The Alaska Senate unanimously passed a comprehensive reading and pre-kindergarten bill on Tuesday, but it faces an uncertain future in the House of Representatives.
The bill, estimated to cost roughly $128 million over the next decade, would work toward implementing universal, voluntary pre-kindergarten across Alaska, over several years. Existing programs could be improved, and school districts could compete for grants to establish new ones.
Sen. Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, has helped carry the Alaska Reads Act for over two years after unveiling an earlier version with Gov. Mike Dunleavy in 2020. He urged for it to pass on Tuesday.Begich tried to clear up what he called “misinformation” about the Alaska Reads Act. He said the pre-K programs would be voluntary for districts and there would be no “high-stakes” testing for kids. He said it’s about establishing a proven “philosophy” to improve reading outcomes.
“Governor Dunleavy has consistently said, in his veto messages on additional education funding in past years, that until a reading bill with accountability passes, he will be unsupportive of new increases in funding,” said Jeff Turner, a spokesperson for the governor’s office, on Tuesday.
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