The in-person 2023 Alaska SoR Symposium is FULL.
Registered in-person participants can find UPDATED agenda and other information at: AKSORSYMPOSIUM.ORG.
DEED has recently opened up a virtual attendance option! WHO IS EXCITED?
Register for the Virtual Consortium option NOW!
 Calling all Alaskans! Help us recognize educators and advocates across the state who are moving the needle in student reading. Nominations are OPEN for the first cohort of AK Reads Ambassadors! Visit https://bit.ly/akreads-ambassador for details.
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Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects millions of people around the world. In Alaska, it is estimated that around 20% of students have dyslexia to some extent. Dyslexia can cause difficulties with reading, writing, and spelling, which can impact a student's academic progress and overall confidence. However, with the right support, individuals with dyslexia can overcome their challenges and achieve academic success.
To help students with dyslexia, teachers in Alaska are learning how to provide effective support through the READS Act. This law requires all public schools to screen students for dyslexia and other reading disabilities and provide appropriate interventions to help them succeed. Teachers are being trained to recognize the early signs of dyslexia and to provide targeted instruction and accommodations to support students with dyslexia.
One of the key ways that teachers are helping students with dyslexia is by providing multi-sensory instruction. This approach engages multiple senses, such as sight, sound, and touch, to help students learn to read and write. Teachers are also using assistive technology, such as text-to-speech software and audiobooks, to help students with dyslexia access written materials. Additionally, teachers are providing accommodations such as extended time on tests and assignments, and allowing students to use assistive technology during class.
The efforts of teachers in Alaska are making a significant impact on the lives of students with dyslexia. By providing early intervention and support, students with dyslexia are gaining the tools they need to succeed academically and build confidence in their abilities. The READS Act is helping to ensure that all students in Alaska have access to the support and resources they need to reach their full potential, regardless of their learning differences.
Don Enoch
DEED/IEE/SPED
Alaska Reads Act Webinars/Info
Registration and the schedule are available at https://education.alaska.gov/akreads. You can also find recording of past webinars and resource materials presented in each webinar.
The following one-page step-by-step supports were created with the intent to further support districts as they begin planning for next school year:
Alaska Reads Act regulations public comment has closed and regulations are being reviewed for changes. There will be another opportunity for public comment at the next State of Alaska School Board meeting.
If you have Alaska Reads Act questions or your District would like to request an in-person presentation on the Alaska Reads Act, reach out to us at: akreads@alaska.gov
School Spotlight
This month DEED is highlighting Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD). Take a look at their journey toward evidence-based curriculum materials, their dedication to a K-12 approach to literacy, implementation of an Effective Literacy Team (ELT), and more!
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Literacy has long been a focus for the Kenai Peninsula School District (KPBSD). Over the years, the KPBSD has implemented various programs to improve student literacy across all areas. While these efforts have had some success, like most of Alaska, KPBSD students are still not where they need to be when it comes to literacy skills. Superintendent Holland, with the support of KPBSD stakeholders, have implemented several strategies to make sure this changes in the future.
According to Holland, “Literacy is the foundational skill upon which all other areas of student growth builds upon. The KPBSD is committed to doing all it can to ensure our students are starting life with the literacy skills that support them in life success.”
The KPBSD’s commitment to student literacy success is evident by the inclusion of literacy in the 2022-2027 strategic plan. They have chosen to focus the student success priority largely on literacy (in all forms and at all levels). The following aims are included under the student success priority:
- Students will learn literacy skills through engaging instruction grounded in evidence and research based best practices.
- KPBSD will increase the number of students at grade level proficiency or above in reading by building student confidence and success in their reading abilities.
- KPBSD will increase the number of students who are grade level proficiency or above in English Language Arts.
It is important to note that the KPBSD is focusing on students at all grade levels and that any reading initiatives or programmatic changes will address secondary students as well as primary.
The KPBSD has been using the Fountas and Pinnell (F & P) program for literacy instruction, however training on the program during its initial implementation was inconsistent and challenging to deliver due to many factors related to COVID. After a large contingent of the KPBSD leadership and staff attended the AK Reading Symposium, and in conjunction with Governor Dunleavy signing the AK Reads Act into law, it was determined that evidence-based literacy instruction should be prioritized in the district. During the summer of 2022, KPBSD instructional coach, Michelle Thomason, developed a K-5 scope and sequence tying all F & P and Heggerty materials currently being used in the district to Scarborough’s Reading Rope.
During the fall of 2022, under the guidance of Superintendent Holland, the KPBSD continued to focus on effective literacy planning, based on the aims outlined in the strategic plan. The LETRs evidence-based literacy training was offered and more than 40 teachers and administrators were enrolled. An effective literacy sub-committee was formed within the 8 member District Instructional Team (DIT). This DIT-Lit sub-committee determined that it would be beneficial to broaden the scope of the voices in the conversation. The Effective Literacy Team was then established to best inform district leadership on next steps and the future overall philosophy of K-12 literacy instruction in the district. The Effective Literacy Team includes 23 members (15 school based positions and 8 district level positions) from all areas of the district, both geographically and institutionally. Primary, Secondary, K-12, Special Education, Intervention, School Board, School Psychologists, Librarians, and Administrators from Homer, Seward, the Central Penn, and across the Bay make up this diverse team. The goal of the Effective Literacy Team is to serve as the bridge between the Mega Level of the Strategic Plan and the Micro Level of Curriculum/Professional Development/Assessment implementation.
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After building a foundation of common language, basic knowledge about evidence-based reading programs, and a understanding of the current state of KPBSD student literacy, the Effective Literacy Team will answer questions such as:
- What does/could equitable experience look like in all areas?
- How can KPBSD provide an equitable experience in literacy instruction for all students K-12?
- What does a literate student look like for elementary students? Secondary students?
- In what ways does increased student literacy connect with the strategic plan’s goals & initiatives?
- How would changes to literacy instruction affect your area?
- What could good literacy instruction look like in your field?
- What resources/PD will teachers need to be able to provide this instruction?
Using the answers to these questions, the KPBSD will better be able to plan the future implementation of effective literacy instruction at all grade levels.
 Moving forward, KPBSD has been working with DEED to replace the F & P curriculum. Through the ELA Curriculum Grant four core programs have been reviewed. The ELA Curriculum Committee has put forth the request to use CKLA starting next school year. This makes sense, as KPBSD is also planning to use mCLASS for their literacy screener. Both are Amplify products.
Another amazing highlight is the work of the ELT team. Too often, when we discuss literacy, we only talk primary/elementary levels. This group goal is to tackle literacy K-12…it does not stop at elementary. KPBSD recognizes the need to support upper-level students with literacy acquisition as well.
Thank you to KPBSD for sharing about all of this hard work, and congratulations on your amazing journey toward reading proficiency for all students! DEED appreciates you sharing your story!
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
DEED sponsored
Science of Reading Courses
Alaska teachers and leaders are currently enrolled in two DEED sponsored science of reading courses this Spring: Keys to Literacy Alaska SoR for Teachers and NWEA Alaska SoR for Leaders. The turn out for these courses has been phenomenal, with waiting lists for both. Here is what our teachers and leaders have to say about their course:
"Great content!"
"High classroom impact information, organized and presented effectively."
"The online modules were full of good, research-based practices."
"Feedback/input from educators from around the state is awesome! I enjoy listening to what others are doing for the children."
"I am very pleased with the resources they are giving us on the training book. I am also glad to be able to watch the videos showing how to model certain skills."
"It's helping me to have more focused conversation with staff about their current practices and what we want to focus on next year."
"I am better understanding how reading is taught and better able to guide my teachers towards the important aspects of reading instruction."
"It is getting into the nitty gritty of the science of reading. Whether you are a novice or not, refresh yourself of this important shift in literacy instruction."
"Knowing specifically how things are supposed to look in the classroom is invaluable for helping me support, appreciate, and encourage teachers."
"This course has been valuable regarding how to adjust our curriculum routines to incorporate components of the Science of Reading."
DEED is currently working on opportunities for similar courses in the future, so if you did not get in on these, make sure to watch here for updates, as well as the DEED reading resources professional development page, for when other courses will become available. Information should be finalized soon.
 Follow this link to the new DEED Professional Development webpage:
https://education.alaska.gov/Alaska-Reading-Resources/DEED-Professional-Development
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K-12 Math
Professional Learning Catalog
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This semester DEED is hosting several professional learning opportunities which are available to Alaska educators at no cost to the educator. There are currently 40 seats available in the Advancement Courses. Math Recovery courses are currently full.
Coming up on March 29! Edulastic Webinar. Contact Joy at the email below ASAP to get in on this great opportunity!
You can find more information and a complete list of opportunities is available in the Professional Learning Opportunities Catalog.
Questions? Please contact Joy Abbott at 907-269-6578 or email Joy.Abbott@alaska.gov
Data Literacy PD
The DEED Assessment Literacy sessions resumed on January 17 and are targeted at deepening educator understanding of assessment data. Courses are offered remotely during after school hours. Attend a series of courses and work with the Professional Learning Coordinator to earn UA credit for your commitment. If you attended sessions in the fall, you can still earn credit. Reach out to Athena Hill at Athena.Hill@nwea.org for more information on credit.
UPCOMING COURSE YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS!
Applying Reports: Growth and Goal Setting; MARCH 22, 4:00-5:30pm REGISTER!
Follow this link to the course flyer.
Visit the course catalog to learn about more upcoming offerings: https://dpdol.nwea.org/pl/sa/AK/AK_StatewidePL_Catalog_FY23.pdf
Contact Kelly Manning at Kelly.Manning@alaska.gov for more information about these Professional Learning opportunities.
Alaska Reading Playbook - NEW SERIES!
Great news for Spring 2023!
There will be a new round of the Alaska Reading Playbook webinar series starting for both leaders and teachers.
Please click the following links for registration and information:
Administrators
- Tuesdays, 10:00-11:00 AM
- April 4, 11, and 18,
Educators
- Tuesdays and Thursdays: April 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20
- 4:00 - 5:30 pm
You can click Alaska Reading Playbook for your own FREE downloadable or digital copy! Find archived playbook sessions at https://aklearns.org.
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