AK HJR39

Urges the Governor to direct the Department of Education and Early Development to develop a comprehensive improvement plan allowing Alaska to opt out of No Child Left Behind Act requirements.

Requests submission of a federal waiver request under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 by the September 6, 2012 deadline established by the U.S. Department of Education.

States that No Child Left Behind does not account for Alaska's geographic challenges and economic difficulties facing rural educators, resulting in inadequate evaluation standards for student performance.

Authorizes Alaska to set its own educational standards, identify struggling schools, and develop teacher and administrative performance measures independent of federal requirements.

Directs copies of the resolution be sent to President Barack Obama, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and Alaska's congressional delegation (Senators Murkowski and Begich, Representative Young).