Anchorage School District officials defend CTE concentrator goal as budget cuts loom

Anchorage School District administrators told the school board on Tuesday that increasing Career & Technical Education (CTE) concentrators is central to the district’s strategy for reaching a 90% graduation rate by June 2028, but board members warned that projected FY27 staffing reductions could limit students’ access to those courses.

Devon Roberts, director of CTE, told the board the district’s reporting focuses on students enrolled at the eight comprehensive high schools and that the data show most concentrators come from those schools. "Nearly 74% of students who reach concentrator status attend one of the comprehensive high schools," Roberts said, and he noted that the district has started a few pathways at Stellar and Polaris.

Roberts and administration staff said concentrator completion is strongly correlated with postsecondary success: the district’s concentrator data show higher graduation rates for students who complete the defined concentrator coursework. Roberts gave district examples, saying about two percent of concentrators are full‑time at King Tech and that, in one recent cohort, 66 of 67 King full‑time graduates reached concentrator status.

Board members asked detailed questions about who counts in the concentrator denominator and whether the metric leaves some groups behind. "It feels like a lot of spaghetti just thrown at me," Member Lessons said while seeking clarity on how part‑time King Tech students, charter students and homeschool students are counted. Member Bellamy asked whether students with disabilities and English learners have equitable access to CTE; administration replied that most introductory CTE courses have no prerequisites and that the district can provide subgroup data showing participation and concentrator attainment by those student groups.

Members also raised concern that FY27 budget changes — notably an increase in the pupil‑teacher ratio (PTR) that reduces FTE and course sections — will constrain CTE offerings. Administration said fewer sections and fewer support roles at high schools (for example, academy coaches) could make it harder to preserve every program. "The decrease in FTE is going to inevitably have a negative impact on what is available," one administrator said, noting the district is using master‑schedule alignment and prioritizing vertically aligned programs (middle‑to‑high school pathways) where possible.

Administrators described several strategies to blunt the impact of cuts: expanding access and awareness through a ninth‑grade college and career exploration and personal finance course; maintaining course supply budgets with Carl Perkins funds (Perkins is used for supplies and program access, not to fund full‑time certificated positions); and working with community partners and grant teams. The district highlighted partnerships that sponsor experiences or internships, citing Alaska Airlines’ aviation day, internship/external partnerships with construction firms and the National Security Agency, and a potential transportation offer from Holland America Princess that would require further approvals.

District staff said they maintain an internal dashboard that tracks concentrator status for grades 9–12 and that they can report on how many students are partway toward concentrator status, although deeper, year‑over‑year cross‑cluster analyses would require more resources.

Board members pressed on whether next year’s adjusted interim target (about 68% concentrator attainment) is realistic under current constraints. Administration cautioned against prematurely lowering the board’s ambitious goals, saying concentrator completion is associated with notably higher graduation rates and that guardrails and interim metrics should be a part of a broader conversation at a future retreat or work session.

Before moving to other items, the board agreed to review the guardrail report and send follow‑up questions. The board then voted by unanimous consent to adjourn to executive session for student hearings, legal updates, negotiations and contracts at 4:48 p.m.