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Information Exchange Vol. 47 No. 21

Newsletter of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
June 7, 2019

Reminder: Resource for Optimizing Outcomes for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Optimizing Outcomes for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Educational Service Guidelines, 3rd edition is the recently updated set of guidelines available from the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE). These guidelines cover considerations for the educational needs of deaf and hard of hearing students, what schools and programs need to do in order to serve them well, and shares resources to support those efforts.

Reminder: Upcoming CTE Professional Development Opportunities

Coding and Computer Science

  • Coding Workshops, Code.org / ASDN, For more information contact Cheryl Bobo. Learn to nurture creativity and problem-solving through coding at no cost.
    • June 11, 2019, Juneau, Elementary, K-5 
    • June 19, 2019, Petersburg, Elementary, K-5
    • August 12, 2019, Delta Junction, Elementary, K-5
    • September 23, 2019, Ketchikan, Elementary, K-3 & 4-5
  • Alaska Tech Learners (Computer Science), Prince William Sound College, Asynchronous during FY20, online. For more information contact Steve Johnson.  A curriculum that's a combined PD for certified teachers and dual enrollment for high school students in computer science.

Trades

  • Small Engines Repair, Lower Kuskokwim SD, September 2019, Bethel. For more information contact Colin Stewart. Learn the basics of small engines instruction. Specifically designed for small, rural schools.  
  • Multiple CTE PD Practicums, AVTEC, Ongoing, Seward. For more information contact Deb Burdick-Hinton. Participate in 1-week drop-in practicums in multiple content areas to improve content or pedagogical skills. 

Natural Resources

  • Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, CASE Institute, July 21-30, 2019, Fairbanks / UAF. For more information contact Susan McCullough or visit AK Ag Teachers website. Teachers who attend will be guided through a full year of curriculum and leave with the over 180 lessons in AFNR. This curriculum is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.

Special Feature: The Power of STEM Education

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education is increasing in popularity in schools across the nation - more schools are implementing STEM into their curriculum and instructional practices. The Anchorage School District’s Career and Education (CTE) Team have started a campaign to promote STEM in Alaska to provide inspiration to students to connect STEM to career opportunities in Alaska. Check it out at:

Anchorage School District CTE Facebook

Anchorage School District CTE Instagram

Anchorage School District CTE Twitter

Anchorage School District Webpage

Save the Date: Alaska School Safety & Well-Being Summit Happening September 18-19, 2019

DEED will be hosting a comprehensive statewide School Safety & Well-Being Summit, September 18-19, 2019 at the Egan Center in Anchorage (pre and post conference days are being planned around different topics TBD). Each district will be provided travel funding to bring in a team that may include administrators, teachers, school counselors, parents, community members, and school board members. DEED has planned the Summit to accommodate teams of up to six from each district. More information to come. Contact: Sharon Fishel, Sharon Fishel.

eLearning Continuing Education Units Now Available

DEED is pleased to announce we are now offering one CEU for the completion of eligible eLearning courses. All eLearners who hold a current five or ten-year Alaska teaching, administrative, or special services certificate can earn one CEU for 15 hours of completed coursework. The eligible coursework includes courses required for school district personnel and teaching certificates. Please visit our eLearning page for more information on the eligible courses, and how to submit your information for certification.

Coming this Fall: Google Student Contest to Develop Open Source Software

Google Code-in is a contest to introduce pre-university students (aged 13–17) to open source software development. In the fall, Google chooses more than a dozen open source organizations to participate. The organizations create an extensive list of three- to five-hour tasks for students to work on. The tasks are categorized as Code, Documentation/Training, Outreach/Research, Quality Assurance, and Design. Competition begins in the fall; check the website for details.

Alaska College of Education Offering Summer Courses for Teacher Certification

The Alaska College of Education will be offering two courses in July in Anchorage required for certification: Alaska Studies and Multicultural Education. Complete both courses in three weeks.

 

Alaska Communications Summer of Heroes Program Seeking Nominations

Alaska Communications is seeking nominations for their 9th annual Summer of Heroes initiative, honoring Alaska’s youngest heroes: individuals ages 6–18 who are making a difference in their communities through acts of generosity, courage or achievement. Five winners will each be awarded a $1,500 scholarship. Nomination period closes June 28.

School and District Report Card Feedback

Recently, DEED released the 2017-2018 Report Cards to the Public for each school district and school in Alaska. This new user-friendly website aims to provide clear, common information about all public schools and districts in our state. DEED has created two separate surveys – a District/School Personnel Feedback Survey and a Parent Survey. These links have been added as a tab to the Report Card site. Thank you for your participation in this survey and sharing your thoughts and experience with us.

District/School Personnel Feedback Survey

Parent Feedback Survey 

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

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.

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.

Info Exchange Housekeeping:
This newsletter is available weekly and in archived form at DEED Information Exchange. To submit news items, call 907-465-6535 or email Erin Hardin.