Alaska Educators Needed!
DEED will conduct a validation study for both the Alaska System of Academic Readiness (AK STAR) and the Alaska Science Assessment in May 2023. The purpose of the validation study is to evaluate whether the assessment cut scores approved in summer 2022 remain appropriate for 2023 and future test administrations. Cut scores are those scale scores that sit at the borders of two achievement levels and allow us to define proficient and non-proficient performance.
As part of the validation study, DEED invites stakeholders to participate in meetings to revisit the established cut scores and review student performance from the 2022 and 2023 administrations of AK STAR and the Alaska Science Assessment. This process will allow DEED to ensure the cut scores are an accurate reflection of student performance in Alaska.
Stakeholders are invited to submit their name and experience by completing the Educator Interest Survey to be considered for these studies. Those with knowledge of the Alaska academic standards are encouraged to apply.
A stipend is available for educators who attend the full meeting and who are not on contract during the meeting dates.
The validation study meetings will take place virtually according to the following schedule—
AK STAR
May 23 – 25, 2023
8:00 am – 5:00 pm daily
Alaska Science Assessment
May 31 – June 1
8:00 am – 5:00 pm daily
 The ASD Summer Academy catalog is live and open for registration. Please visit the ASDSA Website to access the ASD catalog and directions for registering with UAA. There are over 100 courses, with both in-person and virtual options. In-person dates will take place from May 30 – June 2.
IMPORTANT: There will be no on-site registration available. Please register during the open registration window from April 14 – May 21.
ASD Users: Access Catalog HERE
Non-ASD Users: Access Catalog HERE
UAA-Credit:
All ASDSA courses must be taken for credit. Each course is 1 or 2 500-level credits. All instructors have worked with UAA to ensure that each course is of quality and meets the hours needed for course participation, assignment, and reflection work to fulfill the requirements. As a participant, please know courses in Block A and Block B will have continued asynchronous work from June 5th-June 9th to fulfill the course credit requirements.
 Four Teachers Named Finalists for Alaska Teacher of the Year
The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development announced four teachers as finalists for the 2024 Alaska Teacher of the Year: Catherine Walker (Anchorage School District), Jennifer Reinhart (Kenai Peninsula Borough School District), Megan Henry (Anchorage School District), and Michelle Heminger (Fairbanks North Star Borough School District).
“Congratulations to our four finalists for Alaska’s Teacher of the Year and those who were selected by their peers for this special recognition,” said Acting Commissioner Heidi Teshner. “These four teachers are a testament to the teaching profession and deserve recognition for the impact they are making in the classroom and in their school communities. Thank you for choosing to be a public school teacher in Alaska and for all you do to help our students be successful.”
Media Contact:
Laurel Shoop
Special Assistant and Legislative Liaison
Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
(907) 465-8703
DEED’s eLearning program now offers two Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to educators who hold current five- or ten-year Alaska teaching, administrative, or special services certificates. Learners will earn one CEU per 15 hours of eligible coursework completed. All eLearning courses are free.
The newest CEU course bundle focuses on trauma-engaged practices in schools. The courses provide information and resources on topics such as trauma-sensitive schools, self–care for educators, stress and anxiety in schools, classroom practices and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
The cost of each CEU applied toward renewal is $50, however the Department is waiving the fee for the first 400 educators to complete the CEU.
Please visit our website for more information: https://education.alaska.gov/elearning/elearning-ceus.
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Through May 2023, DEED is hosting weekly hour-long webinars to take a deeper dive into the Alaska Reads Act. The webinars will focus on each of the four programmatic parts of the Alaska Reads Act, as well as teacher certification, data collections, and application to world and Alaska Language programs. Multiple webinars are also scheduled which will be dedicated entirely for Q&A and clarification. These webinars are open to the public but will be tailored to educators leading implementation efforts in each district or school.
Recordings of past webinars as well as other associated resources are available at:
https://education.alaska.gov/akreads/webinar-schedules
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