DEED Support

AACP was created in January 2005 to increase retention of early career principals and to help administrators positively influence student achievement. AACP is one of two mentoring programs initiated by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.

ASMP exists to enhance and support the profession of teaching in Alaska. The project provides individualized guidance to first- and second-year teachers developing an effective teaching force that is responsive to the diverse academic needs and cultural backgrounds of all students.

AISLA is designed to support and encourage experienced principals who are engaged in school improvement and innovation.

State System of Support School Improvement Coaches
Experienced Alaskan educators assist as coaches and work primarily with staff in Priority and Focus schools. These coaches support each designated school staff in implementing the school improvement plan by providing onsite training, coaching principals and teachers, and supplying distance resources in a broad spectrum of instructional, leadership, and systems’ best practices.

Alaska STEPP is an online school improvement planning tool used by schools and districts to prepare, submit, and manage a comprehensive, continuous, team-oriented school improvement plan.

All 1-star, 2-star, and 3-star schools are required to complete a School Improvement Plan using Alaska STEPP. 1-star and 2-star schools submit these plans to the Department of Education and Early Development and 3-star schools must submit these plans to their district for oversight and support.

Alaska’s ESEA Flexibility Waiver and Accountability Regulations require the department to identify schools most likely to benefit from a significant program of improvement and increased support and oversight from EED.

Priority Schools are chosen from among 1-star and 2-star schools, are designated for at least 3 years, and submit School Improvement Plans using Alaska STEPP to EED by November 1 of each year. School Improvement Plans for Priority Schools must address the Key Indicators identified in the Alaska STEPP tool. Additionally, these plans should reflect appropriate needs and goals as identified by the School Needs Assessment data analysis.

Focus Schools are schools in need of support at a level that is not as great as that of priority schools; they are designated for at least 2 years, and they submit School Improvement Plans using Alaska STEPP to EED by November 1 of each year. School Improvement Plans for Focus Schools must consider the Key Indicators identified in the Alaska STEPP tool, but have the flexibility to implement school improvement indicators that align with appropriate needs and goals as identified by the School Needs Assessment data analysis.

1-Star and 2-Star Schools (not designated as Priority or Focus schools) submit School Improvement Plans using Alaska STEPP to EED by November 1 of each year. 1-star and 2-star schools have the flexibility to consider school improvement indicators in Alaska STEPP that align with appropriate needs and goals as identified by the School Needs Assessment data analysis. As schools begin assessing and planning for school improvement, Key Indicators are a natural starting point.

Each year Reward Schools are identified based upon school performance as indicated on the Alaska School Proficiency Index (ASPI), AMO target results, graduation rates, and attendance rates. Schools are identified in two possible categories: Highest Performing and High Progress.