Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

The agenda for the multi-day meeting included comprehensive discussions on professional development topics such as the Alaska Read's Act Evaluation Report and Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant, and the Alaska Career Guidance Demonstration Project. Committee meetings were scheduled to cover Reading by Third Grade, Career Technical Education and Culturally Relevant Education, Closing the Achievement Gap, Educator Workforce, and Safety and Wellbeing. Other significant items included reports from the Mt. Edgecumbe High School, consideration for Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Charter School Approval, the Alaska Public School Trust Advisory Board Meeting, updates on legislative and budget matters, school construction and major maintenance lists, and the Alaska State Blue and Gold Ribbon School Recognition Resolution. The business portion included approvals for the appointment of a Museum Collections Advisory Committee Member and renewals/approvals related to charter schools and committee structures.

The Alaska Career Guide Demonstration Project is presented as a strategic initiative of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. Its primary purpose is to ensure every senior graduates with a clear, actionable postsecondary plan, contributing to an excellent education for every student every day. The project aligns with five shared strategic priorities, including supporting grade-level reading, increasing career and technical education, closing achievement gaps, retaining education professionals, and improving student safety and well-being. It leverages a structured advising model and existing state resources to achieve these outcomes.

This document outlines the Alaska Career Guide Demonstration Project, focusing on providing an excellent education for every student every day. It details five shared strategic priorities: supporting grade-level reading, increasing career, technical, and culturally relevant education, closing achievement gaps, preparing and retaining effective education professionals, and improving student safety and well-being. A key component is the Alaska Career Guide Model, which aims to ensure every graduating senior has a clear, actionable postsecondary plan.

This strategic plan outlines the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development's comprehensive efforts to improve literacy achievement for children from birth to Grade 12 across Alaska. Its main goals are to increase reading and English language arts achievement, enhance student engagement in learning, and expand educational opportunities. Key strategies involve implementing local comprehensive literacy plans, providing extensive professional development and coaching in evidence-based literacy instruction and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), and fostering partnerships with institutions of higher education. Anticipated outcomes include significant improvements in literacy assessment benchmarks for Pre-K through Grade 9 students, leading to increased proficiency and reduced numbers of struggling readers.

The primary issue before the board is the approval of the final annual priority lists of capital projects eligible for funding under the school construction and major maintenance grant funds for Fiscal Year 2027. This decision follows a review process mandated by state statute, where the Bond Reimbursement and Grant Review Committee recommended the adoption of these lists at its December 2, 2025, meeting. The administration recommends approving the final lists as presented.