The Alaska Reads Act established a Department Reading Program within Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) beginning July 1, 2023. A major component of the Department Reading Program is the hiring and training of Reading Specialists.  DEED is tasked with training the DRP DEED Reading Specialists, so they are equipped with the necessary skills to assist and coach participating schools to improve student reading. Additionally, in accordance with Alaska’s ESSA Plan and state regulations, schools identified as the lowest 5% are to receive additional state provided supports to build capacity and improve their schools using root-cause analysis. This has been achieved through the hiring and training of DEED Empowerment Specialists, who work directly with identified schools and district personnel. DEED desires a consistent approach to coaching districts across all teams at the department. 

The Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), Division of Innovation and Education Excellence, is soliciting proposals for a vendor to develop and deliver virtual or face-to-face professional learning experiences for department employees and/or administrators, as well as provide differentiated, sustained technical assistance as needed. The contractor will also assist DEED in developing a framework for virtual coaching support for multiple levels including classroom level support, school leadership, districts, and state department level.  Utilizing the student focused coaching model for professional development, train new department employees both virtually and in person on collaborative problem solving, implementing protocols, goal setting, and how to create differentiated professional learning based on a school’s academic goals and needs. Building on the current structure, work to develop and implement systems of how employees at the department can support educators and districts virtually using a partnership approach to enhance student learning.

Please see attached documents for more information.