Early Learning News
Teaching Strategies GOLD
All Alaska School District programs can get free access 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.
Upcoming Teaching Strategies GOLD trainings
Fall training dates have been scheduled for:
Getting Started with GOLD (Online)
Friday, August 9th 9am-12pm
Attendees will learn how to use the Objectives for Development and Learning and progressions of development and learning to focus observations. Additionally, attendees will learn how to use some of the most important assessment features in MyTeachingStrategies®, including documentation entry and checkpoint completion.
Enhancing Interrater Reliability (Online)
Wednesday, August 21st 1-4pm
Participants will be introduced to helpful strategies for navigating the interrater reliability process successfully. Additionally, participants will be led by a Teaching Strategies® expert through a series of practice exercises, evaluating example evidence of social-emotional, physical, language, cognitive, literacy, and mathematics development and learning and hearing details on why a piece of documentation and the knowledge skills and abilities it reflects is assigned a particular rating.
Please contact Supanika Ordoñez (supanika.ordonez@alaska.gov) to sign up for one of these existing training dates or to request a new date.
Bond Reimbursement and Grant Review Committee Work Session
Bond Reimbursement and Grant Review Committee Work Session – FY2027 CIP Application Review - Meeting No. 5
Friday, August 9, 2024, Teleconference
The Bond Reimbursement and Grant Review Committee will meet via teleconference from 1 – 3 p.m. on Friday, August 9, 2024. The committee's agenda and meeting packet will be available online prior to the meeting on the committee’s website (education.alaska.gov/Facilities/BRGR).
The primary topics of the work session will be:
- Overview of what an online application would look like including a Q&A session,
- Review of Sections 8, 9, 10, and attachments, and
- Plans for additional work sessions.
Audio Teleconference available through the free online Teams application:
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 275 396 590 471
Passcode: tVsCbT
Dial in by phone
+1 907-202-7104,,604721453# United States, Anchorage
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 604 721 453#
Girls Leading Change
Hello Alaska Teachers, Principals, Superintendents, Agriculture and Nutrition Leaders, Education Associations, and Indian Education Advocates:
Do you know a young girl, age 14 to 18, who is leading change or tackling important community issues? If so, you have an opportunity to nominate her for the Girls Leading Change recognition program to the White House Gender Policy Council in advance of International Day of the Girl on October 11, 2024.
To submit a nomination, fill out this form by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time
on Friday, August 2, 2024.
It's now time to register for the 2024 Alaska School Safety & Well-Being Summit, happening September 25-26 at the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center!
Educational leaders, key staff, and strategic stakeholders, including representation from every district across the state, will convene to improve school safety and well-being in Alaska by both learning and sharing methods to: promote healthy development through trauma-engaged and restorative practices, improve school climate, and be better prepared for any possible school crisis.
The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education is actively recruiting for an Executive Director/Officer in our Executive Office Unit! This Juneau or Anchorage-based position is a range 27.
The ideal candidate will possess some or all of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Practical knowledge of policy issues and opportunities of greatest importance to ACPE's and ASLC's mission in Alaska and commitment to advancing the strategic priorities approved by the Board
- Understanding of laws, regulations, policies, practices and procedures of the Alaska state financial aid programs
- Strong understanding of financial management, budgeting, and the intricacies of student loan programs to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainability
- Working knowledge of Federal and state laws, loan documents related to student financial aid, education loans and consumer lending programs, and data privacy
- Excellent communication skills to advocate for the agency’s mission, build partnerships, and engage stakeholders, including government officials, educational institutions, and the public
- Demonstrated experience in leadership theories, principles and techniques, to include change management
- Operational knowledge of Board and policy-level governance and organization
- Familiarity with State of Alaska government, institutions and public policy issues to effectively navigate and influence legislative and regulatory environments
To learn more about this exciting job opportunity and to submit an application, please see the posting on Workplace Alaska, which closes on 7/26/2024 at 5pm. If you have any questions about the position, please reach out to Grace Newman. Thank you!
Information for
District Human Resource Departments
An important email was sent out to all HR directors on July 2, 2024. This email included updates on the Teacher Certification process, a website refresh, and the Fast Track Request process. Please check your inbox for detailed information and links to guides and forms. For your convenience, here is a link to the correspondence. If you have any questions or did not receive the email, please email colleen.walker@alaska.gov.
Applicants Sought
for SSPC Youth Member Seat
The Statewide Suicide Prevention Council (SSPC) currently has a vacancy for its Youth Member seat, which is a 4-year term appointed by the Governor of Alaska. The requirement for this seat is that when the person is appointed, they must be at least 16 years of age but not more than 24 years of age. There is no Legislative Confirmation or Financial Disclosure required.
The SSPC serves as an advisory council to the Legislature and the Governor for suicide related issues, focusing on prevention, intervention, and postvention. The SSPC consists of 13 members from a variety of fields related to suicide prevention appointed by the Governor, as well as two State Senators appointed by the Senate President and two Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House. The SSPC meets on a quarterly basis, including at least one annual in-person meeting, and focuses on advocacy, policy, and education related to suicide prevention.
If interested in applying for the Youth Member seat, visit https://aws.state.ak.us/CrmForms/Home/Apply to fill out an application with Boards & Commissions in the Governor’s Office, or contact boards@alaska.gov for an application. If you have questions about the application process, email boards@alaska.gov. If you have any questions about the roles, duties, and/or responsibilities of the SSPC, please contact Eric Morrison at eric.morrison@alaska.gov.
Calling All Alaska Educators!
DEED is recruiting for two virtual events where Alaska educators can be involved in the assessment item development process for the Alaska Science Assessment! If you have a strong understanding of the K-12 Science Standards for Alaska and currently live in Alaska, we’d love to have you participate! Both reviews will be held during off contract hours. Complete the assessment interest form if you’d like to participate in one of these virtual events. Only completed applications will be considered.
Assessment Data Reviews
Alaska educators will review and provide feedback on test item data from the spring 2024 administrations. This review will assist DEED and our vendors in building operational assessments for future administrations. Participants will receive $100-$150 stipend for full participation.
- Science Data Review: Tuesday, September 24 – 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Assessment Item Reviews
Alaska educators will evaluate and provide feedback on new science test items, verify alignment to Alaska’s standards and review for bias and sensitivity. Participants receive a $250 stipend for full participation.
- Science Item Review: Friday, September 27 – 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm and Saturday, September 28 7 – 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Keys to Literacy Professional Development
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Keys to Literacy: Keys to Beginning Reading course
Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) is excited to announce a new K-3 Alaska Reads Act course. A Keys to Literacy asynchronous course is now live and available on Alaska DEED’s e-learning platform.
This course is approved by the DEED to meet the regulatory statute requirements outlined in the Alaska Reads Act. Upon successful completion of this course, educators must submit their course certificate to AK Teacher Certification to add the K-3 AK Reads Act Reading Endorsement to their Teacher Certificate.
Keys to Beginning Reading is a 45-hour course designed by Keys to Literacy founder Joan Sedita, and tailored specifically for Alaska educators. It is a practical course that provides the background knowledge needed to teach all the components of beginning reading instruction. The instructional practices are designed to easily transfer to classroom lessons and can be integrated with any reading curriculum or published reading program.
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