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Early Learning and the Alaska Reads Act
The Alaska Reads Act created three opportunities for school district early education programs:
Alaska Early Education Program Standards (EEP Standards), 0.5 Formula Funding for 4- and 5-year-olds
enrolled in state approved Early Education Programs (EEP-ADM), and the Early Education Program Grant (EEP Grant).
Virtual resources to inform and support districts in taking advantage of these opportunities are available throughout the school year.
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Implementing EEP Standards for State Approved High-Quality Early Education Program and 0.5 ADM funding
Registration required. Click the link to register.
Who: Administrators and/or Program Coordinators
Purpose:
Support implementation of the Alaska Early Education Program Standards.
Support districts as they prepare to apply for EEP-ADM.
When:
3rd Thursday of select months, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Beginning September 19, 10:00a.m.
Topic:
Overview/Introduction. EEP Standards Section 9: Continuous Quality Improvement.
Click the link for recordings, upcoming dates and additional information.
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Q&A: AK Reads for Early Education Programs
Registration required. Click the link to register.
Who: Administrators and/or Program Coordinators
Purpose:
Improve understanding of the early learning components of the Alaska Reads Act.
Facilitate communication between DEED and school district early education programs (EEP).
Answer questions.
Facilitate problem solving amongst EEP Programs.
Additional Information:
This is an open session; participants should feel free to come and go at their own convenience. Liken these sessions to “office hours.”
When:
4th Thursday of select months, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
(Beginning October 24, 1:00p.m.)
Click the link for upcoming dates and additional information.
Contact jayne.mcfarland@alaska.gov with questions.
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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 GOLD 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.
Next trainings:
Getting Started with GOLD
Thursday, September 19, 2024
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
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.
Interrater Reliability
Thursday, September 19, 2024
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
During this 3-hour session, 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.
Getting Started with GOLD
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
8:30-11:30am
Interrater Reliability
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
8:30-11:30am
Please contact Supanika Ordoñez for the ZOOM link (supanika.ordonez@alaska.gov)
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TEACH-AK Scheduled Downtime for System Update
Please be aware that TEACH-AK will be temporarily unavailable due to a planned system update on September 19th, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 AM (AST). We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we work to enhance the platform. Please plan accordingly to avoid any disruption in your activities.
Thank you!
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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.
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Help the US Forest Service Decorate the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
If you know of a child who loves art, or an artist who loves Christmas, or anyone at all who would like to help decorate the Capitol Christmas Tree from the Tongass National Rainforest, the Forest Service needs 10,000 handmade ornaments that are lightweight, durable, colorful, reflective, and in assorted sizes that represent various Alaska themes.
Ornaments must be made of natural, recyclable, or repurposed materials and received no later than September 15. Ornaments cannot include any commercial logos, political affiliations or be divisive or offensive.
Ornaments can be dropped off to any Alaska National Forest office or mailed to: 2024 Capitol Christmas Tree Ornaments 161 East 1st Avenue, Door 8 Anchorage, AK 99501. Please note that ornaments cannot be returned.
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 The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the top honors bestowed by the U.S. Government to K-12 STEM teachers. Each year, up to 110 outstanding educators from across the country may be recognized by the White House for their passion, dedication, and impact in the classroom.
Learn more about this prestigious award, and how nominating a teacher for PAEMST can change their life.
 ACPE’s 7th Annual ACAC Training
Registration for ACPE’s 7th Annual ACAC Training is now open!
REGISTER ONCE and join us on Zoom every Tuesday and Thursday between
September 17 and October 15, 2024 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm for a variety of unique live sessions from almost 50 Guest Presenters!
WHAT IS THE ACAC TRAINING?
The annual Alaska College & Career Advising Consortium or ACAC Training is a free professional development opportunity that equips individuals with knowledge, resources, and tools to better support and guide students and adult learners in their planning and preparation for postsecondary education and career training programs in Alaska. The ACAC Training fosters partnership development and encourages engaging in statewide efforts to improve the lives of Alaskans through access to postsecondary education and career training.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND THE ACAC TRAINING?
Representatives from Alaska’s educational institutions, state agencies, Alaska Native Corporations, Alaska Native Tribal Organizations, and local non-profit organizations whose shared mission is to serve, inspire, and empower every Alaskan to dream, plan for, and achieve career training and/or college credentials.
For more information, please reach out to Dominika Szpotanska, ACAC Coordinator.
Kids2Careers FREE Educator Resources for Grades PK-12
ACPE’s Kids2Careers includes Curriculum Resources for PK-12, Postsecondary Planning Tools, Success Steps for Students and Guiding Steps for Families and Educators.
· Please contact Shelly.Morgan@alaska.gov or 907-269-7972 for additional details.
· Schedule a staff overview at https://meetingwithshelly.youcanbook.me/
Early Career Explorers – PK-4th grade FREE Downloadable Educational Resources
ACPE’s Kids2Careers Early Career Explorers FREE educational resources incorporate career exploration alongside traditional subjects to be used in the classroom or at home. Students build a strong foundation to better understand the importance of academics, extracurricular activities, and healthy study habits as it relates to future career goals. (Flexible grade levels.)
Download Resources Here: https://acpe.alaska.gov/PLANNING/Request
Kids2Careers – 5th-12th grade FREE Postsecondary & Career Exploration & Planning Resources
ACPE’s Kids2Careers offers a variety of FREE resources and activities to help 5th-12th grade students explore and plan for education and career training options after high school. In addition to Postsecondary Planning Tools, Success Steps for Students and Guiding Steps for Families, Educators can apply for any or all of the following: 6-Lesson Classroom Curriculum, Postsecondary & Career Prep Panel Discussions (tiered for different grades), and Postsecondary Pathway Presentations to help Juniors and Seniors track time sensitive steps and familiarize with helpful planning tools. (Distance delivery options and flexible grade levels.)
Learn More & Apply Here: https://acpe.alaska.gov/K2C/Educators
2024 LCCA HANDBOOK FOR PUBLIC REVIEW
Please take a moment to review and comment on our updated “Guidelines for Utilizing Life Cycle Cost Analysis and Cost-Benefit Analysis” (2024 LCCA Handbook) through the link provided below.
https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=216427
This handbook was created to assist school districts and design professionals in the ability to make informed choices in proposed educational facility construction projects.”
The deadline to review/comment on this document is September 18th, 2024.
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
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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.
Politics and the PTPC addresses political activity for this election season through the lens of the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession. School administrators are encouraged to share this newsletter with all certificated educators.
More information can be found at https://education.alaska.gov/ptpc or contact:
Executive Director Melody Mann
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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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