Making Alaska More Competitive

Alaska consistently ranks at the bottom in educational performance indicators. Our “student pipeline” is the leakiest in the U.S: For every 50 ninth graders, 31 graduate from high school; 14 go to college; nine return for their sophomore year; and only three receive a degree within six years. This leaky pipeline produces Alaska citizens who, in large numbers, are foregoing the collective and individual rewards of postsecondary education. This report offers five recommendations as a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges faced by Alaska’s education system.