News from Education & Early Development

NEW! State Board Seeks Public Comment on Library Standards

The State Board of Education and Early Development, meeting June 10-11 by audio conference, opened a period of public comment on proposed regulations changes to update the state’s library standards.

NEW! Alaska State Library, Archives, and Museums Plan for Reopening

The Alaska State Library and Alaska State Archives will open June 23 for appointments only. The Alaska State Museum and Sheldon Jackson Museum will re-open to the public June 24 by reservation only.

DEED Releases Restart and Reentry Framework Guidance for K-12 Schools

The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, in cooperation with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, released the Alaska Smart Start 2020 framework guidance for the reentry and reopening of K-12 schools for the 2020-2021 school year.

Documenting the Impact of COVID-19 on Life in Alaska

The Alaska State Libraries, Archives, and Museums Division is documenting the impact of COVID-19 on life in Alaska. You can help by sharing documents, images, journals, audio recordings, videos, and other digital or tangible items relating to COVID-19 in Alaska.

Alaska State Museum Presents Online Exhibit on Women’s Suffrage

The Alaska State Museum’s online exhibit Alaska’s Suffrage Star opened June 5 as part of the Juneau Arts & Humanities Council’s Virtual First Friday. The exhibit shares the history of women’s suffrage in Alaska, explaining how local and national activism helped Alaska women citizens achieve the vote in 1913.

Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program FY 21 Request for Applications

DEED is seeking applicants for the competitive Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program (McKinney-Vento Act) funding that would begin providing activities in the fall of the 20-21 school year. The purpose is to provide a free, appropriate public education for all homeless children and youth by removing barriers to their enrollment and attendance in school and supporting their educational success. Applications are due June 23.  For questions, please contact Cecilia Miller at 907-465-8703.

COVID-19 Resources Guide from the Alaska State Library

The Alaska State Library has published an Alaska-specific guide for Libraries and COVID-19. The COVID-19 website includes:

• Statement about the latest health mandates applicable to libraries, archives, museums and schools.
• Resources for remote working and professional development.
• Self-care resources to help you destress in this time of crisis.
• A working list of services currently offered by libraries in Alaska.

  BrainPOP Subscription

Many of you know that Alaska has a statewide license to BrainPOP, but did you know that your teachers can unlock additional features through individual accounts that can only be set up at the school level? At no additional charge to you?

• For students to access BrainPop: click the LOG IN tab (not ENTER CODE)
• For teachers to whose schools are set up to use BrainPop Educator: use the ENTER CODE

 If you have the username and password for DEED’s statewide subscription, please only share it in a way that no one on the internet besides your patrons or students can access the username/password. (i.e. direct e-mail ok, posting to your social media/website/blog is NOT.) If you don’t have the current SLED database credentials, visit the SLED Password Request form and fill it out completely. Expect a response within one business day. The SLED usernames and passwords are good for nearly all the SLED Databases and resources. One request will empower you to help with just about anything SLED related. Contact Martha Ketsdever, BrainPOP Account Manager for Alaska State Libraries, for more information.

  Seeking Public Review and Comment on State Content Standards

DEED is seeking review and comment on state content standards. We encourage parents, educators, and communities to take a few minutes to provide input on Alaska's current English Language Arts and Mathematics standards adopted in 2012.