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 Alaska Reads Ambassadors! Visit https://bit.ly/akreads-ambassador for details.
The Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA) invites Alaskans of all ages to submit their design for the 2023 Artistic License Plate Competition. The winning design will be distributed and sold at DMVs across the state through 2027.
The spirit of this competition is to encourage creativity, celebrate our unique experiences living in Alaska, and highlight the importance of engaging with art in our daily lives. Applicants must be an Alaska resident; all ages are welcome.
Learn more and submit your entries here!
Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), Stronger Connections Grant
On June 25, 2022, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) was signed into law and a FAQ document can be found here. For Alaska there is $4,591,375 total funding available for Local Education Agencies (LEAs). Grant amounts will be $250,000-$500,000 distributed over three years. LEAs will determine how to split the award over that time.
The goal of the grants is to respond to the following needs:
- Students experience a sense of belonging in school.
- Learning environments provide culturally and linguistically responsive practices.
- Students are surrounded by adults they can trust and who are committed to building strong relationships.
- Learning environments are nurturing and help students overcome challenging and traumatic experiences and provide a sense of emotional and physical safety.
Eligible recipients:
- LEAs with a high number of students living in poverty (35% or more) and
- LEAs that meet one or more of the following characteristics:
(1) a high student-to-mental health professional ratio - LEAs that do not meet the recommended standards for mental health professionals as outlined below will be defined as in need. The recommended national ratios are School Counselors – 250:1, School Social Workers – 250:1, School Psychologists – 500:1; or
(2) high rates of chronic absenteeism, exclusionary discipline, referrals to the juvenile justice system, bullying/harassment, community and school violence, or substance abuse; or
(3) where students recently experienced a natural disaster or traumatic event.
The pre-elementary program grants funded and regulated by the Alaska Reads Act are now posted. Please note that these grants are called District-Wide Early Education Program (DWEEP) Grants. The program must promote school readiness and positive outcomes for participating 4-5-year-old children with the goal of meeting all Early Education Program Standards approved by the Alaska State board of Education at the end of the three-year grant period. Once meeting this requirement is documented and approved by DEED, the school district will be able to claim 0.5 ADM/formula funding for the 4- and 5-year-old students.
To access the grant, please go to https://education.alaska.gov/forms.
To access more information about the Alaska Reads Act and corresponding early education program requirements, go to https://education.alaska.gov/akreads.
Grant Application Technical Assistance Dates:
- Tuesday, March 14, 2023 from 3:30 - 4:30pm
- Wednesday, March 15, 2023 from 12:00 - 1:00pm
For login information, please refer to the grant application, form 05-23-043.
 Please join the webinar to learn how the Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) course is for every Alaska high school student!
Date: Thursday, March 23rd 3:30pm Alaska time
Hosted by: Alaska Department of Education & Early Development, with guest speaker from College Board/Advanced Placement
Webinar Description: Computer science coursework is fundamental for student success in the jobs of tomorrow. Employment opportunities in computer and information technology occupations are projected to grow 14.6 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations (5.3%).
During this 45-minute webinar, attendees will learn more about the AP CSP course, how it can benefit your students, tips for implementation in the 23-24 school year, and how the state department is supporting course growth. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions directly of the state department as well as College Board/AP representative.
Register here today! Or contact faye.tanner@alaska.gov for more information.
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