In Today's Newsletter
1. FY25 Application for District Wide Early Education Program Approval and 0.5 ADM / Foundation Formula Funding
2. Teacher Retention and Recruitment Convening
3. Alaska Native Language Community of Practice
4. The Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education Honors Outstanding Educators
5. Professional Learning Opportunity: Phonics in Reading
6. DEADLINE EXTENDED: Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
7. Alaska Performance Scholarship 2024 Outcomes Report
8. Teach to Lead Summit
9. FCC Tribal Office Hours
|
DEED is inviting applications for FY2025 District Wide Early Education Program Approval. Those districts who receive approval will be eligible to report enrolled early education students in the district’s average daily membership (ADM) that determines Foundation Formula funding. Funding will be granted at a rate of 0.5 ADM for each eligible 4-year-old and 5-year-old student.
Approval will be determined according to compliance with these requirements:
- Operate an early education program for three or more years,
- Consult all high-quality childcare programs within the school district boundaries, including Head Start [Sec 14.03.410(c)],
- Successfully implement the Alaska Early Education Program Standards, and
- Employ early education teacher(s) with the required and current teacher certification.
Application Available:
January 25, 2024
EEP-ADM Intent Form
Technical Assistance Webinars:
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 10:00a.m. - Meeting Registration – Zoom
Due Date:
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
For more information, visit education.alaska.gov/earlylearning or contact earlylearning@alaska.gov
The first annual Teacher Retention and Recruitment Convening (TRRC) will be held February 29th - March 1st, 2024 at the Captain Cook in Anchorage. The event will provide engaging discussions, networking, and practical takeaways. It is sponsored jointly by Alaska Teachers & Personnel (AT&P) and DEED, and the AT&P Job Fair will be happening concurrently.
Nudench'tidałtey Gatherings
The next Alaska Native Language Community of Practice meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, February 21 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Meetings will continue every third Wednesday of the month for the 2023-2024 school year.
DEED will present progress on the development of the Alaska Native Language Literacy Playbook. January's gathering will showcase the development of an introduction for learning to read in Alaska Native Languages. There will also be a focused highlight showcasing a developing video series on the topic of Teaching Phonological Awareness in Ahtna language. As always, there will be opportunity to share resources with each other and discuss community language needs.
Please contact Kari.Shaginoff@Alaska.Gov if you would like to join and receive a Zoom invitation.
The Inclusive Practice Awards honor outstanding educators who work to ensure students with disabilities have the opportunity for inclusive education with their peers as part of the general education curriculum and school community. Whereas numerous educators deserve recognition for a multitude of reasons, the focus of these awards is exclusively on exemplary inclusive practices.
Nominees
Paraeducator of the Year
Shannon Dosko: Kenai Alternative High School
Mackenzie Henley: Chapman Elementary – Anchor Point
Robin Hutchings: Bear Valley Elementary – Anchorage
Priscilla Matchian: Chevak School
Winner
Jenny Miller: Hoonah City School
Inclusive Practice Award Individual
Amy Bobich: Alaska School for the Deaf
Don Clack: ASD Administration/SPED transitions
Nicole Clarke: K-Beach Elementary – Soldotna
Charity Kitsyuk: Eagle’s View Elementary – Unalaska
Dominique Meierotto: Barnette Middle School – Fairbanks
Devyn Reece: Mendenhall River Community School - Juneau
WINNER
Dale Ebcas: Joseph and Olinga Gregory Elementary - Kalskag
Inclusive Practice Team
Annette Island Inclusive Sports: Mike Stoesz and Cassandra Watkins
Hope Community Resources ACE/ACT Team
Ryan Middle School: Gregory Click, Morgan Genovese, and Rachel Peter
Soldotna High School Intensive Needs Team: James Knoebel, Rebecca Owens, and Olivia Weagraff
Winner
Manokotak School: Mary Lillie and Lacy Davis
DEED, in partnership with Curriculum Associates and Region 16 Comprehensive Center (R16CC), is offering a unique opportunity for educators to engage in a full day of in-person training on the Phonics for Reading program with the author, Dr. Anita Archer.
PHONICS in Reading is designed to ensure that students in Grades 3–12 feel comfortable and, more importantly, empowered by their foundational reading skills instruction. The program relies on easy-to-follow teacher scripts that enable a wide range of educators to provide effective intervention.
-
WHEN: Thursday, April 18th, from 9 am - 4 pm (AK SoR Symposium Pre-Conference Day)
-
WHERE: Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center (Anchorage)
-
WHO: Classroom teachers, reading specialists, interventionists, and paraprofessionals who provide reading instruction and intervention to struggling readers in Grades 3-12
-
COST: The training is sponsored by DEED and is offered at NO COST to participants
This is a full-day training (9 am - 4 pm), and registrants must agree to attend the entire training. Registration for the Science of Reading Symposium, happening concurrently, is separate.
Space is limited, so register soon!
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has extended the deadline for Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Notice of Funding Opportunity to March 22, 2024, instead of January 23, 2024. For more information, please see the TBCP Waiver of NOFO II below or visit BroadbandUSA.NTIA.gov.
The Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) 2024 Outcomes Report is now available for review. This report reflects APS eligibility and usage trends from Fall 2011 – Fall 2023. Highlights from this report include:
- Eligibility of 17% remains at the program’s lowest since inception
- APS recipients are two times more likely to graduate with a bachelor’s degree
- 95% of APS recipients remain Alaska residents two years after graduation
“The Alaska Performance Scholarship offers Alaska’s students an opportunity to be proactive and intentional around postsecondary education planning while still in high school. Our APS students demonstrate high achievement, persistence, and completion resulting in a stronger, more prepared workforce. ACPE continues to be responsive and supportive of APS modernization efforts to increase access and awareness for more Alaskans,” said Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) Executive Director, Sana Efird.
To learn more about recommendations to modernize and streamline the Alaska Performance Scholarship, read the Alaska Performance Scholarship Program Review & Recommendations Report: APS_OutcomesReport_2024.pdf (alaska.gov)
Apply to attend the free Teach to Lead Summit to be held April 12-14, 2024, in San Diego, CA!
The U.S. Department of Education is excited to invite teams of educators to apply to join the upcoming Teach to Lead Summit, a three-day, in-person convening Friday, April 12 – Sunday, April 14, 2024, in San Diego, California. Participants will engage in learning sessions and facilitated activities with motivated colleagues, peer teams, subject matter experts, and representatives from the U.S. Department of Education to address persistent problems of practice related to the event theme, Leading for the Future: Improving the Educator Experience and Expanding Opportunities to Elevate the Profession. Teams of 4-5 members, including at least one practicing teacher, are encouraged to apply. All accepted teams receive free registration and lodging (for Friday and Saturday). Learn more at https://eed.communities.ed.gov/#program/teach-to-lead-summit
Have questions or want support with your application? Join the following office hours: 2/20/24 – 2pm ET – Register here!
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will be hosting Tribal Office Hours focused on challenges to the National Broadband Map. The sessions on Tuesday, February 6th and February 20th both at 4-5:30 PM EST, will focus on availability challenges. To attend any of these sessions, please email Tribal.Events@fcc.gov.
For additional information, please see the article below for helpful information about the types of evidence that could support an availability challenge: How to Submit a Successful Fixed Availability Challenge – BDC Help Center (fcc.gov)
|
