Signed by Governor Michael Dunleavy

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes new programs through the Alaska department of education and early development.

Highlights:

• Establishes the following new programs administered through the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, including (Sec. 4):

• An early education program;

• A comprehensive reading intervention program;

• A school improvement reading program; and

• A virtual education consortium.

• Appropriates $3 million from the general budget to fund a 3 year period for development or improvement of district-wide early education programs (Sec. 14).

• Establishes the state goal of having every public school student reach grade level reading comprehension by the end of third grade (Sec. 25).

• Expands the state market for the student loan program to meet the financial aid needs of borrowers, amends eligibility requirements for the consolidation of loans, and removes specific loan limits while having no financial impact (Sec. 16).

• Expands who is eligible to apply for Alaska Refinancing Loans to include previous Alaska borrowers, graduates from the state’s high school and current Alaska residents, and removes loans and lifetime loan maximums in statute (Sec. 38).

• Authorizes the Student Loan Corporation to offer future student loan borrowers a loan program with immediate repayment requirements (Sec. 38).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes new programs through the Alaska department of education and early development.

Highlights:

• Establishes the following new programs administered through the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, including (Sec. 4):

• An early education program;

• A comprehensive reading intervention program;

• A school improvement reading program; and

• A virtual education consortium.

• Appropriates $3 million from the general budget to fund a 3 year period for development or improvement of district-wide early education programs (Sec. 14).

• Establishes the state goal of having every public school student reach grade level reading comprehension by the end of third grade (Sec. 25).

• Expands the state market for the student loan program to meet the financial aid needs of borrowers, amends eligibility requirements for the consolidation of loans, and removes specific loan limits while having no financial impact (Sec. 16).

• Expands who is eligible to apply for Alaska Refinancing Loans to include previous Alaska borrowers, graduates from the state’s high school and current Alaska residents, and removes loans and lifetime loan maximums in statute (Sec. 38).

• Authorizes the Student Loan Corporation to offer future student loan borrowers a loan program with immediate repayment requirements (Sec. 38).

Full Bill Text