New Grant Available
Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA)
Stronger Connections Grant II
On June 25, 2022, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) was signed into law and a FAQ document can be found here. In Fiscal year 2024, $4,325,778 was awarded to nine districts in Alaska to be used over a three-year period. In this second round there is $265,596 total funding available for LEAs for this grant. Grant amounts will be no more than $44,200 nor less than $10,000 and are available until September of 2026. LEAs will determine how to split the award over that time. At least six grants may be awarded.
The goal of the grants is to respond to the following needs:
- Students experience a sense of belonging in school.
- Learning environments provide culturally and linguistically responsive practices.
- Students are surrounded by adults they can trust and who are committed to building strong relationships.
- Learning environments are nurturing and help students overcome challenging and traumatic experiences and provide a sense of emotional and physical safety.
Eligible Recipients: any LEA in Alaska.
For access to the Request for Application go to 05-25-003.
For additional information contact pat.sidmore@alaska.gov
Information for District Human Resource Departments
NEW!!! - District Communication Hub
The District Communication Hub is now live! This portal contains detailed information on certificates and application statuses for educators, accessible only through registration and approval. Click here for registration instructions.
“Yellow Postcard” Update
Teacher Certification has updated the “yellow postcard” process, and it is now being sent to applicants via email. Applicants can forward the email they receive to the district’s Human Resources department as documentation that they have completed the first review and are just waiting on their background clearance to be completed by DPS. Click here to view the template email sent to educators.
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The PTPC Handbook for Educators and the Code of Ethics
All certificated educators are obligated to abide by the Code of Ethics. School administrators should distribute the Code of Ethics to certified staff regularly. School administrators are advised to distribute the PTPC Handbook to each school site annually, per 20 AAC 10.310.
More information can be found at https://education.alaska.gov/ptpc or contact:
Executive Director Melody Mann
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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#
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.
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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