(JUNEAU) - The Alaska State Senate unanimously approved a resolution in support of Alaska's remote rural schools by a vote of 20 to zero on Wednesday. Sponsored by the House Special Committee on Education, House Joint Resolution 13 requests the federal government to consider Alaska's unique rural school districts and the difficulty of implementing the "No Child Left Behind" Act in some of those areas. The House approved HJR 13 last month.

"The intention behind No Child Left Behind is a decent one," House Education Chair Rep. Carl Gatto (R-Palmer) said. "However, Alaska's large rural areas are home to many students scattered over a large area, and NCLB needs to provide for that type of situation."

HJR 13 requests the United States Department of Education to consider NCLB implementation strategies recommended by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. These strategies address NCLB requirements for qualified teachers, qualified paraprofessionals, supplemental services, and English language assessment. NCLB calls for schools to improve their performance each year to continue to receive federal funding. Those schools that do not meet that requirement face sanctions. Gatto said some requirements, such as those that address additional training for teachers, could be difficult for remote rural schools to meet.

"Alaska has an environment like none other in the country," Gatto said. "An entire K-12 school can have one teacher. The Department of Education must now consider a resolution by both houses of the Alaska Legislature that the department re-examine how applicable the current NCLB rules are to this state."

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04-23-03: House Special Committee on Education Chair Representative Carl Gatto explains why Alaska needs to ask the U.S. Department of Education for special considerations on the "No Child Left Behind" Act.

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