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In this edition of the Alaska Reading Newsletter:
- Alaska Distance Learning Consortium (ADLC) *NEW
- DEED's Monthly Coffee and Content *TODAY 4PM!
- Alaska School Spotlight - Unalaska School District
- Happenings and Highlights in Schools
- Alaska Educator Requirements *Endorsement form updated/fee waived
- Notes from DEED's Early Learning Team *Upcoming webinar dates
- Information from ARI
- State-Sponsored Early Literacy Screener
- DEED/R16CC Professional Development
- AKLearns and Quick Links
Alaska Distance Learning Consortium
Expanding Access to Equitable Learning
Options for Alaskan Learners
The Alaska Distance Learning Consortium (ADLC) is a component of the Alaska Reads Act that offers school districts the opportunity to unite and provide a diverse array of distance learning courses for their students. Diverging from other segments of the AK Reads Act, the ADLC pertains to students across all grade levels. As the pieces of the ADLC develop, the governing board is soliciting feedback and fostering collaboration with districts statewide to discern their needs and desires, determining the most effective ways to provide optimal support. In a significant milestone, the ADLC's governing board recently convened for the first time, marking the commencement of collaborative efforts to address the unique challenges faced by Alaskan learners. The board is actively engaged in crafting and refining a mission and vision that will steer the consortium's strategic initiatives.
At its core, the ADLC is committed to mitigating educational disparities by ensuring access to exceptional educators and high-caliber courses, transcending geographical barriers while capitalizing on digital learning opportunities. Concurrently, the consortium will emphasize cultural relevance, and foster course content reflective of Alaska's diverse cultural tapestry. In alignment with contemporary educational paradigms, the ADLC will integrate digital learning strategies to equip students with essential skills for both academic and professional pursuits. With a launch date of July 2024, anticipate updates as the ADLC works towards shaping a future where quality education is accessible in every corner of Alaska.
Please join us in recognizing the governing board members of the ADLC and congratulating them on their commitment to expanding educational opportunities in Alaska:
Amanda Adams – Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Laurie Beam – Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Jamie Burgess – Nome Public Schools
Nicole Fuerst – Kodiak Island Borough School District
Nicole Taylor – Annette Island School District
Richard Wilkin III – Yukon-Koyukuk School District
Emily Svedin - Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
Questions? Please contact project lead Emily.Svedin@alaska.gov.
DEED's Monthly "Coffee and Content" Event
Visit DEED's Coffee and Content webpage dedicated to these events. RECORDINGS will be available at the site. Listen at your leisure if you missed it, or it's there if you want to hear all of the information again. The webpage also houses a printable copy of the Coffee and Content Calendar.
TODAY at 4:00 pm, we will meet Denise Eide!
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Unalaska School District
School Spotlight
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This month DEED is highlighting Eagle's View Elementary in Unalaska City School District. Take a peek into their journey to reading proficiency through a two-year RTI/MTSS Refresh project with DEED, use of a Powerschool plug-in to help complete IRIP's, and how they've been awarded a DEED CLSD Supplemental Grant to use for after school support, decodable books, intervention materials, and literacy nights.
Eagle’s View Elementary’s Literacy Journey
Unalaska City School District is proud to teach diverse learners from all over the world. Close to fifty percent of our population comes to us from multiple countries and cultures. This is what makes our community and classrooms so unique among rural Alaskan communities.
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In August of 2022, faculty and staff of Eagle's View Elementary sat together to decide what we felt we needed most for our students to succeed. We talked about many things from after-school programs to different curriculum and even intervention options. We discussed the needs of multiple subgroups and the one thing that we all agreed on was the urgent need to get an RTI/MTSS program defined for our district and implemented. So, this became our focus.
With RTI/MTSS identified as our number one goal moving forward, we were able to apply for and become a part of the two-year DEED RTI/MTSS Refresh grant program. This helped us start to re-evaluate everything that was going well and what we needed to improve on. We used this opportunity and Alaska Science of Reading conferences to continue to learn, share, and grow together. We reached out to other districts to ask for help. Most importantly, teachers registered for courses to gain more knowledge and insight to what our kids need all on their own time.
As Reads Act legislation pushed us all to look deeper, we continued with the discussions both within our staff, and in the RTI/MTSS team professional development cohorts, to find what would most benefit our students but still be manageable for teachers and staff. Everyone on campus was and is still all in!
Then the opportunity to apply for the CLSD grant came up. We were excited at the prospect of being able to add to our ever-growing toolbox if awarded the funding. To our surprise, our grant was funded, and our focus continued to become clearer with each conversation. These funds in addition to the DEED RTI/MTSS Refresh grant, allowed us to move forward with providing after school tutoring, purchase decodable books and Amplify Intervention Kits, and host our literacy nights.
In year two, we returned with the intention of hitting the ground running with our RTI/MTSS plan. However, like many schools and districts out there we struggled to move forward with our plans with limited staff. We did not let obstacles get in our way. We worked to implement our plan and incorporate changes to our day. Our first change, was a 90 minute reading block across all grade levels. We restructured our 3rd and 4th grade classrooms to a departmentalized model allowing our teachers to focus on their strengths in order to deliver stronger instruction. We decided to add Heggerty into our Tier One instruction knowing that this would benefit all our students and begin to lay a stronger foundation of phonemic awareness across all grade levels. Amplify Intervention Kits were purchased to implement cross-grade level grouping for structured intervention time. We also devote more time to meeting the needs of our EL population through programs designed for language acquisition.
Yes, we were ready to do it all! As we began implementation we met regarding data and used it when making all decisions. We have hit a few roadblocks. Lack of personnel to have smaller intervention groups was one of our biggest hurdles, along with how we accomplish managing the paperwork. After a few weeks of struggle, we came back together and rethought our plan. We evaluated what we could control, and what needed to be adjusted. This was a hard meeting, but probably one of the best. We decided to rethink the how we would meet our goals and focus on what we could control.
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Letting ourselves off the hook for not having everything in place, allowed us freedom to brainstorm ways we could meet literacy goals in our school and move forward in a new direction. We discovered a PowerSchool plug-in for IRIP’s that follows right along with DEED’s template. This saves so much time on paperwork. We moved from the cross-grade level intervention block to grade-level and are working on perfecting the process before attempting to go cross-grade level again. Our after-school tutoring program started that focuses on our students with the greatest needs in small groups. We ensure all staff internalize that they are a very important part of our students’ learning. Even our custodian sits and reads with kids as seen in the photo above!
We are hosting Literacy Nights and inviting multiple community partners to come to share their own love of reading with our kids. The local library and radio station will partner with us on behalf of our students to talk about their favorite books to the community. We are growing and learning as educators to expand our own knowledge. But most importantly, WE are granting ourselves and each other the grace and mercy needed to continue to do what’s best for our students, even when our best laid out plans don’t succeed the first time.
Principal, Cheri Tremarco
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Has your school proven great success increasing student reading proficiency utilizing evidence-based curriculum and materials? Do you have something you are really excited about as an outcome of a shift to Science of Reading best practices? We are interested in hearing what amazing things are happening in your school to positively impact student reading proficiency and achievement. Please submit your story to the e-mail below. You may be chosen as the next school spotlight in a future edition of the Alaska Reading Newsletter.
Please e-mail your submissions or questions to: Jenn.Miller@alaska.gov
You can view the 2022-2023 School Year Alaska School Spotlights here:
https://education.alaska.gov/Alaska-Reading-Resources/alaska-school-spotlights
Great Things are Happening in
Bering Strait School District!
Thank you to Chief School Administrator, Susan Nedza, for sharing about their language and culture focus!
In Bering Strait School District we believe that we can improve attendance, improve school culture and improve academics (including READING) through promoting language reacquisition and local cultural ways in school.
Check out the inspiration below from Sivungaq (Savoonga). Language and Culture is one major focus of BSSD's Strategic Plan.
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Congratulations to Bering Strait School District on their hard work, commitment, and dedication toward reading proficiency for all students. We appreciate them sharing!
Great Things are Happening at
Arctic Village School!
Thank you, Arctic Village School of Yukon Flats School District, who shared their excitement about a recent literacy night.
Dr. Debbe Lancaster, Superintendent of Yukon Flats School District shared about the strong literacy work being accomplished at Arctic Village School. This was their first Literacy Night of the school year. They were excited to have 87% of their families attend. Teacher Coleen Maldonado did an outstanding presentation and successfully lead this first event.
Principal/Teacher, Dr. Mark Green expressed his appreciation in the following words, "I am so proud of our team....after last night I am also proud of our parents. We all " Showed up and Showed out!" I had parents this morning tell me they learned a lot and can't wait for the next event." Dr. Green also noted that Director of Academics/District Reading Specialist Matthew Stark's time, dedication, and efforts play a large part of their student success.
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 Arctic Village School has included this link to a short video that will tug at your heart strings. Teacher Dr. Roselyn Monter produced it with students to teach families. Enjoy viewing it! Arctic Village Elementary students.mp4
Dr. Lancaster mentions that Dr. Green and his team at Arctic Village School are working hard to move the needle on reading proficiency. She expressed how greatly appreciated they all are by their district and families!
Congratulations to Yukon Flats School District and Arctic Village School on their family engagement focus and the success of their literacy night event.
Alaska Educator Qualifications
a requirement of the Alaska Reads Act
For information about the Alaska Reads Act Educator Qualifications, please visit the DEED Educator Qualifications webpage.
Starting last school year, the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development worked to support Alaska Educators by offering FREE DEED-Sponsored professional development that meets Alaska Reads Act requirements for educator qualifications. The FREE opportunity for these courses may not be available past next summer. DEED will continue to offer as many seats as possible between now and then. Visit the DEED Professional Development webpage for information about courses.
Are you an Alaska Educator that has completed a DEED Alaska Reads Act approved course? Maybe you are wondering what to do next? DEED Teacher Certification has posted the Alaska Reads Act Educator Endorsement Form. This form has been recently updated to reflect NO FEE. If you've paid a fee already, you should receive a reimbursement.
Contact Teacher Certification (tcwebmail@alaska.gov or (907) 465-2831) for more information or assistance.
Notes From DEED's Early Learning Team
Fall checkpoints for Teaching Strategies GOLD are due November 30th. This is a requirement for Early Education Programs who want to qualify for 0.5 ADM.
DEED hosts a monthly statewide check-in with programs utilizing the observation-based statewide pre-elementary assessment tool every third Tuesday. The next one occurs:
November 21st 12:30-1:30pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81157282057
For more information, contact Supanika Ordoñez supanika.ordonez@alaska.gov
Understanding Alaska’s Early Education Program Standards and .5 ADM Approval. Does your district have an early education program or plan to start one? If so, register now for this five-part webinar series at The Alaska Reads Act: Early Education Programs webpage.
- Dive into Alaska’s Early Education Program Standards.
- Plan for documentation of high-quality early education programming.
- Familiarize the requirements of the 2024-2025 District-Wide Early Education Program Approval (5 ADM Funding) application.
Webinars are recorded and posted on The Alaska Reads Act: Early Education Programs webpage for later viewing. Upcoming Webinar Series Registration Links:
December 14, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
January 11, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
February 8, 10:00-11:30 a.m
Early Education Lead Qualifications update:
https://education.alaska.gov/akreads/Teacher%20Qualifications%209.23%20(2).pdf
Alyeska Reading Academy
and Institute (ARI)
Alyeska Reading Institute (ARI) provides free additional resources and support to schools and districts across Alaska.
UFLI manuals are available free to schools that would like to implement the UFLI program during the 2023-2024 school year. Request copies of UFLI manuals for your district or school today.
ARI is in the process of offering free UFLI training. If you or staff would like to receive training in the UFLI method, please fill out the form, and we will contact you as soon as training is available.
UFLI Reference Cards are here. Reference Cards work with the UFLI manual and provide access to the following:
- UFLI scripts for each section of the lesson
- Materials lists
- Expected time for each section
- Correction Procedures
- Reinforcement for Correct Responses
Each set includes 5 double sided reference cards on cardstock. They are a great resource for teachers to use as they become familiar with the UFLI method and routines, a resource for substitutes, and for those moments when a reference is needed. Request a set to go with your manual at the link above or download and print your own from the UFLI support materials folder.
Over 900 UFLI support materials, lessons, activities, and additional resources can be instantly accessed, downloaded, or make a Google copy as a group at this link.
Click to learn more about the Alyeska Reading Institute and how it can support your district, school staff, or provide students with free reading tutoring.
For more ARI information or support, please contact Melinda.Krise@alaska.gov.
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DEED Sponsored
Early Literacy Screener
The first Benchmark window has been completed, and many districts have begun using the data to implement progress monitoring.
Initial Training sessions and additional training are available on the Amplify/DEED partner website. It is required to complete the full Initial Training (6 hours) before administering the Benchmark and/or the Progress Monitoring tools within the literacy screener.
Contact Tracy.Parker@alaska.gov with questions.
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DEED sponsored Science of Reading Courses
Please visit the DEED Professional Development webpage for SoR course updates.
Contact Jenn.Miller@alaska.gov for assistance with
Keys to Literacy, NWEA for Administrators, or LETRS.
Keys to Literacy SoR Courses
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There is currently an open enrollment window for Keys to Literacy for Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 cohorts. This window will be open through November 27th.
Visit the DEED Professional Development webpage for the schedule and registration windows set for after November 27th. Keep in mind, if the cohorts fill with open enrollments, the registration window for the filled cohort will be cancelled.
Visit the Alaska Keys to Literacy website for more information:
https://keystoliteracy.com/alaska-reads-professional-development/
Note: Keys to Literacy satisfies Alaska Reads Act educator qualification requirements for both teachers and leaders. It is open to educators in Grades K-6. Please make sure you have reviewed your schedule and the DEED Guidelines/Expectations for Courses sheet prior to registering. Full participation and attendance is expected.
NWEA for Administrators SoR Course
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The NWEA for Administrators course opened for registration on May 8, 2023. Cohorts 1-4 are full and in session. Register NOW to try to get a seat for the last two cohorts.
Cohorts 5 & 6 will occur January 9–April 25.
The detailed schedule for virtual seminars can be accessed via the registration link.
https://dpdol.nwea.org/pl/sa/AK/AK_Literacy_LeadershipRegistration_Flyer_FY23.pdf
Note: It is recommended that District Leaders take this course, however Keys to Literacy and LETRS also satisfy Alaska Reads Act educator qualification requirements. Please make sure you have reviewed your schedule and the DEED Guidelines/Expectations for Courses sheet prior to registering. Full participation and attendance is expected.
Opportunities for LETRS training!
New LETRS Cohorts sponsored by both R16CC and DEED are underway! If you have not secured a seat, see the application link below to apply. To learn more or to apply for an upcoming LETRS training, you can also visit the Alaska LETRS Overview Guide at bit.ly/ak-letrs.
Upcoming cohorts: If you have not filled out the application form yet and are interested, please do that ASAP. Follow this link to apply.
Check out the new LETRS Alaska webpage at: https://www.lexialearning.com/alaska-letrs
Note: LETRS (ALL Units 1-8) satisfies Alaska Reads Act educator qualification requirements for both teachers and leaders. It is open to educators in Grades K-6. Please make sure you have reviewed your schedule and the DEED Guidelines/Expectations for Courses sheet prior to registering. Full participation and attendance is expected.
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Online Certification Program for
Dyslexia Specialists
Anyone who is interested in joining an OCPDS cohort must first attend a Preview Session. Please follow this link for the OCPDS Alaska Preview Session sign up form:
Topic: OCPDS Alaska Preview Session
Time: Dec 4, 2023 06:30 PM Central Time
(3:30 pm – 4:45 pm Alaska Time)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84927676444?pwd=mUZbsWJGfja6N3fZHj4T9S27IB6cjZ.1
Meeting ID: 849 2767 6444
Passcode: 874357
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