Statewide Literacy Screener Announced-
FREE use for Alaska Districts
The Alaska Department of Education & Early Development announced it has selected mCLASS from Amplify as the statewide literacy screener that will help with the early identification of students with reading deficiencies in order to provide specific support so that all students will be able to read at grade level by the end of third grade.
Statewide screening and support are components of the Alaska Reads Act. The screening tool will be administered three times each school year. If a student exhibits a reading deficiency, the school district must offer intensive reading intervention services in addition to the core reading instruction that is provided to all students in a classroom. With early identification of reading deficiencies and evidence-based intervention methods, teachers and families can strategically and confidently help a student improve their reading skills.
Amplify’s mCLASS was developed by the University of Oregon’s Center on Teaching and Learning. mCLASS has been built on decades of research in curriculum-based measurement science and delivers a proven approach that screens for at-risk students and provides insight into individual student’s reading development. The comprehensive assessment system offers progress monitoring, a built-in dyslexia screener, intervention tips, and robust reports for teachers and administrators. The assessment does not diagnose dyslexia but identifies which students need additional evaluation to test for dyslexia.
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Alaska Literacy Blueprint
The Alaska Department of Education & Early Development is in the process of updating the Alaska Literacy Blueprint. The past literacy blueprint was created and published in 2011, and has not been updated since. The purpose of the literacy blueprint is to provide clear communication regarding Alaska’s literacy plan from birth through high school graduation. A group of stakeholders from across Alaska will play a vital role in updating the Alaska Literacy Blueprint. Be sure to subscribe to the Alaska Reading Newsletter (see bottom of this newsletter) to keep up to date on the revision progress of Alaska's Literacy Blueprint.
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Alaska RTI/MTSS Refresh
There was great interest in last month's announcement regarding the Alaska RTI/MTSS Refresh opportunity in partnership with Alaska Staff Development Network, Alaska Council of School Administrators and the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. These entities have teamed up to assist districts in analyzing their current multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) model, looking for ways to enhance practices to ensure student success. There was space available for 15 districts, and due to interest surpassing that number, slots are full at this time. Thank you for the amazing response!
Let us explain...
YOUR Leadership Matters
by Susan McKenzie
Director of DEED Division of Innovation and Education Excellence
Leadership is key in supporting efforts to improve reading with evidence-based practices across Alaska. Leaders set the vision to move forward with improvement goals and then create the environment so goals can be reached with the appropriate support and guidance. Getting involved, continued learning, and setting the direction is vital to reading improvement.
Here are a few ways your leadership matters in supporting evidence-based reading improvement:
· Collaboratively identifying the reading needs at your school and then planning to meet those needs using reading science.
· Attending professional development with your staff so that as a team you are tackling the challenges together in a unified effort.
· Prioritizing initiatives to match the needs of your school.
· Prioritizing the budget to support improvement.
· Prioritizing science of reading professional development plans to support improvement in reading.
· Involving parents to support the improvement efforts.
Leading improvement efforts is challenging work. Alaska Department of Education and Early Development’s Strategic Reading Plan is designed to offer a menu of ways we will support your priorities. Please reach out to us at our contact information below if we can be of assistance in your efforts.
 Students who are struggling due to dyslexia are in our classrooms, and we can help them become successful readers. Visit https://dyslexiaida.org/october-is-dyslexia-awareness-month-2/ for more information about dyslexia. Read here for information about effective reading instruction for students with dyslexia. All DEED reading initiatives are related to the Alaska Reads Act with the goal of all students reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade using science of reading strategies and materials with reading struggles like dyslexia in mind.
The Alaska Reads Act updated webpage is live! Thanks to our tech team for all of their hard work. Please visit this page to read about the four new programs of the Alaska Reads Act (Early Education/Parents as Teachers, District Reading Intervention, Department Reading Program, and Virtual Education), and more information!
The Alaska Reads Act (HB114) was passed by the 32nd Alaska State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Dunleavy in June 2022. It created a statewide comprehensive K-3 reading policy designed to improve reading outcomes. Learn about the how and why here.
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2023 Alaska Science of Reading Symposium
2023 SoR Symposium II Planning Update
The keynote speaker line-up for Alaska's Science of Reading Symposium II is being finalized. We are so excited to reveal these details in early December, along with opening up registration for the event.
Be sure to mark your calendars for getting registered to attend Alaska’s Science of Reading Symposium II. This Alaska Department of Education and Early Development and Region 16 Comprehensive Center co-sponsored event will be held from April 28th-30th at the Egan Center in Anchorage, Alaska. There will be NO registration fee. Plan to come engage with other leaders and educators from around the state and nation in rich content regarding reading science.
Last month, DEED revealed the overarching goal for the 2023 symposium:
"Empower Alaskan educators to connect understanding of reading science to classroom and leadership practices, resulting in increased reading proficiency for students."
Experts in the field of reading will immerse us in new learning. We will celebrate great strides in reading science made in Alaska districts over this past year. Finally, we will spend time connecting the knowledge we have, to practice in the classroom, and make plans to continue the journey to improve reading across Alaska.
Registration will be capped at 1000 attendees. Links will be available soon and shared widely. Consider registering for Alaska’s Science of Reading Symposium II early to ensure your slot. We hope to see you there!
REMEMBER, SAVE THE DATE!
- April 28-30
- Anchorage at the Egan Center
- 1000 participant cap
- Watch for registration announcements
- Subscribe to this newsletter for monthly updates
Conference coordinators are enthusiastically developing a framework for this year that will appeal to ALL grade levels and ALL educators (teachers, paras, coordinators, instructional coaches, principals, superintendents, specialists...). Everyone is a reading teacher!
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School Spotlight
This month DEED is highlighting Nenana City School District. Please read about their journey as a CLSD school to increasing reading proficiency for all students, and also what Dr. Pam Kastner, who worked with Nenana District Staff has to say about their work!
Nenana City School District Literacy Initiative
In the winter of 2019 Nenana City School District joined the State of Alaska and other districts around the State in the Comprehensive Literacy State Development award. For those of you who may not know, Nenana is a small village on the road system roughly 50 miles south of Fairbanks, and like many villages struggles with persistent poverty. Nenana is also home to a boarding facility that accepts students from across the State. The CLSD award has helped Nenana focus on growth of student literacy rates in many ways. Perhaps the best way to think about our efforts are through initiatives we’ve adopted both inside and outside of the classroom.
Outside of the classroom, we have implemented two initiatives to support student literacy rates. The first of these are our “Literacy Cafes.” Literacy Cafes are designed to support students and their families and promote reading at home through sharing basic concepts from the science of reading and some helpful reading strategies. Our Literacy Cafes are thematic, and families are able to bring a book home to practice these strategies and concepts. For example, our last Literacy Cafe’s theme was camping. Families were taught about the simple view of reading and students received books like Chirp, The Camping Trip, and A Camping Spree with Mr. McGee.
Another initiative NCS is pursuing is a quarterly book distribution. This program provides all students attending Nenana City School with a book of their choice once per quarter, for a total of no less than four books over the course of a school year. The goal of this program is to increase student leisure reading rates. Teachers work with students to help them with their choices based on student interest. Initial self-reported reading rates from secondary students suggests that the program has had a positive impact on student leisure reading, with an increase in students reporting that they’ve read books they chose during the 1st quarter of the year over the course of the program. With time NCS has improved our program, with this year’s elementary students encouraged to share their books through an after-school book club.
Inside the classroom much of our focus has been on Tier 1 classroom literacy interventions. One of the primary components has been a focus on finding and implementing effective curriculum that supports literacy K-12. For Kindergarten through 8th grade NCS decided on Amplify’s CKLA and ELA curriculum, which has so far proven to be extremely helpful in developing literacy skills, particularly at the K-3 level. NCS has also focused on finding curricula in Science, Social Studies, and Health that will support our literacy initiative. NCS has found a K-6 Science curriculum through HMH that supports our literacy initiative, and a 9-12 Social Studies curriculum that also lends itself to Tier 1 literacy interventions through HMH. Moving forward, NCS’s goal is to have K-12 curricula in place for English/Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Health that all directly support our identified ELA critical standards.
Universal Tier 1 interventions have also been promoted through consistent professional development. NCS staff have welcomed Lexi and Shelby as part of our in-service schedule at the beginning of the award, and have most recently welcomed Dr. Pam Kastner. All three of these professionals have done wonderful work with our staff, helping to develop a common language and universal acceptance of the science of reading amongst staff. Moreover, all three have shared quality instructional strategies that can be used at various grade levels that promote literacy rates. Staff have also consistently attended the Alaska RtI/MTSS conference over the last 3 years. Finally, 5 staff members have earned or are currently earning their Master’s of Education in Literacy through the American College of Education, which has helped facilitate a level of common expertise regarding literacy development that has directly translated to quality classroom instruction.
Nenana City School has not stopped at universal literacy interventions. NCS has also placed a significant focus on retooling Response to Intervention to better serve students. Staff are provided regular collaborative time at the K-6 level to discuss students of concern, including academic concerns, as well as time during quarterly in-services. Staff use this time to create Student Intervention Documents that lay out the specific skills a student needs intervention in, curriculum to be used, and staff who will carry out the intervention. These documents are shared with parents, and serve as a “landing pad” for data that can be used for possible referral for Special Education if necessary. While many of these interventions take place during the school day, many families have consented to after-school interventions for their students as well. Thus far, the system has seen quite a bit of success, particularly at this elementary level. Last year over 75% of students enrolled in interventions increased benchmark scores in the areas they were receiving interventions.
At the secondary level, NCS is still attempting to craft the most effective system for Response to Intervention while staying sensitive to the needs of our students from our boarding facility. This dynamic adds a layer of complexity to truly craft an excellent system that best serves all students. At this time, NCS has implemented a process to identify students in need of Tier 3 interventions and place them in courses specifically designed to support their skill development in addition to typical math and English courses. This is done through partnerships with secondary staff co-teaching some classes, implementation of intervention curriculum, and regular discussion of formative assessment data as students move through the process. Overall, staff and administration are attempting to truly let student data drive decisions.
All of these efforts seem to have had a positive impact on student literacy rates. For the first time in at least 6 years, Nenana City School students have all met the 3rd grade reading level challenge. The growth gap, that is the gap between the growth rate seen in students attending Nenana City School and the national norm, has shrunk for many grade levels. In short, student growth rates in literacy skills have improved. This is all the more impressive considering the negative impact COVID mitigation efforts had on student learning over the previous two years, particularly at the elementary level.
It is so important to note that none of these gains could have happened without the considerable, tireless efforts of the teaching staff at Nenana City School. The teachers at NCS “bought in” to the max when it came to the idea that all teachers are literacy teachers. There is a consistent, concerted effort from the staff to incorporate best practices into their classrooms with intentionality in order to increase student literacy rates and growth. They put in the work to make connections with students and families to support reading both inside and outside of the classroom. Without them, this improvement would not be possible. Thank you to the teachers and support staff serving the students of Nenana City School. Thank you to the students who are stepping up to the challenge.
Thank you to the families and community for placing an emphasis on education. And thank you for taking your time to read about our efforts. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.
Stephen Calkin scalkin@nenanalynx.org
Grants and Curriculum Director
Nenana City Public School (907) 832-5464 https://www.nenanalynx.org/
A Community of Practice… Nenana Public Schools
Sometimes life gives us a gift of an experience we will never forget. My time in Nenana City School District was one such gift. In our time learning together we took a deep dive into the underpinnings of the science of reading, and the essential understandings of the interdependency of language, literacy, and practice.
In every encounter, Nenana educators and leaders personified what it means to be a community of practice. At the heart of it all they are pursuing continuous learning in service of their students and their community. Their commitment to their students and one another is unmistakable. This isn't just talking the talk; it's walking the walk and doing it together. Being a small part of their journey was an honor I will always be grateful for.
Dr. Pam Kastner
Thank you Mr. Calkin and Nenana City School District for all of your hard work, and congratulations to your district on its amazing journey toward reading proficiency for all students! Also, thanks to Dr. Pam Kastner who worked with Nenana City School District. We at DEED appreciate you sharing your stories with us!
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Have you had great success increasing student reading proficiency with an initiative or strategy in your school? Do you have something you are really excited about as an outcome of a shift to Science of Reading best practices? We are interested in hearing what amazing things are happening in your school to positively impact student reading proficiency and achievement. Please submit your story to the e-mail below. You may be chosen as the next school spotlight in a future edition of the Alaska Reading Newsletter!
Please e-mail your submissions to: Jenn.Miller@alaska.gov
AKLearns
AKLearns is one of our education information webpages. We are working to develop a reading page on that site to keep you informed about upcoming opportunities in professional development, links to resources and your “one stop shop” for evidence-based reading.
Please visit AKLearns.org and bookmark it to check back frequently to view the PD calendar for upcoming sessions. There will be many options throughout this school year.
The Alaska Reading Playbook and related webinars can be accessed from AKLearns.org. AKLearns is maintained in partnership with Region 16 Comprehensive Center.
Keep an eye out for upcoming...
- Alaska Reads Act Guidance for School Districts
- Updated RTI/MTSS Refresh Information for School Districts
- Additional Science of Reading Professional Development
- Updated 2023 Alaska Science of Reading Symposium details
- Alaska Reading Strategic Plan Presentations
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 Fall Curriculum PD Success
DEED will complete its first round of professional development opportunities regarding reading science curriculum this month. Educational specialists provided professional development opportunities for Heggerty, UFLI, Phonics for Reading, Core Reading, and Core Multiple Measures from September 7th until October 25th. These professional development sessions were well attended and received.
Did you miss out? No problem. There are recordings of each professional development session available, as well as credited Canvas courses that will open on November 1st. If you are interested in gaining access to the recordings and/or more information/registration for the Canvas courses, please email Tracy Parker at tracy.parker@alaska.gov.
Don't forget to also check out https://aklearns.org/ for current and future professional development opportunities.
Alaska Reading Playbook
The Fall Alaska Reading Playbook series has wrapped up with offerings for both teachers and administrators.
Did you miss the Fall opportunity to attend these engaging, important, and FREE webinars to learn about the Alaska Reading Playbook and its importance to reading improvement across the State of Alaska? Don't worry! Plans are in the works for a Winter Alaska Reading Playbook series. Stay tuned for details!
In the meantime, click Alaska Reading Playbook for your own FREE downloadable or digital copy! You can also find archived playbook sessions at https://aklearns.org.
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Help Spread the Word!
Alaska Educators, we need your help! Please help us spread this information by subscribing below to receive this monthly newsletter. When you receive this newsletter, please forward it to teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, and any other educational professionals /organizations that would benefit from this information. You can sign up for email updates on other topics from DEED at this link. Thank you for your service to the students of Alaska!
The Academic Support Team is here to help!
Contact any team member below for assistance with Alaska Reading Initiatives.
Alaska Reads Act inquiries go directly to akreads@alaska.gov.
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VACANT
Education Associate, Academic Support Team
Come join our team! Email sandra.rogers@alaska.gov with questions.
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