Alaska Recognized for Innovation in Education
Sen. Con Bunde to accept award on State’s behalf

Juneau - The State of Alaska has been selected to receive the 2007 Frank Newman Award for State Innovation for demonstrated excellence in shaping education policy.

“I will be honored to accept this award on behalf of the State of Alaska from Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius at the National Forum on Education Policy in Philadelphia in July,” said Sen. Con Bunde, R-Anchorage. “I’m extremely pleased Alaska is being recognized for addressing the many challenges we have with education.”

The Education Commission of the States (ECS) created the award in 2005 in honor of the late Frank Newman, who served as ECS president for 14 years. Criteria for the award include: policies that are bold, courageous and nonpartisan, including new policies with the potential for large-scale impact, existing policies with evidence of continued support, and education improvement efforts that are replicable and hold valuable lessons for other states.

Alaska was recognized for innovative programs such as the statewide mentor project, the public school performance incentive program and the Alaska reading course.

Roderick G. W. Chu, Interim President of the Education Commission of the States, notified Gov. Sarah Palin that Alaska had been chosen for the award by letter March 26, 2007. Palin asked Sen. Bunde to accept the award in Philadelphia July 11, 2007. Kansas Gov. Sebelius is Chair of the Education Commission of the States.

Sen. Bunde is a life-long educator, was chairman of the House Special Committee on Education in 2001-2002, currently serves on the ECS steering committee, and was formerly ECS national vice president.