- Cama-i, quyana tailuci!
- (Central Yup’ik)
- "Greetings, thank you for coming!"
Information Exchange Vol. 47 No. 10
Newsletter of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
March 15, 2019
Last call! Juneau Spring Break Opportunity: Introductory Coding Session
DEED and the DOLWD are partnering to offer Alaskans introductory coding sessions (see attached flyer). On March 21 from 12-4pm, join us in Juneau at the Alaska State Museum. Participants will be guided through introductory coding lessons by Apple staff using their Swift software. This event is free and open to Alaskans of all ages – no prior coding experience necessary!
Last call! DEED Recruiting Educators for PEAKS Assessment Item Review
DEED is recruiting educators to participate in an Item Review to establish a bank of Alaska-owned assessment items for the Performance Evaluation for Alaska’s Schools (PEAKS) assessment administered to students in grades 3-9 for English Language Arts and Mathematics. This is an opportunity for educators to become involved in the assessment item development process. Educators will review potential test items and provide feedback. This feedback will inform and enrich the process of developing items for Alaska’s assessments. Participants must have experience in teaching English Language arts or mathematics, be knowledgeable of the Alaska ELA and Mathematics Standards, and work well as part of a team. See attached flyer for details. Apply by March 22.
Last call! Measuring School Climate Resource and Webinar Series Starting March 21
In the coming weeks, CCSSO and EducationCounsel will release, Measuring School Climate and Social and Emotional Development: A Navigation Guide for States and District, a new guide designed to support states and districts in navigating decisions about measuring school climate and social and emotional learning and development. In launching this guide, CCSSO and EducationCounsel will host a three-part webinar series focused on this resource that will be open to the public. The first webinar will be on Thursday, March 21 at 3 p.m. ET. During this first session, CCSSO and EducationCounsel will introduce the new guide and be joined for discussion about school climate and social and emotional learning and development by one of the contributing leading researchers, David Osher of American Institutes of Research (AIR).
Last call! Attendance Awareness Webinar Happening March 21
Research shows that good attendance matters from the very beginning of a child’s education. Attendance Works and United Way will host a webinar on Thursday, March 21 to kick off the Attendance Awareness Campaign 2019 focused on how to partner with families to nurture positive transitions from preschool to elementary school, build attendance awareness, and address attendance barriers.
Last call! Register now for the 2019 ASCA Legislative Fly-In
Join the Alaska Council of School Administrators (ACSA) at their 2019 ACSA Legislative Fly In, which will be held in Juneau, March 24-27, 2019.
NEW! DEED Seeks Federal Waiver to Extend Access to School Improvement Funds
DEED is seeking public input on its intent to apply to the U.S. Department of Education for a waiver extending the period of availability of 1003(a) funds. These school improvement funds are available annually to the State for the purpose of awarding sub-grants to school districts to support the school improvement efforts of designated schools (Priority, Focus, Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), and Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI).) This waiver, if approved, will extend the availability of approximately $1.8M by one year (to September 30, 2020) to allow its use to support newly designated CSI and TSI schools. Please submit questions and public comment to Brad Billings by April 19, 2019.
NEW! 2019 Ninth Circuit Civics Contest Open to High School Students
The theme of this year’s contest is “The 4th Amendment in the 21st Century—What is an ‘Unreasonable Search and Seizure’ in the Digital Age?” Students are challenged to write an essay or produce a short video focusing on how the federal courts have applied 4th Amendment protections to electronic data devices, particularly the cellphones upon which almost everyone relies. Deadline for entries is April 1. Sponsored by the U.S. Federal Courts for the Ninth Circuit. A total of $7,500 in cash prizes will be awarded. See attached flyer for more details.
NEW! Alaska Developmental Profile Results Are Now Available
The ADP is an observational tool administrated to all kindergarten students at the beginning of the school year. It comprises of 13 goals across 5 domains- or areas- of development. The results show the percentage of students who were able to consistently meet 13/13 goals and 11/13 goals, which has been the indicator of school readiness. Contact Isaac Paulson, or Supanika Ackerman, with questions.
NEW! U.S. ED Seeking Public Comment on Draft Updated Title I Equitable Services Non-Regulatory Guidance
This document consolidates and updates information previously included in multiple documents and is intended to support state educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and private school officials in the implementation of equitable services requirements under Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act. Send comments by March 26 to U.S. Education Equitable Services and include “Title I Equitable Services” in the subject line.
Reminder: DHSS Intends to Repeal School TB Screening Requirements for 2019-2020 School Year
On March 4, 2019, DHSS sent out a letter to superintendents notifying them that the agency intends to seek repeal of a regulation (7 AAC 27.213) that requires school-based TB screening of students. While the process of repealing the regulation is in progress, there will be no requirement for school districts to assess the TB status of their students for the 2019-20 school year. See attached letter for details.
Reminder: Register Now for AASB’s Spring Academy & Legislative Fly-In April 6-9 in Juneau
Sessions include hearing updates from the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development on Chronic Absenteeism and Early Learning, Making Sense of Your District’s Data, Legislative Updates, and Strategy Sessions for the final stretch of the legislative session.
Reminder: Breakfast Grant Partnership Available for Schools
In partnership with No Kid Hungry/Share Our Strength, Alaska Child Nutrition Programs is offering 1-2 school sites with grant funding to start a breakfast program or expand the current breakfast program. These grants will support schools with the purchase of approved equipment, materials, and initiatives facilitating the school breakfast program in an effort to increase student participation in school breakfast. Individual schools may apply for up to $5,000. Grant deadline is March 29.
Special Feature: Mat-Su Borough School District Educator selected as the 2019 Distinguished Special Education Administrator of the Year by the Alaska Council of Administrators of Special Education
Congratulations to Lucy Hope from the Mat-Su Borough School District, the recipient of the Alaska Council of Administrators of Special Education 2019 Distinguished Special Education Administrator of the Year award. The nomination letter stated, “That during her tenure, she has developed an incredible knowledge of Special Education law and mandates, balancing the letter of the law with the intent. She is well-respected by students, parents, agencies and staff who admire her commitment to ensuring decisions are made in the interest of children. . . She is an advocate for state funding, equity and access for ALL students to participate in their education.” Finally, Lucy “is a boss that truly cares, and has not only created a team camaraderie but also an Alaskan family that takes care of each other.”
Other nominees include Clayton Holland from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, Cristina Welker from Yukon-Koyukuk School District, Laural Jackson from Delta-Greely School District, Lori Rucksdashel from Anchorage School District, and Terry Manning from Fairbanks North Star Borough School District.
2017-18 Report Cards Now Available on DEED Website
The 2017-2018 report cards are now available online. The report cards provide parents and the public with important information on state, district, and school performance and progress. U.S. ED has issued a Parent Guide to State and Local Report Cards that may be a helpful resource.
AAEC Announces Summer Arts Institutes for 2019
Engaging Students in Art & Culture: Summer Institute at Mat-Su (SAMS), May 28-31, Mat-Su Career and Technical High School, free to Mat-Su teachers, others $200 member district teachers, $300 non-member district teachers, 2 Ed 590 credits available.
Amplifying Stories through the Arts: Ketchikan Basic Arts Institute, June 3-14, Ketchikan High School, $500 member district teachers, $600 non-member district teachers, 20 Sealaska scholarships available to teachers from Ketchikan, Juneau and Yakutat, 4 Ed 590 credits available.
Liitukut Allringumi: We are all learning together: Kodiak Multicultural Arts Institute, July 28-August 2, $249 member district teachers, $350 non-member district teachers. Email Barb Short with questions.
DEED Seeking Public Comment on Proposed Changes to Teacher Certification Regulations
The proposed regulation changes would include additions to the list of approved basic competency exams and allow teachers who have completed a basic competency exam in the areas of reading, writing, or mathematics with qualifying scores approved by another certifying state agency to use that exam to satisfy the basic competency exam requirement of AS 14.20.020(i). The proposed changes would eliminate the basic competency requirement for a Type-M limited CTE certificate and allow that initial certificate to be issued for a five-year term. DEED invites the public to submit written comments during the written comment period, which ends on March 25, 2019, at 4:30 p.m.
The proposed regulation changes would update the sub-interval scores on the Performance Evaluation for Alaska’s Schools (PEAKS) assessments for grade 9 math that are used to calculate student growth within the accountability system. Changes to the PEAKS grade 9 math assessment in 2018 required new score ranges to determine student performance. The revised score ranges require an adjustment to the sub-interval score ranges in the student growth indicator under 4 AAC 06.822 so that the sub-interval ranges are aligned with the newly adopted score ranges. DEED invites the public to submit written comments during the written comment period, which ends on March 25, 2019, at 4:30 p.m.
Summer Food Service Program Looking for Local Sites
Too many children who rely on school meals do not have access to meals in the summer. DEED’s Child Nutrition Programs unit is looking for school districts, parks and recreation departments, non-profit organizations, and churches to operate Summer Food Service Program feeding sites for children and youth in low-income areas in Alaska. Sponsors are reimbursed with federal funds for each eligible meal served at approved feeding sites. All sponsors receive training and technical assistance from Alaska Child Nutrition Programs prior to starting their Summer Food Service Program, and throughout the program’s duration. To register for training, please contact Dan Hysell or 907-465-4969. Applications are due May 1, 2019.
2020 Alaska Teacher of the Year Nomination Process Now Open
The Alaska Teacher of the Year (TOY) program gives us an exciting opportunity to celebrate Alaska’s best teachers! Any interested Alaska citizen may submit nominations for the Alaska Teacher of the Year. The Alaska TOY Program is an excellent way to acknowledge the expertise, skills, accomplishments, and professionalism of teachers within your school. For more information contact Cecilia Miller or call 907-465-8703.
U.S. ED Releases FAQs on FERPA Responsibilities for LEAs Regarding School Safety
The FAQ document consists of 37 commonly asked questions about schools’ and school districts’ responsibilities under FERPA relating to disclosures of student information to school resource officers (SROs), law enforcement units and others, and seeks to explain and clarify how FERPA protects student privacy while ensuring the health and safety of students and others in the school community.
IMLS Accepting Applications for the Native American Library Services Basic Grants Program
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is now accepting applications for the Native American Library Services Basic Grants program through Monday, April 1. Native American Library Services Basic Grants are one-year grants of $6,000 to $10,000, which can include $3,000 in eligible education and assessment activities or travel. The grants are available to federally recognized Native American tribes and Alaska Native villages, and are designed to support existing operations and maintain core services of tribal and Native village libraries.
U.S. Census Bureau Offering 2020 Census Statistics in Schools Program
The Statistics in Schools (SIS) program aims to increase awareness of, and overall public response to, the decennial census by engaging administrators, teachers, students, and their parents/guardians in public conversations about the census. The program provides materials that use Census Bureau data for students in pre-school through 12th grade such as lesson plans, data tools, fun facts, and more.
FREE Webinar Series: Creating a Culturally Responsive Classroom offered by SERRC
SERRC will offer a five-part webinar series providing a framework for instruction that emphasizes experiential, active, and student-centered learning. The webinar series will be taught by Gerry Briscoe and Martha Gould-Lehe, senior associates with the Center for Culturally Proficient Educational Practice. The webinar sessions will take place from 4-5 p.m. on April 3 and 17. Sessions will be recorded and made available for those unable to attend. For more information, email Gerry Briscoe or call 907-349-0651.
Steven R. Nelson Native Educator Scholarship Program Seeking Applicants
This scholarship program strives to increase Native representation in the field of education by providing financial support, mentoring, and internships for Native students in the Northwest who are pursuing a master’s degree in education policy, leadership, technical assistance, research, or a closely related field. Awardees will receive a maximum of $5,000 each year. March 31 application deadline.
Associated General Contractors of Alaska Offering Postsecondary Scholarships
The objective of the AGC Scholarship Program is to provide Alaskans, who intend to stay or return to Alaska, with monetary assistance to pursue a degree leading to a career in the construction industry. Scholarship applications must be submitted no later than 11:59pm March 31, 2019.
AASB’s 28th Annual June Nelson Scholarship Competition Now Open
Attention High School Seniors: Don't Wait! Apply Now! The Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB) is proud to announce its 28th Annual June Nelson Scholarship Award Competition. This 2018-2019 school year, AASB will award fifteen $1,500 scholarships to apply toward post-secondary education. Thirteen of these scholarships are available for graduating seniors, and two may be awarded to returning college sophomores. The scholarship may be applied toward the student's choice of a business, trade, or a college institution. Application Deadline: Midnight, March 25, 2019. Winners Announced: Saturday, April 6, 2019.
Applications Now Open for Summer Computer Science Workshops for Grade 6-12 Teachers
Applications are now open for the 2019 Code.org Summer Workshops in Alaska. Middle and high school teachers can apply for scholarships to participate in the 5-day CS Discoveries (Grades 6-10) or CS Principles (Grades 9-12 and AP) summer workshops in Anchorage, Fairbanks, or Juneau. Contact Cheryl Bobo with questions.
Info Exchange Housekeeping:
This newsletter is available weekly and in archived form at Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Information Exchange. To submit news items, call 907-465-6535 or email Erin Hardin.