News from the Alaska Department of Education

Professional Teaching Practices Commission Meeting Next Week

The Professional Teaching Practices Commission will meet on April 14 -15, 2022 in Conference room 1236 of the Robert Atwood Building, 550 W. 7^th Ave., Anchorage, AK. The Commission plans to consider disciplinary actions against certificate holders, to conduct administrative reviews, and to discuss other Commission business.

DEED Seeking Educators to Participate in Standard Setting and Alignment Study for Alaska Science Assessment 

DEED is recruiting educators to participate in Standard Setting to establish the achievement levels for the new Alaska Science Assessment. Standard Setting will take place in Fairbanks on June 14-15. The Alignment Study will establish alignment of the assessments to K-12 Science Standards for Alaska, adopted in 2019. The Alignment Study will be held in Fairbanks on June 13-16. Educators should apply by completing the Interested Applicant Survey. Recruitment will stay open until all participant slots are filled. Please contact Elizabeth Greninger at elizabeth.greninger@alaska.gov with any questions.  

DEED Seeking Educators to Participate in Standard Setting and Alignment Study for AK STAR ELA and Mathematics Assessments

DEED is recruiting educators to participate in Standard Setting to establish the achievement levels for the new Alaska System of Academic Readiness (AK STAR) ELA and mathematics. The Alignment Study will establish alignment of the assessments to Alaska’s ELA and Mathematics Standards. Standard Setting will be held on June 21 – 23 and the Alignment Study will be held on June 20-22. Both meetings will be in Anchorage. Educators should apply by completing the Interested Applicant Survey. Recruitment will stay open until all participant slots are filled. Please contact Elizabeth Greninger at elizabeth.greninger@alaska.gov with any questions.

DHSS & DEED Seek Principal and Health Teacher Feedback

Every two years the Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Education and Early Development unite in an effort to survey secondary principals and health teachers about their needs around supporting health curriculum, policies and professional development.  The results help in planning ongoing training opportunities as indicated by school health leaders across the state.  Principals and health teachers will be receiving email requests for input via an online survey.  Thank you to the 90 plus principals who have responded - we are over half way to our goal of having statistically valid data.   We need Principals to also send us contact information for one teaching health in their school.  If you have questions or health teacher contact please send to hss.dph.chronic.profiles@alaska.gov. We need your voice! 

Alaska Science of Reading Leadership Academy

DEED is looking for school leaders who are interested in building their capacity to support teachers in the use of evidence based instructional leadership practices, with a specific focus on Alaska Native communities.

The mission of the Alaska Science of Reading Leadership Academy is to develop principals and other school leaders who understand the science of reading, its application within Alaska Native culture, and how to support teachers with a variety of literacy leadership strategies in their unique school setting.

This two-month, eight-session course will develop the pedagogical and content knowledge of principals and other school leaders in the science of reading leadership. Each weekly session will be synchronous and will last for one hour. Participants will be organized into two different cohorts of approximately 25 members each, which will run simultaneously.

DEED Final FY23 Capital Improvement Project Grant Rankings Available

DEED’s final FY2023 priority lists of district-submitted CIP grant applications for school construction and major maintenance projects are now available.  Priority lists are used by the department, governor, and legislature to determine school construction and major maintenance projects for capital funding during the upcoming budget cycle.

Alaska K-12 Education COVID-Relief Funding Dashboard Now Available

The Alaska K-12 Education COVID-19 Federal Relief Funding Dashboard includes information on funding for individual districts, DEED, the Office of the Governor, and non-public schools. Information on the dashboard includes award amounts and expenditures, timelines of funding availability, and project descriptions.

In addition to the funding dashboards, DEED created a new webpage for COVID relief funding resources. The COVID Relief Funding Resources page will help both school districts and the public find health resources, funding resources, and considerations for school closures.

DEED adds Understanding Homelessness and Dyslexia eLearning modules

DEED is proud to announce the release of two new eLearning modules- Understanding Homelessness and Dyslexia. 

Understanding Homelessness (30 minutes)

This course helps educators learn how to identify children and youth who meet the definition of homeless, the services available to help students and families, and understand the educational rights of students experiencing homelessness.  For information about the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, please contact Cecilia Miller at Cecilia.miller@alaska.gov.

Dyslexia (45 minutes)

In this course you will have the opportunity to build on your understanding of the specific learning disability, dyslexia. This course identifies effective, evidence-based strategies for reading, outlines reading instruction essentials, and provides ideas for classroom supports to implement with students with dyslexia. For support concerning individuals with disabilities, please contact sped@alaska.gov. 

Please visit DEED’s eLearning page to login  https://eedelearning.inquisiqlms.com/.  Email eLearning@alaska.gov or call (907) 465-8677 for assistance with your account. 

Assessment & Data Literacy Training

Alaska’s System of Academic Readiness (AK STAR) gives educators insights that can help improve student learning. Beginning November 30 and continuing into 2022, teachers, teacher leaders, coaches and administrators are invited to join professional learning sessions available for free that will equip educators to make the most of assessments. Workshop and seminars will range from “Basics of MAP Growth” to “Balanced Assessment Systems for Leaders.” A full course catalog is available online. One college credit is available for educators participating in at least six sessions.

DEED adds e-Learning course on teen vaping in Alaska

Did you know almost 50% of Alaska youth have tried e-cigarettes? E-cigarettes (also called “vapes”) are highly addictive, contain toxic materials and harm brain development.  Luckily, Alaska educators can make a big difference in helping youth and young adults quit – and prevent them from starting smoking in the first place. A new e-Learning course for educators about e-cigarette use among Alaska teens provides information about health harms, helps identify various types of products, teaches how to prevent use, and shares resources for schools, parents, and teens. Visit https://education.alaska.gov/ELearning to enroll in this course today!

Overcoming Anxiety and Stress in Alaskan Schools

Covid-19 has had a profound effect on all Alaskans. We have seen an increase in anxiety and stress in students, staff and families.  In response, DEED created a new eLearning course to help Alaskans navigate and manage stress and anxiety. When we successfully manage these emotions, we can harness their power to be successful. But toxic levels of stress and anxiety can have significant impacts on our well-being. Both teachers and students are susceptible. In this course, you will learn ways to help students manage stress and anxiety—methods you can also use yourself.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Explain how stress and anxiety impact students and staff in Alaskan schools
• Use practical tools to help students, colleagues, and yourself manage stress and anxiety

Please visit our eLearning webpage to log in or request a new account: https://education.alaska.gov/ELearning

Alaska State Council on the Arts Adaptation and Innovation Grants

The Alaska State Council on the Arts has Adaptation and Innovation Grants available on a rolling deadline, 30 days prior to the planned activity. Eligible applicants include schools, school partners (such as PTA/PTO organizations), organizations and individuals. The Alaska State Council on the Arts in partnership with Rasmuson Foundation developed the Adaptation and Innovation Grant Program to support efforts to rebuild and advance our work together, to connect with community, and to positively impact Alaskan lives across the state in and through the arts and cultures of our state. For complete information, guidelines, and applications, visit the Alaska State Council on the Arts – Adaptation and Innovation Grants page at https://arts.alaska.gov/adaptation-and-innovation-grant-program.

Alaska Statewide Virtual System Discussion Board

AKSVS teachers, are you looking for a place of discussion and support? Interested in meeting and sharing with other Alaskan teachers using AKSVS? Check out the Teacher Channel Discussion Board through the Alaska Professional Learning Network.

DEED Science Education Listserv

DEED launched a new Science Education Listserv! 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.

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.