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The Alaska Merit-Based Education & Workforce Reform Act (AK-MEWRA)

Alaska state companion to MEWRA. Builds on AS Title 14 Ch. 07 (correspondence-program allotments / homeschool), Alaska's charter framework (AS Sec. 14.03.250 et seq.), and TVEP (AS Sec. 23.15.820 et seq.).

THE ALASKA MERIT-BASED EDUCATION & WORKFORCE REFORM ACT (AK-MEWRA)

Vehicle: State passage. Alaska Legislature, regular session. Primary referral to House / Senate Education.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the “Alaska Merit-Based Education & Workforce Reform Act (AK-MEWRA).”

SECTION 2. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT

The Legislature finds that Alaska operates correspondence-program student allotments under AS Title 14 Ch. 07 with provisions for homeschooling and individualized learning plans; that Alaska’s charter-school framework operates under AS Sec. 14.03.250 et seq.; that the University of Alaska System operates under AS Title 14 Ch. 40; that the Technical and Vocational Education Program (“TVEP”) operates under AS Sec. 23.15.820 et seq.; and that Alaska publishes school- and district-performance data through the Department of Education and Early Development under AS Title 14. This Act extends these frameworks.

TITLE I — DEFINITIONS & COORDINATION WITH ALASKA LAW

Sec. 101. Definitions

  1. (a) “Alaska outcome-based school” means a provisional school authorized under Title II by the Alaska Outcome-Based School Authorizer (“AK-OBSA”).
  2. (b) “Correspondence Allotment” means a student allotment under AS Sec. 14.17.430 and related provisions.
  3. (c) “TVEP” means the Technical and Vocational Education Program under AS Sec. 23.15.820 et seq.

Sec. 102. Coordination with Existing Alaska Law

  1. (a) Consistent with:
  • AS Title 14 Ch. 07 (correspondence-program allotments).
  • AS Sec. 14.03.250 et seq. (charter schools).
  • AS Sec. 23.15.820 et seq. (TVEP).
  • AS Title 14 Ch. 40 (University of Alaska).

TITLE II — ALASKA OUTCOME-BASED SCHOOL AUTHORIZER

Sec. 201. Establishment of AK-OBSA

  1. (a) The State Board of Education and Early Development shall designate an Alaska Outcome-Based School Authorizer (“AK-OBSA”) under AS Sec. 14.03.250 et seq.
  2. (b) AK-OBSA shall authorize provisional schools without requiring regional-accreditor accreditation.

Sec. 202. Outcome-Based Authorization Standard

  1. (a) Authorization requires publication of outcome metrics under Sec. 401.
  2. (b) Facilities, safety, and background-check standards applicable under AS Title 14.
  3. (c) Four-year term, renewable on thresholds.

TITLE III — EDUCATION-FUND PORTABILITY

Sec. 301. Correspondence Allotment Extension

  1. (a) A Title II-authorized school is eligible as a receiving provider for Correspondence Allotments under AS Sec. 14.17.430.
  2. (b) The Department of Education and Early Development shall treat Title II-authorized schools equivalently.

Sec. 302. TVEP Disbursements

  1. (a) The Department of Labor and Workforce Development shall ensure that within 24 months, at least 50 percent of TVEP disbursements flow to providers publishing outcome data in the AK-OBSA Registry or Federal NLMF.
  2. (b) Consistent with AS Sec. 23.15.820 et seq. and 29 U.S.C. Sec. 3152.

TITLE IV — PUBLISHED OUTCOME METRICS

Sec. 401. Alaska Outcome-Metrics Registry

  1. (a) AK-OBSA shall publish completion rate; one- and three-year earnings medians; licensure/AKRMC/FRAC attainment.
  2. (b) Data sources: the Alaska Statewide Longitudinal Data System and DOLWD wage records, to the extent permitted by law.

Sec. 402. Coordination with the Federal NLMF

  1. (a) Crosswalked to the Federal NLMF.
  2. (b) Nothing authorizes disclosure of PII except as permitted under AS Sec. 40.25.100 et seq. (Public Records) and 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1232g (FERPA).

TITLE V — ENFORCEMENT & REMEDIES

Sec. 501. Non-Compliant Provider Remedies

  1. (a) Suspension of Correspondence Allotment participating status; AK-OBSA Registry suspension; administrative penalty up to $500,000 per willful violation.
  2. (b) No private right of action.

TITLE VI — IMPLEMENTATION & GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 601. Severability

If any provision is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect the remainder.

Sec. 602. Effective Date

This Act shall take effect July 1 of the year following enactment.

Canonical federal version: MEWRA. Other Alaska bills: AK-ACSA, AK-GT&P, AK-AI-Workforce.