ACPE’s Master the FAFSA Training provides a line-by-line overview and detailed explanation of the 2025-26 FAFSA process. Education and Workforce Development Professionals gain better understanding and navigation of the FAFSA form to ensure they can support Alaska’s students/families and adult learners with successful FAFSA completion.
ACPE’s Master the FAFSA Training sessions are delivered weekly, on Mondays and Thursdays, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm.
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a series of training sessions. Weekly ACPE’s Master the FAFSA Training sessions are separate sessions that cover exactly the same material. Individuals only need to register and attend one session; however, multiple sessions are available to accommodate a variety of schedules.
Please reach out to Dominika Szpotanska, ACAC Coordinator, for more details.
 Mark your calendars for the FY26 Alaska School Safety & Well-Being Summit, happening September 10-11, 2025 at the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage, Alaska! 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.
View FY26 Alaska School Safety & Well-Being Summit flyer
 Physical Activity – Resources for Boosting Student Success
All students benefit from physical activity. Therefore, it is important to cultivate an environment that creates opportunities for all students to participate in physical activity. The benefits of physical activity include:
- Improved concentration, memory, and classroom behavior
- Improved standardized test scores
- Lower levels of stress and anxiety, better sleep outcomes
- Stronger sense of social connectedness
- Motor skill development
- Reduced risk factors for chronic diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes
Look at this information sheet for a snapshot of Alaskan students activity levels and how schools can enhance success through increasing physical activity.
 Congratulations to the New Awardees!
 The Department of Education and Early Development would like to congratulate the Alaska educators who have been awarded the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).
“The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) recognizes outstanding educators from across the country who teach science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) at either an elementary or secondary grade level. Recipients of the Presidential Award represent the best of STEM education—demonstrating deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable student success.” (https://www.paemst.org, 2025).
Vision and Hearing Screenings Available
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Two new e-learnings courses on Hearing and Vision Screening are available in the Health and Safety in Schools Catalog of DEED’s e-Learning system.
Vision Screening in Alaskan Schools
This course provides a brief overview on school health screening related to the vision screening guidelines for pre-school/school population. This course provides an introduction to the knowledge, skills and resources needed to implement a school-based vision screening program. The intended audience is school nurses, health assistants, special education staff and other school district personnel or community partners who will be involved in student health screening.
Hearing Screening in Alaskan Schools
This course provides a brief overview on school health screening related to the hearing screening guidelines for the pre-school/school population. Providing an introduction to the knowledge, skills and resources needed to implement a school-based hearing screening program. The intended audience is school nurses, health assistants, special education staff and other school district personnel or community partners who will be involved in student health screening.
If you have questions about vision and hearing screenings please contact Wendy Williams, State School Nurse Consultant at wendy.williams2@alaska.gov.
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Bond Reimbursement and Grant Review Committee Meeting
The Bond Reimbursement and Grant Review Committee will meet in Juneau at the Lecture Hall at the Andrew P. Kashevaroff (APK) Building, Alaska State Library, Archives, & Museum, 395 Whittier Street, Juneau, Alaska, from 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, and from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2025. 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 meeting include review and approval of the FY2027 Capital Improvement Project application and support materials, review of the Alaska School Design & Construction Manual, review of the School Capital Needs Forecast Tool, and review of the Cost Model Update.
Video Teleconference available through free online Zoom application.
Join Online – Meeting Number: 827 5106 3737
Join by Phone – Toll Call-in number (US/Canada): 1 (253) 215-8782; Meeting: 827 5106 3737
Individuals, or groups with disabilities, who require specific accommodations to participate should contact Michael Butikofer at 907-465-6906 or Michael.butikofer@alaska.gov by Noon on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, so arrangements can be made.
DEED is seeking applicants for competitive 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) funding that would begin providing programming in the fall of the 25-26 school year. The goal of the 21st CCLC program is to raise student academic achievement by providing students engaging out-of-school-time academic assistance and educational enrichment opportunities. Awards are made for up to five years, and applicants can request up to $900,000 per year. DEED expects to award $3,700,000 this spring.
Any Alaska school district, community-based organization, tribal organization, faith-based organization, or other public or private entity located in Alaska and working in partnership with their school and community is eligible to apply.
Applications are due April 16, 2025.
Please see DEED’s 21st CCLC webpage for more information, including connection information for Technical Assistance Webinars that will be held the week of March 10th. For questions, please contact Jessica Paris at jessica.paris@alaska.gov or 907-465-8716.
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DEED accepting Nonprofit profiles for inclusion in Alaska 21st CCLC External Organization Partner Pool
In order to increase the capacity of Alaska’s communities to offer high‐quality 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) Out-of-School Time (OST) programs, DEED is assembling a list of Alaska non‐profit organizations with relevant afterschool and summer expertise that 21st CCLC grantees may be interested in partnering with when building their out‐of‐school‐time applications and programs. Community partnerships within 21st CCLC programs are strongly encouraged as they have the potential to increase program quality, variety, and sustainability. The term “partnerships” in this instance is used loosely and may involve for-pay contracted services, or in-kind services.
If you are an Alaska nonprofit in good standing with 3 years of success in running or working with OST programs and activities, you can request to be included in the “Alaska 21st CCLC External Organization Partner Pool” by completing and submitting the “Alaska Nonprofit Organization Profile Form.” Experience in any of the following areas would likely be relevant to 21st CCLC OST programming: Educational enrichment in areas such as STEM, drama, music, art, writing, math, physical activities; Career Competencies and Readiness; Positive Youth Development; Behavior Management; Social/Emotional Learning; Health and Wellness; Cultural Competency; Family Engagement; Evaluation; and Sustainability.
Please note: DEED has also issued a 21st CCLC Request for Applications in the past few weeks, but an organization is not required to be included in the Alaska 21st CCLC External Organization Partner Pool in order to be eligible to apply for an Alaska 21st grant as a main applicant nor to serve as a formal or informal partner on a grant application.
For more information, please see the 21st CCLC webpage or contact jessica.paris@alaska.gov
The Healthy Futures Elementary Spring Challenge starts on the first of February across the state. If you are looking for an opportunity to champion physical activity and preventative health measures for students, this program is for you!
How does the Challenge work? It’s simple!
Students who are active for at least 60 minutes a day, 15 days a month, and record their activity on the Healthy Futures Activity Log are awarded fun incentives when their school representative submits the information to Healthy Futures via the online app.
The Healthy Futures Challenge is for ALL Alaska elementary school kids, whether they are learning in-school or at-home. The spring challenge will run from February through April. Let’s keep moving together through the New Year!
Check out HFC Registered Schools to find out which elementary schools have already signed up for the spring challenge. Registration is quick and easy online HERE.
Questions? Contact Kayla Williamson, Healthy Futures Coordinator 907-299-7248 kayla@healthyfuturesak.org
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Professional Boundaries and the PTPC |
As educators transition from spring to summer and perhaps begin looking elsewhere to teach, please be aware of the Contractual Obligations that PTPC has the authority to uphold. Maintain professional communication with your current contracted employer and give them adequate time to find a qualified replacement should you decide to seek employment elsewhere. Leaving without adequate notice, or mutual assent is considered unilateral termination of a contract and may result in a one-year suspension of your teaching certificate.
Administrators, now is the time to book presentations for your fall professional development with melody.mann@alaska.gov to discuss the Code of Ethics for Educators, professional expectations on boundaries, communication and political activity, as well as contractual obligations. Let me know if you would like a virtual or in person presentation to kick off your 2025-26 school year.
Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), Child Nutrition Programs Seeks Sponsors for 2025 Summer Food Service Program
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Each year, states are required by U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations to issue a press release calling for sponsor organizations for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). |
This program provides nutritious meals during the summer break for children 18 years of age and younger during periods when they do not have access to school meals. Children with disabilities and approved individualized education programs may participate through age 21. Sponsors provide nutritionally balanced meals and/or snacks at eligible schools, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, parks, camps, community centers, swimming pools, libraries, and low-income housing complexes at no cost to the child or family. The USDA provides program funding and DEED administers the program and provides sponsors with SFSP training and technical assistance. Sponsors receive reimbursement for meals and snacks that meet the USDA program requirements.
A sponsoring organization must be:
- A public or nonprofit private school;
- A public or nonprofit private residential summer camp;
- A unit of local, municipal, county or state government;
- A public or nonprofit college or university; or
- Any other type of private nonprofit organization, which develops a special summer program providing foodservice for children 18 years of age and under.
Meal service locations must meet eligibility requirements.
To learn more, please visit the Summer Food Service Program website or contact DEED's SFSP program staff by emailing eed.cnp.summer@alaska.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. View USDA’s nondiscrimination statement.
ACPE is Hiring:
College Intern
Are you a college student looking for full-time or part-time work?
ACPE is recruiting for a Juneau-based College Intern to perform administrative support and clerical accounting duties. For more information about this exciting job opportunity and to submit an application, please see the posting on Workplace Alaska.
AI Ready Skills – Available now at NO COST for Alaska Public Schools
AI Ready Skills is a credential program which develops and proves students’ skills in the evolving world of Artificial Intelligence. The program engages young learners through game-based learning in a highly engaging curriculum and rewards their learning with credentials. The program is easy-to-teach and uses Minecraft Education to immerse students in a fun and engaging learning environment.
Providing foundational knowledge in the subject of Artificial Intelligence, the credential program is comprised of 4 units – Introduction to AI, Exploring Data and AI, Coding and AI and Practicing Responsible AI. Students learn in a series of Minecraft Education worlds and prove their skills by undertaking both formative and summative assessments including a capstone credential exam. AI Ready Skills provides students with skills for in-demand job roles, building the workforce of tomorrow, and creating economic opportunity.
Find out more and request your free teacher account at https://aireadyskills.com.
Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century
 GRANT PURPOSE
The purpose of this RFP is to solicit proposals for Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century (referred to as Perkins V) Postsecondary Grants targeting one of nine priority workforce areas (shown above) identified by the Alaska Workforce Investment Board as important to the current and future state economy.
These grants will deliver high-quality CTE programs targeting:
1. Postsecondary students studying in a CTE field;
2. Professional development of CTE instructors; or
3. CTE instruction of secondary students at the postsecondary level (dual credit/dual
enrollment).
Grants are expected to facilitate smooth transitions from secondary education, through
postsecondary training, and into the workforce. They will prioritize offering multiple entry and
exit points, including stackable courses and/or credentials for maximum participation and
effect.
DEED/CTE expects to make up to six (6) awards of $50,000 to $150,000 per year for three (3) years. Total grants shall not exceed $753,000 per year. Exceptional proposals may be granted a larger annual budget, or longer grant term, upon request. Grants will be awarded to eligible organizations seeking funding to operate Perkins Postsecondary CTE program in Alaska only.
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Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) is excited to offer a K-3 Alaska Reads Act course. eLearning Keys to Beginning Reading, 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. This certificate can also be used for 3 CEUs when renewing teacher or administrative certification.
eLearning Keys to Beginning Reading, Keys to Literacy 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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Keys to Literacy Professional Development
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