The Best Education for Alaska’s Children

Harry believes in the potential of Alaska’s kids, potential that has a greater chance of being achieved through a world-class K-12, vocational, and university education. Harry will work to ensure that Alaska schools get the support and investment they need to ensure smaller class sizes so teachers have time to teach each student; that we continue to build a stronger University of Alaska system; and that Alaska expands vocational educational opportunities.

As Mark Twain once wrote, “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” Harry took that saying to heart and worked hard in the Alaska Legislature to constantly invest in, and improve, Alaska’s educational system.

Concerned by the findings that students who fall behind in their education do so during the first few years of schooling, Harry sponsored a bill called The Time to Teach Act that would limit class sizes from kindergarten through third grade to a maximum of fifteen students. Children who study in smaller classes at these ages learn a great deal more and it gives them an advantage that you can track throughout their educational career.

It’s no wonder that, in 2010, the National Education Association-Alaska (NEA-Alaska) — a diverse, grass roots organization that promotes high standards of excellence in education for the children of Alaska through support of public school employees — endorsed Harry in his 2010 run for Don Young’s Congressional seat.

“State Representative Crawford has worked in Juneau for the past 10 years to ensure school funding does not lose ground to inflation. Crawford fought to prevent the dismantling of Alaska’s retirement system and he understands the need to repeal the damaging Social Security Offsets that impact Alaska retirees. Congressman Young has not been a leader on education issues and our members feel the time for change is now in the U.S. House.” - NEA-Alaska President Barb Angaiak