the first time the federal government has been given direct interest in state education financing decisions,” he said.
This overreach by the federal government is deeply problematic, especially when it comes to funding the education of Alaska's children.
How far will the federal government extend its reach into Alaska's K12 funding?
Will the federal government eventually propose a universal K-12 funding formula for all states?
Will other states be subject to this overreach?
One reporter asked, “When will the Department of Education and Early Development ask Congress for an additional $30 million in funding?” He didn't seem to understand the concept of excessive federal interference in Alaska's K-12 system.
As a compromise, the Secretary would like USDOE to remove harmless hold and pupil transport factors from capital maintenance calculations. That would lower the amount and solve the problem, she says.
Commissioner Bishop would like the parties to meet to discuss this matter so that it can be resolved quickly.
She is open to resolving this issue while preserving Alaska's sovereignty over K-12 education.
David Boyle is Alaska's must-read education writer.
