- Cama-i, quyana tailuci!
- (Central Yup’ik)
- "Greetings, thank you for coming!"
Information Exchange Vol. 47 No. 11
Newsletter of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development March 22, 2019
Last call! DEED is Hiring!
Education Specialist II to join our Special Education team. March 27 deadline to apply.
Education Specialist II to join our Student Learning team. March 28 deadline to apply.
Research Analyst III to join our Data team. March 28 deadline to apply.
Education Specialist II to join our Federal Programs team. March 29 deadline to apply.
Last call! 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.
Last call! 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.
Last call! 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.
Last call! 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.
Last call! AASB’s 28th Annual June Nelson Scholarship Competition Closing March 25
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.
NEW! State Board of Education to Meet March 28 & 29 in Juneau
The State Board of Education and Early Development will hold its regular quarterly meeting and a retreat on March 28-29 in Juneau. The retreat will begin at 8:30 a.m. on March 28 at the Andrew P. Kashevaroff Building at 395 Whittier Street. The board meeting will begin at 8:00 a.m. on March 29 in the first-floor board room at 801 West Tenth Street. Immediately following the board meeting will be the annual Alaska Public School Trust Advisory Board meeting.
NEW! DEED Seeking Nominations for the K-12 Educator Talent Pool
DEED is seeking applications that identify exemplary K-12 teachers and principals. We are looking for educators, relatively new to the profession, who demonstrate outstanding instructional and leadership abilities that impact students, colleagues, and the community. These distinguished educators are considered for special recognition programs. Additionally, these educators are considered for statewide and national advisory boards and task forces. A minimum of five years in education is a must. Applications are due May 1 (see attached form). Contact Cecilia Miller for questions.
NEW! A4LE Accepting Educator Grant Applications for Design and Construction Projects
The Association for Learning Environments (A4LE), Alaska Chapter, is offering a grant of up to $4000 to educators wanting to transform their learning environment to enhance the educational experience. Applicants should demonstrate how a proposed facility-related project will address these objectives: 1) improve the physical learning environment, particularly of existing facilities, to “transform” them into positive places for learning and teaching, and 2) engage students in the learning process using hands-on strategies in real-life settings that empower students in multiple ways. The application deadline is April 16, 2019.
NEW! Amendment to Alaska’s ESSA Plan Approved by U.S. ED
An amendment to Alaska’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan was approved on March 13, 2019, by the U.S. Department of Education. Alaska’s plan to implement ESSA, the new federal education law, was previously approved by the U.S. Department of Education on May 16, 2018. As part of that approval, Alaska was required to submit an amendment to the state plan by January 15, 2019, and provide data to ensure that low-income and minority children enrolled in schools assisted with Title I, Part A funds are not served at a disproportionate rate by inexperienced, out-of-field, and ineffective teachers.
NEW! Alaska School Leadership Institute (ASLI) Registration Now Open
The 11th Annual Alaska School Leadership Institute (ASLI) will be held in Anchorage May 29-31, 2019 at the Hilton Hotel. The Institute is designed to support the professional learning of teachers, teacher leaders, principals, site leaders, superintendents and district leaders from small schools or rural school districts to help prepare Alaska’s students as college, career, and culturally ready graduates.
NEW! 2019 Ted Stevens Young Alaskan Artist Award Competition Now Open
Young Alaskans pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree or program in music at an accredited institution are encouraged to apply for the 2019 Ted Stevens Young Alaska Artist Award. Winners receive a substantial monetary award and are presented in a full-length solo recital. The deadline is May 30, 2019.
NEW! Nominate a Middle Level or High School Outstanding Digital Principal
The NASSP Digital Principal of the Year (DPOY) program honors three principals nationally who exhibit bold, creative leadership in their drive to harness the potential of new technologies to advance learning. Applications are due April 30. For questions and more information contact AASSP at 586-9702.
Reminder: 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.
Reminder: 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.
Reminder: 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.
Reminder: 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 April 9 to Equitable Services email and include “Title I Equitable Services” in the subject line.
Reminder: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 at 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.
Info Exchange Housekeeping:
This newsletter is available weekly and in archived form at Department of Education and Early Development Information Exchange. To submit news items, call 907-465-6535 or email Erin Hardin