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August 2023

In this edition of the Alaska Reading Newsletter:

• A Message from ACSA/ASDN
• Alyeska Reading Institute *NEW
• Alaska-specific Reading Specialist Endorsement Program *NEW
• State-Sponsored Literacy Screener
• DEED/R16CC Professional Development *Courses filling up
• Updates from Early Education 
• Important DUE DATES regarding Alaska Reads Act requirements 
• 2024 SoR Symposium Save the Date  
• CLSD Grant Recipient Highlights *NEW
• Alaska School Spotlight - Bering Strait School District
• Thoughts from 2023 SoR Ambassador Awardee
• AKLearns and Quick Links *UPDATED
• Meet the Academic Support Team 

Please help us grow readership by forwarding this newsletter to all staff, your colleagues, and interested stakeholders.  Encourage them to subscribe using the link provided as a sidebar with this newsletter!  

Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year! DEED looks forward to supporting all of our Alaska School Districts, Staff, Students, and Families.

Alaska Council of School Administrators Leadership, Unity and Advocacy for Public Education 234 Gold Street • Juneau, AK 99801 Phone: (907) 586-9702 • Fax: (907) 364-3805 www.alaskaacsa.org

Following the passage of the Alaska Reads Act by the Alaska Legislature, the Alaska Council of School Administrators (ACSA) team worked with our district and school partners to prepare educators across Alaska for the implementation of the Reads Act. ACSA is a fifty-year-old non-profit dedicated to serving public education. Our mission is policy, advocacy, and unity for public education. Through our umbrella organization, we offer support and professional development for educators at every level, superintendents, principals, and teachers. 

We have several efforts aimed at supporting reading, early literacy, Reads Act implementation and good instruction. A couple of examples follow. Last year, DEED and ACSA assisted 18 school districts in developing a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework that supported their K-3 reading plans. Our collaboration with consultants from Safe and Civil Schools allowed district teams to lead through research-supported practices that addressed areas in which a robust MTSS system would support the science of reading initiative. We are currently supporting districts to complete their state plan.

The Alaska Staff Development Network (ASDN) offered webinars at no cost to any district interested in the science of reading and implementing an MTSS system. These webinars focused on topics such as MTSS with Dr. Judy Elliott, developing language comprehension with Lexie Domaradzki and Shelby Skaanes, and teaching reading across content settings with Dr. Pam Kastner. We take pride in offering the highest quality professional learning.

During the virtual and face-to-face MTSS Conference in January, ASDN also offered a Science of Reading Strand that featured presenters such as Dr. Anita Archer, Lexie Domaradzki, and Shelby Skaanes. Our MTSS/RTI Effective Instruction conference is scheduled for January 27-28, 2024, in Anchorage and again will support all educators with reading support.

Additionally, the Alaska Staff Development Network (ASDN) has been working with NWEA to support a Science of Reading course for leaders that addresses the requirement for principals with K-3 grades to complete a Science of Reading course. 

ASDN also offers, as a membership benefit, several Science of Reading courses through their asynchronous library, including Building Comprehension in the Primary Grades, Magnifying Reading Intervention Through Science and Research and Shifting Your Focus to the Science of Reading. 

The Alaska Superintendents Association (ASA) will continue to utilize DEED staff to provide updates and professional development on the Reads Act and implementation. During our upcoming ASA Fall Conference, new superintendents will conduct reviews of the implementation of the Reads Act and the use of key elements of the science of reading. The conference will also feature a presentation from Brent Conway. 

To support principals with implementing the Reads Act, ACSA has offered professional development provided by DEED at our annual Principals' Conference, as well as updates from the department around the new regulations during our monthly principal collaboration meetings. These offerings will continue at this year's Principals' Conference and monthly Zoom Meetings for all PK-12 principals.

Additionally, our ACSA grants team supported deeper professional learning in a series of rural districts on Visible Learning High Impact Instructional practices that apply to any setting, including literacy instruction. Our grants team is also working to support the development of a Yugtun language assessment that complements overall language development and meets the Reads Act goal of supporting literacy across Native Alaskan languages in our state. 

In partnership, ACSA's umbrella organizations and DEED are working to support Alaska's educators to successfully implement the Reads Act and support literacy outcomes for all students in Alaska.  

For more information, please contact us at 907-586-9702

Alyeska Reading Institute   Alyeska Reading Institute (ARI) is a division within DEED specifically designed to support districts and provide services for the successful implementation of the Alaska Reads Act. For more information access ARI District Flyers at the links below, or contact carol.boatman@alaska.gov.

     Alyeska Reading Institute - A New Division of DEED

Alaska Reads Act and ARI Support Timeline

Alaska-specific Reading Specialist

Endorsement Program

State-Sponsored Literacy Screener   The Alaska Reads Act went into effect July 1, 2023 requiring a literacy screener be administered to all students in Kindergarten through grade three.  Any person responsible for administering the literacy screener assessment is required to attend a minimum of one full initial training prior to administering the assessment.     Literacy Screener and Alaska Reads Act supporting and guiding documents are being uploaded on the DEED website, check it out here, https://education.alaska.gov/Alaska-Reading-Resources/Statewide-Early-Literacy-Screener    Questions? Contact Tracy Parker, tracy.parker@alaska.gov

DEED sponsored Science of Reading Courses

Please visit the DEED Professional Development webpage for SoR course updates.   You can also visit https://aklearns.org under "events" to look for calendar updates with information. 

Keys to Literacy SoR Courses

This is the full schedule of available Keys to Literacy courses and registration dates.  

Fall 2023 (Registration opens 7/31 and closes 8/11)

These cohorts are FULL.

Winter 2023 (Registration opens 11/6 and closes 11/17)

     Cohort 1:  Nov. 22 - Mar. 13, 4:00 - 6:00 pm (Wednesdays)

     Meetings on 12/13, 1/10, 1/31, 2/21, and 3/13

     Cohort 2:  Nov. 22 - Mar. 14, 4:00 - 6:00 pm (Thursdays)

     Meetings on 12/14, 1/11, 2/1, 2/22, 3/14 

     Cohort 3:  Nov. 22 - Mar. 16, 8:30 - 10:30 am (Saturdays)

     Meetings on 12/16, 1/13, 2/3, 2/24, 3/16

Spring 2024 (Registration opens 1/29 and closes 2/9)

      Cohort 1:  Feb. 12 - May 22, 4:00 - 6:00 pm (Wednesdays)

      Meetings on 3/6, 3/27, 4/10, 5/1, 5/22

      Cohort 2:  Feb. 12 - May 23, 4:00 - 6:00 pm (Thursdays)

       Meetings on 3/7, 3/28, 4/11, 5/2, 5/23

      Cohort 3:  Feb. 12 - June 1, 8:30 - 10:30 pm (Saturdays)

      Meetings on 3/9, 3/30, 4/13, 5/4, 6/1

Summer 2024 (fast tracked course; Registration opens 4/8 and closes 4/19)

       Apr. 22 - June 22, 8:30 - 10:30 am (Saturdays)

       Meetings on 5/18, 6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22

Summer 2024 (fast tracked course; Registration opens 5/6 and closes 5/17)

       May 20 - June 24, 8:30 - 10:30 am (Mondays and Thursdays)

       Meetings on 6/10, 6/13, 6/17, 6,20, 6/24

Visit the Alaska Keys to Literacy website for more information: 

https://keystoliteracy.com/alaska-reads-professional-development/

Note:  Keys to Literacy satisfies Alaska Reads Act educator qualification requirements for both teachers and leaders. It is open to educators in Grades K-6, but required for K-3.   Please make sure you have reviewed your schedule and the DEED Guidelines/Expectations for Courses sheet prior to registering.  Full participation and attendance is expected.  

NWEA for Administrators SoR Course

The NWEA for Administrators course opened for registration on May 8, 2023.  There are multiple course option dates available.  Register NOW! 

Applicants should register for their preferred term (fall, winter, or spring).

Cohorts 1 & 2 will occur August 31–December 14 (COHORTS ARE FULL)

Cohorts 3 & 4 will occur October 26–February 29 (COHORTS FILLING QUICKLY)

Cohorts 5 & 6 will occur January 9–April 25.

The detailed schedule for virtual seminars can be accessed via the registration link.

https://dpdol.nwea.org/pl/sa/AK/AK_Literacy_LeadershipRegistration_Flyer_FY23.pdf 

Note:  It is recommended that District Leaders take this course, however Keys to Literacy and LETRS also satisfy Alaska Reads Act educator qualification requirements. 

Opportunities for LETRS training!

LETRS for Classroom Educators (Cohort 7) launched in June, and will be followed by additional cohorts for K-5 teachers, administrators, and early childhood educators in late summer and early fall 2023. To learn more or to apply for an upcoming LETRS training, please visit the Alaska LETRS Overview Guide at bit.ly/ak-letrs.  Sponsored by Region 16 CC. 

Upcoming:  DEED sponsored LETRS course opportunities!  Stay tuned! 

Dyslexia Training Opportunity with Neuhaus Education Center This Fall, an exciting opportunity awaits special education teachers as applications open for the Neuhaus Online Certification Preparation for Dyslexia Specialists (OCPDS). This program, supported by DEED, offers specialized training at no cost to the individual or district, equipping educators with skills to intervene effectively with dyslexic and struggling readers. The program, accredited by the International Dyslexia Association, spans 24 months with three phases of instruction, allowing participants to integrate the coursework into their professional lives.   The cornerstone of OCPDS is the Concepts in Literacy curriculum, a Structured Literacy framework tailored for educators working with language learning needs. This comprehensive curriculum provides proven strategies for addressing dyslexia and similar challenges, empowering educators to make a profound impact on their students' literacy development. Special education directors for each district are being provided additional details and information for signing up (limited space available). The 2023 Alaska Cohort begins November 21, 2023. Future Alaska Cohorts will be announced at a later date. For more information and application details, districts may contact the DEED Special Education team at (907) 465-8693 or sped@alaska.gov.

Mark your calendars for DEED's new event: 

Coffee and Content

(starting September 2023; REGISTER NOW!)

Alaska Science of Reading all year? Yes, please!

Once a month, starting in September, join us for Coffee and Content! We have an amazing line up for our first year which will lead right up to AKSOR 2024!

Each reading leader will share a direct to classroom technique or strategy to add to your SOR toolkit (curricular agnostic) for about 15 -20 minutes. After some content, stay for some educator chat! Have questions about reading, choosing interventions, perhaps you are a single teacher in a village school needing a collaboration partner, or does a student just have you stuck and you want a think partner? This will be an open time for conversation, sharing, and problem solving! Sign up link is below!

Dr. Timothy Rasinski will be joining us for September 18th!  Be sure to register! 

https://forms.gle/uoF5rx8LKm2p5zLV7

Alaska Reading Playbook Recorded Training Guides Looking for asynchronous guided training in the science of reading? Curious to learn evidence-based strategies in teaching reading? Check out Alaska’s Reading Playbook six recorded training sessions along with facilitator guides and slide decks. This series can be used in staff training or family and community events for anyone supporting young students learning to read. https://aklearns.org/alaskas-reading-playbook-recorded-training-guides/ Alaska’s Reading Playbook is a guide for educators teaching in Alaska’s unique educational landscape. This playbook combines decades of nationwide research with examples and resources developed by educators in our state. Organized by concepts, you’ll find an introduction to phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, and links to valuable resources where you can continue to deepen your knowledge. Each section provides both the science behind the strategies as well as links to videos modeling the teaching strategies.  https://aklearns.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/AlaskasReadingPlaybook.ac-1.pdf

Beyond the Playbook

- a new PD series -

Catch Them Before They Fall: Working with Emerging and Struggling Readers in the Primary Grades   September 5-26, Tuesdays and Thursdays   4:00-5:30pm AKST

Working with Multilingual Learners and Academic Language Learners   September 28-October 19, Tuesdays and Thursdays   4:00-5:30pm AKST

Working with Struggling Readers Grade Three and Beyond   October 24, 26, and November 2-16, Tuesdays and Thursdays   4:00-5:30pm AKST (no session Oct. 31)

Choose any or all three modules!  Must register to participate. 

Register here

Alaska Reads Act Presentations

If you have Alaska Reads Act questions or your District would like to request an in-person or

virtual presentation on the Alaska Reads Act, reach out to us at:  akreads@alaska.gov

DEED Assessment Outreach Project Survey

The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) has partnered with Denali Daniels + Associates to host a series of discussions and information gathering activities to better understand the assessment needs of entities serving Alaska Native students.  We are seeking input from parents, educators, and community members interested in contributing to perspectives about assessments for Alaska Native students.

>>>>CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY<<<<

If you would like to get more information about the DEED Assessment Outreach Project, please click the links below.

Please visit our LANDING PAGE which includes an ISSUE PAPER with more information about what we covered in this survey, and a link to sign up to receive future information about the Assessment Outreach Project.

This survey will be open until the end of summer 2023! Please share with others you think would be interested.

DEED is recruiting!  Alaska's Statewide Assessment Review Opportunities

DEED is recruiting for three virtual events that Alaska educators can be involved in the assessment item development process for AK STAR, the Alaska Science Assessment, or both! If you have a strong understanding of Alaska’s current academic standards and currently live in Alaska, we’d love to have you participate

See the flyer below for information! 

Complete the assessment interest form if you’d like to participate in any of these virtual events.  Only completed applications will be considered.

Free English Learner-Related

Professional Learning Workshops

As part of the WIDA Consortium (developer of Alaska’s English Language Proficiency Assessment, ACCESS for ELLs), educators in Alaska have access to a variety of self-paced, online English learner-related professional learning workshops. These cover a variety of topics, including strategies for engaging English learners in various content areas, how to use WIDA’s English Language Development standards framework in the classroom, and more. These workshops are not restricted to EL specialists - any educator with ELs in their classroom (including paraprofessionals, instructional coaches, etc.) are welcome to complete these workshops.

See the WIDA Self-Paced Workshops menu for more information, and to find a workshop(s) that are of interest to you. These workshops are available until August 31, 2023. An updated menu of offerings will be released by WIDA on September 1.

Please Note: A free WIDA Secure Portal is required to access these workshops. Contact your District Test Coordinator to get an account. Alternatively, you can contact WIDA Customer Service at help@wida.us.

WIDA Website:  https://wida.wisc.edu/

OR https://wida.wisc.edu/memberships/consortium/ak

Questions?  Please contact Eli Barsy at eli.barsy@alaska.gov

Information from DEED's Early Education Team! 

Pre-Elementary Approval to Operate 

Due September 15 per regulation 4 AAC 60.036, all districts with a preschool classroom of 5 or more students aged 3-5 years must annually apply to DEED for Pre-Elementary Approval to Operate.  To submit your application, go to www.education.alaska.gov/earlylearning and click on the link under the heading, “Pre-Elementary Approval to Operate.”  If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Spencer at kristen.spencer@alaska.gov.  

Teaching Strategies GOLD 

All Alaska School District programs are welcome to utilize the Statewide Pre-Elementary Assessment tool, Teaching Strategies for PreK students. Utilizing the statewide assessment tool is one of the Early Education Program standards for districts who wish to apply for 0.5ADM funding for their students.  

Please contact Supanika Ordoñez (supanika.ordonez@alaska.gov) to get your district added under the DEED license and to join our monthly statewide support calls.  

IMPORTANT DATES AND INFORMATION

ALASKA READS ACT REQUIREMENTS

2024 Alaska Science of Reading Symposium 

Bookmark this link for your 2023 Symposium recordings and 2024 Symposium registration information: https://aksorsymposium.org/

Alaska CLSD Supplemental Grant 2023 Recipient Highlight    Congratulations to Mountain View Elementary in Anchorage!    Mountain View Elementary is absolutely thrilled to have been chosen for the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant! This opportunity allows our scholars to be given more time to build their reading skills, using evidence-based practices. We are creating a “Reading All-Stars” program that creates a positive, engaging and supportive Saturday morning reading program. We are focusing on zero- three parent-play groups, PreK, and kindergarten-third grade classes. We also will have an adult English class for our families who desire that opportunity. Outside of world-class instruction, we are having warm meals for our scholars and their families to start and conclude the program each Saturday! We believe in building the tools of our families and scholars to become super readers! Thank you to DEED for being open to innovation and a new approach to build excitement around reading! Principal, Dr. Clare Hill

Alaska CLSD Supplemental Grant 2023 Recipient Highlight    Congratulations to Petersburg School District!    We are thrilled to receive the supplemental Comprehensive State Literacy Grant for the upcoming school year!  The funds will support critical professional development for all K-12 staff in the Petersburg School District, emphasizing the Science of Literacy at all levels to increase student achievement.  This grant will help support the implementation of our new ELA Core Curriculum, CKLA Amplify, purchased with grant funds from DEED last year. The additional professional development funding provides us the opportunity to have onsite visits from CKLA Amplify trainers and much, much more!   Superintendent, Erica Klundt-Painter Principal, Heather Conn

Bering Strait School District        School Spotlight

This month DEED is highlighting Bering Strait School District.  Take a look at their commitment and how they've requested community involvement for assistance to increase attendance, and overall reading achievement, in their school district.  

A word from Susan R Nedza, Chief School Administrator:

In Bering Strait School District we are working to amplify the message that ATTENDANCE and READING are very important.  We have begun a marketing campaign to spread the word via our own facebook pages, direct mailings, postings in all 15 communities, partnerships with tribal organizations, city and corporation entities, Norton Sound Health and more.  This marketing campaign includes information on both attendance and reading.  This effort has been well received so far and we are thankful for the resources available through the Alaska Reading Resources website to make information accessible.

Please see below documents shared from Bering Strait School District.  These are great examples of ways to share out to stakeholders and provide information to families.   

Thank you BSSD 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! 

Has your school proven great success increasing student reading proficiency utilizing evidence-based curriculum and materials?  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 or questions to:  Jenn.Miller@alaska.gov 

You can view the 2022-2023 School Year Alaska School Spotlights here:

https://education.alaska.gov/Alaska-Reading-Resources/alaska-school-spotlights

The Bright Lights Book Project Continues to Grow and Prosper by Alys Culhane 2023 Alaska Science of Reading Ambassador-Reading Advocate

“Build it and they Will Come.” This is an adage from the book Shoeless Joe by Thomas Kinsella. It’s about a baseball fan in Iowa, who builds a ballpark in a corn field, in hopes that the ghost of Shoeless Joe, a former baseball player will (along with his teammates) play there.  Since reading Kinsella’s book and seeing the movie, (Field of Dreams) this phrase has repeatedly come to mind. I have often considered finding adequate space from in to store, sort, clean, and distribute BLBP books to be as herculean as building a ballpark in a cornfield. 

Making literacy related connections by getting books into the hands of appreciative readers was recently made easier by the acquisition of more space.  We’re now distributing books from the former banquet room of the historic Eagle Hotel, located in downtown Palmer.  We have 2,000 square feet of space and easy access. We’re also central to our local distribution sites. 

In early June, several BLBP volunteers and members of the Church of the Latter Day Saints assisted in loading and then unloading our holdings into two “Mom’s Attic” U-hauls.  When done, the middle portion of the room was filled, floor to ceiling, with boxes of books.  BLBP board President Robert Wallace and BLBP Board member Pete Praetorius began building shelves. And I began unpacking and repacking umpteen boxes of books. I figured that the sorting and salvaging would take at best, one month.  It is August, and the work is ongoing.  

The distribution tasks have been made easier by the acquisition of a company vehicle, a Toyota Rav 4.  Grant funding came in the form of a Tier 1 grant from the Rasmuson Foundation and a donation from Saltchuk Maritime.  I’d previously been distributing books from an unreliable vehicle.  I use the Toyota exclusively for distribution purposes.  The bells and whistles include a rear hatch that opens and closes when I press a button.

Now that the books are more accessible, young and old are better able to benefit from our efforts.  This summer we passed out books at the Friday Spring Fling in Palmer.  For the second straight year, the Palmer Visitor’s Center staff provided us with a quiet, grassy space from which we offer passerby free books.  And for the third straight year the Mat Su Senior Services Center has allowed me to pass grown up and children’s books on to members in the dining hall, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 11 a.m. until noon. The sentiments of many were recently expressed by one individual who remarked that that children’s books are often too expensive to purchase.  “We have to read to kids,” she said, adding “otherwise reading is going to become a lost art.”

Shortly before the move we acquired over a dozen boxes of baseball books which took the form of a donation.  I’d moved the boxes repeatedly, wondering if we’d ever find takers for the likes of Kinsella’s Lunchtime Social and Jim Bolton’s Ball Four.  I needn’t have worried.  The perfect venue was the Mat Su Miners Baseball team pancake breakfast.  I had the books ready to transport shortly before the pancakes came off the griddle.  We were greeted with open arms by the Mat Su Baseball team breakfast organizers.    

Ballplayers, family members, and friends selected books on every conceivable related baseball topic.  The high point of this entire project occurred after three children picked out books.  The pre-teens disappeared into the dining area, and reappeared a half hour later, triumphant.  I watched as a fellow, holding a very cumbersome baseball-related encyclopedia asked a player to sign it and his friend’s books.  I looked more closely, and noticed that all the Miner players had signed their books.  The phrase “build it and they will come” came back to mind.  Our now more accessible books have been well-received by Palmer’s baseball community.

Please contact Alys Culhane by emailing director@brightlightsbookproject.org if you would like to become involved with this project, have questions, or are interested in books for students.

AKLearns

AKLearns is one of our education information webpages. Watch for an update coming soon regarding reading initiatives, and professional development.   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.

Quick Links 2023 Alaska Science of Reading Symposium Recordings Dedicated Link for District DRIP Assistance Alaska Reads Act Documents/Resources FREE DEED Professional Development DEED PD Guidelines/Expectations  AKLearns PD/Events Calendar Alaska Center for the Book Alaska Reads Act Homepage  Alaska Reads Act FAQ Alaska Reads Act Implementation Webinar Recordings DEED Reading Resources homepage State-Sponsored Early Literacy Screener Alaska's Literacy Blueprint Alaska Reads Act Roadmap Alaska Reads Act - Reporting and Data Collections Information Is a link not working for you?  Please email Jenn.Miller@alaska.gov.

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 team members below for assistance with Alaska Reading Initiatives.

          Alaska Reads Act inquiries go directly to akreads@alaska.gov.    

Kristi Graber, Ph.D. Administrator, Academic Support Team Kristi.Graber@alaska.gov

Jenn Miller Education Administrator, Academic Support Team-Reading Jenn.Miller@alaska.gov

Tracy Parker Reading Specialist Tracy.Parker@alaska.gov

Tina Peyerk                   Reading Specialist                   Tina.Peyerk@alaska.gov

Diane Ditton Education Associate  Diane.Ditton@alaska.gov

Emily Svedin                    ADLC, Education Specialist                     Emily.Svedin@alaska.gov

Jon Berkeley Reading Specialist Jon.Berkeley@alaska.gov

Laurie Hagelman               Reading Specialist               Laurie.Hagelman@alaska.gov

Sarah Rhoads Reading Specialist/ADLC Sarah.Rhoads@alaska.gov

DROP US A LINE!        Do you have a question regarding the Alaska Reads Act?       Click below to send your question to akreads@alaska.gov.