Reading for Life

A: The state of Alaska enacted a new law and requirements for school districts with the ultimate goal of helping all students learn to read by the end of third grade. The Alaska Reads Act has new teacher training and certification requirements, curriculum adjustments for school districts, new reading assessments to gauge students’ progress and additional outreach requirements for schools to communicate with families, among other things.

While there are many pieces of the law, there are a couple of notable items for parents.

1. There will be improved communication between the teachers and parents so they can work together to support a child’s reading.

2. All schools are required to submit a plan and use a "Science of Reading" approved curriculum. For most ASD schools this is called Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA). It helps students develop skills to not only code and pronounce words, but also to understand what they’re reading and discuss it with others. Families of students in alternative programs and charter schools are encouraged to reach out to the school if unsure of their school's specific reading program.

3. The state law requires all teachers be certified in the science of reading. Many ASD teachers are already skilled in this and the certification will serve as a refresher of best practices. There is time for teachers to take the required training and certification testing as the requirement doesn’t fall into place until 2025.

A: Reading proficiency is foundational for students' academic journeys, future opportunities and overall success. Research shows that students who aren’t proficient readers by the end of third grade are more likely to drop out of high school and are less likely to be able to find a job that will support their families. Students who are able to read proficiently by the end of third grade are on track to not only excel academically, but also unlock a world of possibilities for their futures.

A: The Alaska Reads Act focuses on helping all students read by the end of third grade. Teachers are using a new reading curriculum that focuses on the science of reading and students will take a new assessment to gauge their progress throughout the year. While the state law comes with a number of requirements, one of the biggest things that parents will notice is that they’ll receive more information about their child’s reading progress and learn how to be more involved in supporting their child at home and at school. Schools are able to provide additional opportunities to help students who are struggling in reading. What this looks like will differ, based on school and student needs. 

A: Overall, one of the biggest things that parents will notice with the new Alaska Reads Act is that they’ll receive more information about their child’s reading progress and learn how to be more involved in supporting their child at home and at school.

There will be at least one piece of information that goes home every single day, so parents will be able to see what students are learning, both in their skills and their knowledge. For example, later this year, first graders are going to learn about the War of 1812. If a parent doesn’t know about the War of 1812, there will be a letter going home that summarizes the War of 1812 and gives parents some tips on what they can ask their child in order to have a conversation with them about what they’re learning in class. The purpose is to provide information to help parents support their child’s reading at home.

A: All K-3 students will take a new reading assessment three times per year – fall, winter and spring. This assessment, called mCLASS DIBELS 8, will help gauge a student’s progress toward reading proficiency. All K-3 parents will receive a report of their child’s results. The report is called the mCLASS Home Connect Report. Parents of students in grades 1-3 who scored “well below” reading proficiency levels will receive an additional letter outlining the next steps the district, teacher and parents will take together to help improve reading skills. Some parents of students in grades K-3 may also receive this letter based on individual student needs.

Watch this brief video to learn how to read and understand the Home Connect Report.

All parents are encouraged to attend parent conferences from October 25-26 to learn more about their child’s progress in school and their reading proficiency. Families are encouraged to reach out to their child’s teacher if they are unable to attend conferences.

A: The best thing a parent can do for their young child is to read to them. It’s just as important to read to a child as it is to ask a child to read by themselves. If a parent isn’t comfortable reading out loud, try turning on a book on tape, but listen to it together. Any time there is a literacy opportunity at home, it benefits everyone.