- Cama-i, quyana tailuci!
- (Central Yup’ik)
- "Greetings, thank you for coming!"
Information Exchange: Vol. 46 No. 2
Newsletter of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
January 12, 2018
Last call! Nominations due January 19 for the Inclusive Practice Award
The Governor’s Council on Disabilities & Special Education established the Inclusive Practice Award to recognize outstanding educators who work to ensure students with disabilities have the opportunity for an inclusive education with their peers as part of the general education curriculum.
Last call! Tuition-Free Expeditions for Girls Seek Applications
Inspiring Girls Expeditions is accepting applications through Jan. 19, 2018, for tuition-free summer science and wilderness expeditions in Alaska, Colorado and Washington for girls ages 16 to 17.
Last call! Deadline Extended to January 18 for the March SAT School Day Registration
SAT School Day allows districts and schools to offer the SAT to juniors and seniors in school, on a school day, expanding access and providing students the opportunity to test at their own school.
Last call! PSAT Remittance to Indicate Fee Waivers due January 16
In order for low income students to receive the benefits to which they are entitled, it’s important that schools indicate their eligible students. Counselors must log into the College Board’s Test Ordering System (TOS) using their Professional Educator username and password and identify fee waiver students by Tuesday, January 16th. Fee waivers for the PSAT/NMSQT®, requested by June 30, are guaranteed; after that date they are allocated as available.
NEW! 2016-17 State Report Card to the Public Now Online
Alaska’s State Report Card to the Public for the 2016-2017 school year is now online! Each year, the state, district, and school report cards provide information about how Alaska’s schools are performing for ALL students. Visit the DEED Data Center to see the most recent updates to Alaska’s Report Card to the Public.
NEW! New eLearning course: Opioids and the Overdose Epidemic 101
DEED partnered with the Department of Health and Social Services Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention to create a new eLearning course, Opioids and Overdose Epidemic 101. This course provides an overview of Alaska’s opioid epidemic and its impact on communities and schools, offers practical tools for school personnel, explains how to identify signs of opioid misuse and what educators can do to help. Coming this February, we will release a secondary course related to opioids, Narcan Administration.
NEW! Alaska Students Selected for United States Senate Youth Program
The USSYP announced that high school students Mr. Brian Keitaro Conwell and Ms. Bianca Violet Eagan will join Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Daniel Sullivan in representing Alaska in the nation’s capital during the 56th annual USSYP Washington Week, to be held March 3 — 10, 2018. Brian Conwell of Unalaska and Bianca Eagan of Juneau were selected from among the state’s top student leaders to be part of the 104 national student delegation who will also each receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study. See attached news release for details.
NEW! Alaska’s ESSA State Plan Moving Through the Review Process
On December 15, 2017, the U.S. Department of Education (U.S. ED) provided feedback based on its initial review of the plan submitted in September 2017. U.S. ED requires resubmission of state plans within 15 calendar days after feedback is provided. The Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) requested an extension in order to ensure adequate time to review all feedback and provide the details requested to clarify the state's plan and proposed accountability system. On January 2, U.S. ED approved DEED’s request for an extension. DEED anticipates resubmitting Alaska’s plan by the end of February.
NEW! Alaska Humanities Forum Seeking Students for Youth Advisory Council
The Alaska Humanities Forum is looking for students currently in the 9th-11th grades to serve on their Youth Advisory Council. This council will have an in-person orientation in Anchorage and will meet virtually bimonthly. Adult mentors will provide support and guidance to council members. They are looking for students who are motivated to strengthen their communities, connect with new friends and mentors from other parts of the state, and feel like they have something to say. If you know of any young people who might be a good fit, please encourage them to apply.
NEW! College Board Announces Unlimited SAT Score Sends for Low-Income Students
The College Board will provide unlimited SAT score reports for low-income students this spring. In addition, CSS Profile will become completely free for low-income students.
Reminder: Attention 2017-18 Grads! Do you know about the National Youth Science Camp?
The NYSCamp is a broad science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) experience that incorporates both creative and performing arts as well as an outdoor adventure series including opportunities for rock climbing, mountain biking, spelunking, whitewater kayaking, and overnight backpacking. The delegation also travels to Washington, D.C. are able to tour museums on the National Mall, attend a Science Policy panel discussion at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and are hosted at a luncheon in their honor with members of the United States Senate. Nov. 1, 2017 – Feb. 28, 2018 application window.
Reminder: Pathfinders Summer Institute 2018 Seeking Teachers
Infosys Foundation USA will host the Pathfinders Summer Institute 2018, an intensive week of in-person professional development in Computer Science and Making, at Indiana University Bloomington from July 15-20, 2018. Over 800 US K-12 US public school teachers will convene at #InfyPathfinders for high-quality hands-on training. All tuition, airfare, room and board for teacher participants will be paid.
Reminder: College Board Offering SAT School Day Opportunity
SAT School Day allows schools to offer the SAT to juniors and seniors in their school, providing the home court advantage on a weekday. The 2018 SAT School Day test dates are March 7, March 21, April 10, and April 24.
Reminder: Subscribe to DEED's Early Learning Updates Newsletter
The DEED Early Learning team puts out a bi-weekly newsletter featuring news about early learning inside and outside Alaska. This issue contains a welcome to the new CCTHITA Head Start Director, resources from Shape America and ARISE Partnership, volunteer opportunities at the upcoming AAEYC Conference, and a collaboration between a preschool and a pioneer home.
College Board Fellowships Available for AP Teachers to Attend AP Summer Institutes
AP teachers with 50% under-represented students are provided with a $1000 stipend. AP teachers from rural schools will receive a $1500 stipend. AP teachers teaching AP Government and Politics in low income schools may apply for a stipend to cover tuition. Applications due February 15.
Bureau of Indian Education Seeking Potential Candidates for Advisory Board for Exceptional Children
The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) requests nominations of individuals to serve on the Advisory Board for Exceptional Children. There will be eight positions available. Pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 1411(h)(6), the Advisory Board is composed of individuals involved in or concerned with the education and provision of services to Indian infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities. Nominations due January 29. See attached federal register notice for more information.
Nominate a Student for the 2018 Billy Michael Student Leadership Award
Nominees should have a strong record of volunteerism, school and/or community activism, or implementing creative solutions to recognized problems. Selected awardees will be flown (along with a chaperone) to New Orleans to participate in the Museum's American Spirit Awards celebration, June 7 –June 8, 2018. Nominations must be received by March 2, 2018.
Spring 2018 CASE Scholarship Application Window Now Open
The Alaska Council of Administrators of Special Education is pleased to offer a $1000 scholarship to provide support for students currently enrolled in UAA, UASE, UAF, or an online program and pursuing a career in special education. January 24 application deadline. See attached flyer for details.
U.S. ED Seeking School Ambassador Fellows for 2018
The agency designed the program to enable outstanding teachers, principals, counselors, librarians, and other school-based professionals that interact with students on a daily basis to bring their expertise to the Department and expand their knowledge of the national dialogue about education. The application closes January 31, 2018, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
Secretary DeVos Seeking Public Comment on Rural School & District Needs
In accordance with Section 5005 of the ESSA, Secretary DeVos is seeking information from the public regarding how the Department can improve upon its consideration of the unique needs of rural schools and districts as it develops and implements policies, programs, and procedures (see preliminary report and blog post). The Secretary intends to use this information in issuing a final report, as required under ESSA, describing the steps the Department will take to increase the participation of rural schools and districts in the development and execution of its initiatives. Comments must be received no later than February 20.
PLAAY Day 2018 is February 22
PLAAY stands for Positive Leadership For Active Alaska Youth and is an initiative of the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. The inspiration behind PLAAY Day is to galvanize communities and our state as a whole around the importance of living a physically active lifestyle. See attached info flyer for details.
2018 Justice for All Art Contest Now Open
Alaskan students are invited to interpret the importance of three concepts (fairness, diversity, equality) of our justice system in two-dimensional art forms and submit them by March 15, 2018. Winning entries and selected submissions will be displayed at courthouses statewide. See attached flyer for details.
Registration Now Open for the Alaska School Nutrition Association Annual Conference
The AKSNA 50th Annual Conference is scheduled for February 13-15, 2018 at the BP Energy Center in Anchorage. Download the registration form and agenda for more information. Pre-conference sessions on Nutrition 101 & Food Safety Certification will be held on February 12th. Additional registration fees are required for these sessions.
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. Application window is open and closes March 31, 2018.
AAEC Seeking Nominations for Statewide Champions of Arts Education
If you know of someone in your region doing an outstanding job increasing the arts, please nominate him/her for this award. Nominations due Feb.14, 2018, winners announced March 2018.
Registration Now Open for the 2018 Alaska Statewide Special Education Conference
The pre-conference begins February 3, 2018. Visit the Statewide Special Education Conference website for more information on the conference.
Attention Graduating Seniors - 2018 Spike Jorgensen Scholarship Seeking Applications
The Coalition for Education Equity of Alaska (CEE) will award two scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each to two deserving graduating seniors that reflect the need for financial assistance to further their academic goals. March 28, 2018 deadline for new scholarship applications. See attached flyer for details.
2018 Alaska RTI/MTSS Effective Instruction Conference Registration is Now Open
Maximize your impact on student learning – with a focus on personalized learning, effective instruction, and evidence-based practices. The conference will be held at the Dena'ina Center in Anchorage January 26-28. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from nationally recognized experts without the expense of out-of-state travel. Sign up now for the best choice of sessions. See the attached flyer for details.
Enhanced Learning Maps Conference Happening January 29-30 in Anchorage
The target audience is teachers of grades 2-8 in Focus and Priority Schools. This conference will take place on Monday and Tuesday following the RTI/Effective Instruction conference. Nationally-known educators Margaret Heritage and Karen Karp are on the Advisory Board for this project and will be presenting. There are travel stipends for this conference and opportunities for free credit as well.
PAEMST Award Nomination Period Now Open
Nominations for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are open for teachers of grades K-6 through April 1, 2018. Contacts: Sandy Schoff, state coordinator for mathematics or Joey Jogliotti, state coordinator for science.
Info Exchange Housekeeping:
This newsletter is available weekly and in archived form. To submit news items, call Erin Hardin at 907-465-6535 or email erin.hardin@alaska.gov.
Contact Us
- Erin Hardin: (907) 465-6535