State & National Connections

This collection of state and national resources provides school board members, educators, and advocates with key policy updates, legislative tools, and funding information. It offers links to help navigate Alaska’s education advocacy landscape and stay connected to efforts that strengthen public education statewide and nationally.

These national resources include tools to track legislation and  policy developments, access legal updates, and connect with Alaska’s congressional delegation.

• National School Boards Association – National Connection
  Offers national-level insights, legal updates, and strategic resources for school board members through NSBA’s “National Connection” membership program. 
• Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
  Provides an overview of the federal law governing K-12 education, including provisions for funding, accountability, and student support.
• NSBA Federal Advocacy
  Tracks key national legislation, education priorities, and lobbying efforts impacting public education.
• Congressional Delegation – Alaska.gov
  Contact information and profiles for Alaska’s U.S. Senators and Representative in Congress.
• Education Bills – GovTrack
  Browse current and past federal education-related bills with tracking tools and legislative summaries.
• Secure Rural Schools Program
  Provides federal support to rural school districts located near national forest lands, helping to offset tax revenue losses.

This section offers resources for understanding Alaska’s K-12 education system, including how it’s funded, who sets policy, and where to track state legislation and reform initiatives.

• Citizen’s Guide to K-12 Funding in Alaska
  A Legislative Finance Division guide explaining how Alaska’s public education system is funded.
• Alaska State Legislature
  Official site for tracking state legislation, accessing committee information, and contacting legislators.
• Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED)
  Oversees public education across Alaska, including academic standards, assessments, and statewide initiatives.
• State Board of Education
  Sets statewide education policy and reviews regulations proposed by the Department of Education.
• Office of the Governor – Education Reform
  Highlights the Governor’s education priorities, including initiatives on literacy, innovation, and system accountability.

This section features key advocacy partners working to strengthen Alaska’s public education system through policy leadership, coalition building, and support for students, educators, and communities.

• Alaska Association of School Business Officials (ALASBO)
  Supports school business professionals with training, advocacy, and financial best practices.
• Alaska Superintendents Association (ASA)
  A leadership voice for Alaska’s superintendents, offering legislative updates, policy positions, and advocacy materials.
• Alaska Children’s Trust
  Works to prevent child abuse and neglect by investing in programs that strengthen Alaska families and communities.
• Alaska Council of School Administrators (ACSA)
  Coordinates advocacy among school administrators, principals, and business officials to support public education.
• Alaska AFL-CIO
  Represents Alaska’s organized labor and supports public education as a cornerstone of a strong workforce.
• Alaska Municipal League (AML)
  Provides policy research and legislative updates affecting Alaska’s municipalities, including education funding and infrastructure.
• Alaska Public Employees Association (APEA)
  Advocates for the rights of public employees, including education professionals.
• Coalition for Education Equity (CEE)
  Advocates for equitable education opportunities for all Alaska students, especially in rural and underfunded areas.
• Great Alaska Schools
  A grassroots coalition advocating for strong public education and sustainable funding.
• National Education Association – Alaska (NEA-Alaska)
  The state’s largest union representing educators and public school employees, focused on advocacy, policy, and member support.