In Today's Newsletter
1. Computer Science Education Week
2. Coding in Minecraft
2. Public Comment: Digital Equity Plan
3. Congratulations Arctic Light Elementary School!
4. Early Learning Webinar Series
5. Professional Teaching Practices Commission Updates
6. ECHO Pop-Up: Chronic Absenteeism
7. Careers at DEED
8. Teacher of the Year Nominations
9. State Board Meeting
10. A Video Message from Students
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The Governor has pronounced the week of December 4th "Computer Science Education Week," and DEED is celebrating by hosting a new Ed Tech event each day this week:
December 4: Hour-long webinar CSEdWeek Kickoff: Impacts of Computing from 3-4 p.m. AKST.
December 5: Live lesson of Coding in Minecraft from 10-11 a.m. AKST.
December 6: Participate in video series, Hour of Code: How AI works
December 7: Live afterschool lesson of Coding in Minecraft from 4:30-5:30 p.m. AKST.
December 8: Participate in video series, Hour of Code: Generation AI
Contact Faye.Tanner@Alaska.gov, the Computer Science Program Coordinator, for more information about the Computer Science Education Week, corresponding events, and resources for the future.
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 Congratulations to our Coding in Minecraft Competition Winners!
During the 2022-2023 school year, these three schools delivered the most Coding in Minecraft credentials in Alaska (per capita):
- Bethel Regional High
- Chiniak School
- Angoon high School
There are awesome tech prizes for the three winners. Congratulations! Keep coding!
December Dates
DEED will continue to offer Coding in Minecraft professional learning workshops for Alaskan teachers. Check out the available dates and times below:
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Title
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Dates/Times
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Registration Link
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December Professional Learning Option 1
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Monday, December 4th
Monday, December 11th
Monday, December 18th
4 – 6 PM
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Register Here
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December Professional Learning Option 2
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Wednesday, December 6th
Wednesday, December 13th
Wednesday, December 20th
4 – 6 PM
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Register Here
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Too many communities in Alaska lack access to high-speed internet. Many more face affordability barriers. There is a stark divide between those who have internet access and those who don't. Digital equity means all have access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet to access education, healthcare, employment, and participate in today’s economy.
Starting November 9, 2023, and running through December 9, 2023, the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED), Alaska Broadband Office (ABO), is seeking public comment on the State of Alaska’s Digital Equity Plan.
The Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion nationwide to establish grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion. In advance of “Capacity Grant Awards” (managed by the State of Alaska ABO) the Rasmuson Foundation and their partners over the last year have collected and compiled data and drafted the initial State of Alaska Digital Equity Plan.
The document outlines the inequities that exist in the state and develops Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that are focused on reducing or eliminating digital inequity for eight covered populations identified in the Digital Equity Act.
Those populations are:
- Individuals with Disabilities
- Individuals with a Language Barrier
- Individuals who are Members of a Racial or Ethnic Minority
- Individuals who Reside in Rural Areas
- Aging Individuals
- Veterans
- Households at/or below 150% of the Poverty Level
- Incarcerated Individuals
The State of Alaska’s Digital Equity plan and comment form are linked below for public review and comment. All interested parties are invited to submit comments on the Plan using the linked comment form by December 9, 2023.
Draft of Digital Equity Plan
Alaska’s Digital Equity Public Feedback Form
Congratulations to Arctic Light Elementary School in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District for being named a National ESEA Distinguished School.
The National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program is a project of the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators that publicly recognizes schools for their positive educational services. It highlights the efforts of schools across the country making significant improvements for their students.
Arctic Light Elementary School was recognized for outstanding performance in Category 3: Excellence in serving special populations of students, specifically English learners.
Arctic Light Elementary School is a Title I school serving a diverse population of military-connected students that come from all over the globe. The English learners (ELs) currently enrolled at Arctic Light represent nine different language backgrounds.
"Arctic Light Elementary School is well-deserving of this prestigious recognition. Their commitment to excellence in education shines brightly, inspiring us all. We wish them a heart-felt congratulations," said Commissioner Dr. Deena Bishop in a press release last week.
More information about the National ESEA Distinguished Schools program can be found online at: https://www.eseanetwork.org/ds
Next week on December 14th, DEED will be hosting a webinar on Social and Emotional Support and Coaching.
Intended Audience
- Administrators from all districts with an Early Education Program.
Purpose:
- Dive into Alaska’s Early Education Program Standards.
- Plan for documentation of high-quality early education programming.
- Familiarize the requirements of the 2024-2025 District-Wide Early Education Program Approval (.5 ADM Funding) application.
Schedule:
- Registration is required for all live webinars. Follow the links to register.
All webinars will be recorded and posted on The Alaska Reads Act Early Education Programs page following the live presentations.
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Link
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Date & Time
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Topic
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Session 1
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Thursday, October 26, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
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Standard V: Assessment
Standard IX: Continuous Quality Improvement
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Session 2
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Thursday, November 9, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
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Standard III: Curriculum
Standard VII: Dual Language Learners
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Session 3
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Thursday, December 14, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
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Standard II: Social and Emotional Support
Standard VIII: Coaching
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Session 4
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Thursday, January 11, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
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Standard IV: Screening and Developmental Evaluation
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Session 5
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Thursday, February 8, 10:000-11:30 a.m.
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Standard I: Teaching and the Learning Environment
Standard VI: Family Engagement
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Administrative Review Panel
The PTPC Administrative Review Panel will meet December 7 at 1:00 PM until business is concluded. The meeting will be fully virtual and participants and the public can join via Zoom: Launch Meeting - Zoom
The agenda can also be found online at: PTPC AR Agenda 12.7.23.pdf (alaska.gov)
New Appointment to the Commission
Ketchikan Borough School District Superintendent Michael Robbins has been appointed to the Professional Teaching Practices Commission by Governor Dunleavy. We look forward to working with Mr. Robbins!
Learn More!
The intent of the Professional Teaching Practices Commission (PTPC) is to serve as a preventative and positive force in helping enhance the professional performance of all educators so that the public's right to the best education possible for all of Alaska's students is adequately protected.
Read more about PTPC's protections of professional boundaries here.
Whenever a staff member observes another staff member engaging in inappropriate boundary invasions with a student, they must report what they have observed to administration. When in doubt, report it out.
Have additional questions, concerns, or just want to learn more? Melody Mann, PTPC's Executive Director, is available to present information about PTPC to educators around the state. Send her an email to schedule an informational presentation.
Session 3: Chronic Absenteeism
Join ECHO on December 7th from 3:00-4:30PM to discuss how Alaskan educators are responding to the issue of lower attendance and chronic absenteeism. This is the second of two sessions on the topic. The first session was one November 20, 2023.
Program Overview
The School Health ECHO is a virtual learning network intended for professionals in the education setting (administrators, school-based nurses, etc.) to interface with a team of medical and education experts in Alaska. This series is focused on health considerations, answering questions related to educational and school settings, and establishing a safe school environment.
Partner Organization
Attendance Works is an action research project. As a non-profit initiative, Attendance Works collaborates with schools, districts, states, communities, and organizations to ensure everyone recognizes that chronic absence is a serious issue that can be addressed using a positive, problem-solving approach grounded in an understanding of educational inequities.
Topics Covered
Each session will include public health announcements and updates, a brief presentation followed by Q&A, and guided discussion or case presentation as an integral part of the learning experience.
Target Audience
This series is intended for Teachers, School Nurses, Social Workers, Medical Providers, Registered Nurses, Public Health Officials, School Administrators, School Counselors and Therapists, All Professionals in the Education Setting
How to Join
Register online at: iECHO | All Teach, All Learn
Want to work with DEED? We have a variety of positions currently open, including positions with Teacher Certification and Libraries, Archives, & Museums.
Job Highlight:
OWL Program Manager & Library Technology Consultant Librarian 3
Are you a tech-savvy librarian eager to champion access for all to the wonders of technology, the internet, and all things library? If so, we have the perfect role for you!
The Alaska State Library is on the lookout for a dynamic librarian to serve as the Online With Libraries (OWL) Program Manager and library technology consultant.
What You Will Be Doing
In this pivotal role, you will empower Alaska librarians by providing professional and technical guidance in public internet access, videoconferencing, and library technology. You will help fortify local library services by identifying and selectively engaging in technology projects and grant opportunities that strengthen and elevate these services. You will manage the OWL Program and assist libraries in harnessing the power of videoconferencing, internet access, and library tech to make their services top-notch. From tiny remote libraries in the wild to bustling city book havens, you will contribute to the enhancement of library services for people of all ages across Alaska.
Apply for this job or see other job postings at: Workplace Alaska
NOW OPEN: Teacher of the Year (TOY) Awards!
TOY is an excellent way to acknowledge the expertise, skills, accomplishments, and professionalism of teachers within your school. Nominations close on Jan. 31, 2024.
Any interested Alaska citizen may make nominations for the Alaska Teacher of the Year. Nominees should:
- Have five (5) or more years of experience in the field of education.
- Be a classroom teacher during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years.
The selected individual will serve as the Alaska State Teacher of the Year for the 2025 calendar year.
Click here for the Alaska Teacher of the Year Nomination Form.
Click here to read about our 2024 Teacher of the Year, Catherine Walker (pictured right).
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TOMORROW, the State Board of Education will have a virtual meeting starting at noon. The agenda and materials for the meeting, including a Zoom link, can be found online: https://education.alaska.gov/state_board/december-2023
NAEP 2024: Give Your Best Effort!
Alaskan students from the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District share the importance of putting your best foot forward during the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). NAEP, also known as the Nation's Report Card, will be given to students across Alaska this winter.
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