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News from Education & Early Development

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Last Call! Seeking Comment on Procedures and Tools to Implement Preventive Maintenance Regulation

Changes to the regulation relating to a school district’s preventive maintenance and facility management program established a requirement for regular evaluation of the effectiveness of and need for commissioning existing school buildings. Comments on the proposed implementation options are sought by August 31.

Last Call! FY2022 Capital Improvement Project Grant Applications Due September 1

The department annually evaluates capital improvement project (CIP) grant applications that are submitted by school districts.  The deadline for submittal of FY2022 school construction and major maintenance capital improvement project grant application materials is postmarked September 1.

NEW! Scavenger Hunt Phone App Technology Guides Place-based Education

A mission, a map containing cryptic codes that unlock clues, and an Xtra Tuff boots-wearing secret agent named Northern Flying Squirrel. These are all part of an updated scavenger hunt phone app – launching on September 4th. This mission was made possible thanks to a continuing partnership between the Alaska State Museum and the U.S. Forest Service.

NEW! New DEED Science Education Listserv

DEED launched a new Science Education! The listserv will be a space for science teachers in Alaska to share information on teaching practices, instructional resources, community partnerships, lesson plan and unit ideas, professional development opportunities, and to discuss topical concerns in science instruction. DEED will also use it to push out notifications regarding opportunities in science education.  All science teachers in Alaska (pre-K, K-12, and collegiate) are encouraged to join.

DEED and AASB Release a Trauma-Engaged Toolkit for Alaska Schools During the Pandemic and Beyond

DEED and the Association of Alaska School Boards unveiled a new resource for Alaska schools, the “Transforming Schools Toolkit”. This online resource is a companion guide to the “Transforming Schools: A Framework for Trauma Engaged Practice in Alaska,” released in 2019.

Bond Reimbursement & Grant Review Committee Meeting September 8

The BR&GR Committee will meet via teleconference on Tuesday, September 8, at 1:30pm.  The primary topics of the meeting include revisions to the DEED CostFormat publication; review of proposed preventive maintenance regulation implementation strategy, and to hear subcommittee reports on cost-effective school construction standards.

Stakeholder Input Needed for Tracking Student Attendance

One challenge in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic is how to effectively track attendance in the various instructional environments that schools will offer this year. Watch a webinar hosted by DEED’s Data Manager, and/or fill out the brief 3 question survey on DEED’s proposed option.

Teaching Dr. King’s Social Justice Principles to a Digital Generation

In response to student interest in issues of equality and social justice, these timely curricula for both high school and elementary school students are based on the nonviolent social justice philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Both MLK curricula are ideally suited for online learning. For more background on this timely and unique educational initiative, please watch the recording of the Alaska Smart Start 2020 Summer Virtual Summit session on August 10.

This MLK curriculum is keyed to national and state history and social studies standards

This MLK curriculum is keyed to national and state ELA reading standards

Museum From Home

Alaska museums and cultural centers offer a rich diversity of online learning opportunities, activities, and experiences that you can explore right from your home!

Needs Assessment of Alaska’s Mixed-Delivery System of Early Childhood Care and Education

This needs assessment is funded by a Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) awarded to DEED by the Administration for Children and Families, and jointly administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education. For Alaska, the core grant focus on children birth through age 5 years is expanded to include children prenatal through 8 years of age where data and information allow.

Extended Availability of District FY20 Perkins Funds due to COVID-19 Interruptions

Districts with unspent FY20 Perkins funds have an additional 3 months to expend awarded funds on Perkins/CTE activities.  These funds normally would have expired on July 1, 2020 but are now available through September 30, 2020. For questions or comments please contact Brad Billings.

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.

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.