The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District to receive $1 million math education grant

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District (FNSBSD) will receive a $1 million grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).

The Fairbanks school district was one of 45 military-connected educational facilities across the U.S. to receive the grant.

The grant was awarded to the FNSBSD after they submitted a proposal to increase Algebra scores and success in the classroom. The DoDEA selected the Fairbanks school district in part due to the high number of military families in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. According to a U.S. Army press release, 21 percent of children in the borough are military-connected.

The grant for the FNSBSD will focus on boosting math education at nine secondary schools in the district that have greater than 10% military connected-student enrollment.

The plan recognizes the importance of establishing strong Algebra skills for all students. The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions to classroom learning and many military students often face a lack of consistency in education when being transferred to different states.

The grant will benefit all students in the district who are taking Algebra courses, according to Karen Melin, FNSBSD Chief School Administrator. She said, “We have long seen how our partnership with DoDEA has brought success for our military-connected students. This partnership is another amazing opportunity we have to join forces and support students in reaching high school graduation. By supporting educators to perfect their craft in Algebra instruction, we will see success for the students currently taking these courses and reap the benefit for generations to come.”

Melin said she believes that by focusing the grant on professional development, all students will be able to benefit.

To learn more about DoDEA grant visit the Department of Defense Education Activity website.