By Anthony White, Computer Science & Digital Literacy Content Specialist, Alaska Department of Education & Early Development
The world our students will enter after graduation looks very different from the one in which most of us grew up. Artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, data science, remote operations, and fields we cannot yet name are reshaping industries across Alaska and beyond. AI alone is already transforming how we work, communicate, and solve problems, and students who understand how these tools function will be better positioned to use them responsibly and effectively. Whether a student plans to work on a fishing vessel, manage a health clinic in rural Alaska, or launch a startup in Anchorage, technology skills will be part of the job.
The Alaska Department of Education & Early Development’s mission is simple and direct: an excellent education for every student every day. Achieving that mission today means ensuring students have access to the knowledge and skills that prepare them not only for the careers available right now, but for the opportunities emerging on the horizon.
What DEED Provides
In 2019, the State Board of Education & Early Development adopted the Alaska Computer Science and Digital Literacy Standards, bringing Alaska in line with a nationwide movement to integrate computational thinking, digital citizenship, and technology fluency into K–12 education. These standards are not about turning every student into a software engineer. They are about giving every young Alaskan the foundational skills to thrive in an increasingly connected world.
DEED supports districts in implementing these standards by providing curriculum guidance, professional development resources, and direct technical assistance. The department’s Computer Science, Digital Citizenship, and Artificial Intelligence webpages offer educators and administrators a centralized starting point for standards information, curriculum resources, career pathway models, and connections to national programs such as AP Computer Science.
In addition, the department developed Alaska’s Strategic Framework: Artificial Intelligence for K-12, providing comprehensive guidance on the responsible integration of AI tools in schools. The framework emphasizes human-centered use, fair access, transparency, and cultural responsiveness, helping districts navigate this rapidly evolving landscape with confidence.
Partners Across the State
No single agency can do this work alone. Alaska benefits from a strong network of organizations dedicated to supporting educators and students in technology education.
The Alaska Council of School Administrators (ACSA), through its Alaska Staff Development Network (ASDN), provides professional development opportunities in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, helping teachers build confidence and competence in bringing these tools into the classroom. ACSA’s advocacy work also ensures that technology education remains part of the broader conversation about Alaska’s education priorities.
The Alaska Society for Technology in Education (ASTE) connects educators, administrators, and technology leaders statewide. ASTE’s mission — to promote access to technology, connectivity to information resources, and technology integration for all Alaskan learners — complements the department’s standards implementation work. With boots-on-the-ground experience from educators who are actively using technology in the classroom, and strong partnerships with organizations such as the Alaska Library Association, the Alaska Association of Career and Technical Education, ASTE is helping Alaska educators stay current with emerging and established technologies in education.
Programs such as UAF’s T3 Alaska, UAA Summer Engineering Academy, and ANSEP Acceleration Academy are working to connect students directly to high-demand technical careers, while industry partners across the state are beginning to articulate the technology skills they need in tomorrow’s workforce. These collaborations are essential: when educators, employers, and policymakers share a common understanding of what students need, programs become stronger and more relevant.
Aligned to Alaska’s Education Goals
This work is guided by the State Board of Education’s vision that all students can succeed in their education and work, shape worthwhile and satisfying lives for themselves, and be effective in improving the quality of the world around them. It is also aligned with Alaska’s Education Challenge, which established strategic priorities aimed at improving public education for every student in the state, including increasing prior-to-graduation opportunities and ensuring career readiness.
Technology education is not separate from these goals. It is woven into them. A student who understands how data is collected and used is better prepared for civic life. A student who can think computationally is better equipped to solve problems in any field. A student who has explored career pathways in technology has more options available after graduation.
An Invitation
Alaska is at a pivotal moment. Broadband expansion is reaching more communities. Remote work opportunities are growing. Industries are evolving. Now is the time for school boards, districts, educators, and community partners to come together and strengthen technology education across the state.
If your district is exploring ways to expand computer science offerings, integrate digital literacy into existing courses, or connect students to career and technical education pathways, the department is here to help. Whether it is identifying curriculum resources, connecting with professional development providers, or simply having a conversation about what is possible, I welcome the opportunity to collaborate.
Please reach out to me at anthony.white@alaska.gov or visit education.alaska.gov/computer-science to learn more. Together, we can ensure that every Alaska student is prepared for the future, even the parts we cannot yet predict.
