Juneau, Alaska (KINY) – Earlier this month, the Program on Education Policy and Governance (PEPG) at Harvard released the first-ever state ranking of charter student performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). This report, titled The Nation’s Charter Report Card, identifies Alaska, Colorado, and Massachusetts as frontrunners.
According to the report, Alaska leads the pack in both math and reading, scoring 32.1 percent of a standard deviation higher than the national charter school average. According to PEPG, a 32% standard deviation above the average national charter score equates to more than one full year of learning.
Charter schools were established to provide alternatives to traditional public schools while maintaining a commitment to public education. The desired outcomes of charter schools include innovation and flexibility, choice and parental involvement, a diversity in educational models, community engagement and collaboration, and increased student achievement.
“I congratulate the students, parents, teachers, and staff of Alaska’s Charter schools in their success. Your learning performance is a testament to your commitment to excellence,” said Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) Commissioner Dr. Deena Bishop.
“This report shows the positive influence of parental involvement and choice in education,” said Governor Michael Dunleavy. “By empowering parents to actively participate in the decision-making process regarding their children’s education, Alaska’s charter schools have created a unique environment conducive to academic success.”