PRESS RELEASE: Alaska Reads Act Regulations Adopted

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2022

Alaska Reads Act Regulations Adopted

JUNEAU – On Wednesday the Alaska State Board of Education & Early Development (DEED) adopted regulations associated with the Alaska Reads Act and approved regulations related to a Statewide Screening Tool to go out for public comment.

The Alaska Reads Act creates four new programs within DEED: an early education program, a department reading program, a district reading improvement program, and a virtual education consortium. These new programs will assist school districts in their efforts to bring all students to reading proficiency by 3^rd grade which will make their future in all arenas of education more accessible. The approved regulations address the first three programs, an early education program, a department reading program, and a district reading improvement program, and included approval of the Alaska Early Education Program Standards.

The Statewide Screening Tool regulations to go out for public comment are also in response to the Alaska Reads Act. This tool will be administered to students in kindergarten through 3^rd grade to identify students with reading deficiencies. DEED has procured the mCLASS with DIBELS 8^th Edition as the statewide screening tool. 

The Board also received an update from the Acting Commissioner. The Board’s next scheduled meeting is an in-person quarterly meeting on June 7-8, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska.

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The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development provides information, resources, and leadership to support over 130,000 students in 505 public schools across the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to ensure an “Excellent Education for Every Student Every Day.”

Media Contact: Laurel Shoop, Special Assistant and Legislative Liaison, DEED, (907) 465-8703