It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Friday, April 17, 2026.
Math and literacy scores drop for many students in sixth grade. The Mat-Su School District plans to fix this.
About half of fifth graders in the Mat-Su scored proficient or higher on the AK STAR test in 2025. Less than 40 percent of sixth graders scored proficient or higher. Superintendent Randy Trani says the pattern reflects a national trend when students move into middle school.
Fifth graders see one or two teachers a day in elementary school. They spend large blocks of time on reading and math. That all changes in sixth grade. Students rotate through multiple teachers. They spend about half as much time on math and literacy.
Trani brought the data and the need for change to the school board in December. He says the transition between elementary and middle school lacks continuity. The fix may not be quick.
Teachers and administrators have been working to prepare students for the transition in the fall. They even show students how to open lockers.
Elementary and middle school teachers are collaborating on assessments
This appears to be making a difference. Data show the gap beginning to close. Trani credits this collaboration.
The district is restructuring sixth grade for the fall. The changes will look different at each school. However, the time in math and literacy will almost double.
Sixth graders will spend the mornings with one teacher focused on both subjects in some schools. Other schools may use longer class periods that combine subjects like math with science or reading with social studies.
The budget crunch isn’t expected to impact the sixth-grade schedule changes. The model shifts students to a smaller team of teachers. It doesn’t require additional staff.
Making sure teachers have the training to connect subjects and stay on track with standards is the bigger challenge.
In other district news, the bus strike enters its eighth week.
Negotiations between Teamsters Local 959 and Durham School Services broke down after three days of talks this week according to the Mat-Su Sentinel. No new talks are scheduled.
A proposal that requires workers to pay for health screenings is at the center of the dispute. These screenings are not required by the state. Union officials say Durham had agreed to ease the policy. The company later changed their mind. It cited budget concerns.
Meanwhile, about 18,000 students don’t have bus service. More than 200 employees are on strike.
District officials say attendance has dropped about two percent since the strike began on March 2.
The district is saving about $100,000 a day without buses running. Officials say that money will be set aside for future transportation costs.
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This Page Two article was reported by Emily Forstner and produced by yours truly, Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Friday, April 17, 2026.
Image: Mat-Su School Board Members listen to public comment during their April 16 meeting at Willow Elementary School.