[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6359091,"mediaKeyId","2206832-522ecde7a55f8bcba8aef590c5f0747b","parentId",2206832,"title","DEED outlines CTE grants, certifications and traveling instructor model to subcommittee","audioSeconds",736,"startMs",3793000,"endMs",4529000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2206832-522ecde7a55f8bcba8aef590c5f0747b&start=3793&end=4529","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2206832-522ecde7a55f8bcba8aef590c5f0747b/thumbnail_3793000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359091/Alaska/DEED-outlines-CTE-grants-certifications-and-traveling-instructor-model-to-subcommittee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359091-4986b927cf69ed897e4f908ab62a8cfc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111683&Signature=L~Mt4gUWNdTvhLdvFNhkFLhg3tfCcDMK4D5wUnFWAmThouXcrEREun5BQqEFuT9FHaj38EemxgP4lBmnpjShhlNMo9BlOOk3gGNtT5QHIEAwQfxES7MOeVi2ESpFcecAlK7kyDJj3fFWjgBS3HY~iBHFX3LVuL-zaEr0ZODyhyT60tUe8f6MHph1EtJ9VlgBNrTbuDCgwD4Io0o~wpel77xppWb8V0mfASYnPnS0xVN2MtJsyYSrsadW3kq6BjXOjMUaXMorcJrStl6nN5Llg2H6A0QrS2zYqiXPtY7InoUYmlit5oM21iLkYJPop8S1Tw5LpSkB3J8VmV~IRJwFGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska State Legislature","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","The Department of Education and Early Development told the House Finance Education Subcommittee on Jan. 31 that it invested in career and technical education (CTE) grants, career guidance and credential pathways to support workforce readiness.

Bishop said the department received $1,500,000 in additional funds last year to support CTE student organizations and one‑time grants, with half of the grant dollars targeted to rural districts to purchase equipment and expand program offerings. The department also supported a computer coding credential pathway and reported 121 certificates issued in rural Alaska last year.

“We received 1,500,000 in additional funds, and we, supported career and technical student organizations,” Bishop said. She described the career guidance model developed with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and noted that the department aims to expand programs for plumbing and electrician pathways identified as high‑need occupations.

Bishop described one operational model for remote delivery: a traveling CTE instructor who spends concentrated time in multiple villages. She recounted visiting a welding program in the Bering Straits region where one instructor rotated through villages and students completed OSHA safety testing during short, intensive sessions. “How they've operated is... they do a project in each of those areas... that teacher shared with me that he has a couple weeks off, gathers the requirements and the and then he goes to the next village,” Bishop said.

Lawmakers asked about continued funding and district partnerships; Bishop said the department wants to expand grants and CTE programs with additional state general fund support in the next budget.

DEED said it will continue to develop standardized CTE program curricula (CTEPs) at the state level to reduce the burden on districts and to target investments where workforce demand exists.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Finance: Education & Early Development Subcommittee - January 31, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioner Dina Bishop said the department awarded CTE grants and supported coding credentials and a career guidance model; she described a successful traveling CTE instructor model used in Bering Straits for rural welding training.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Alaska, Alaska","taxId",78559,"location","Alaska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359096,"DEED tells committee cell phone restrictions, PBIS are part of 'safe and focused' learning plan",514,1802000,2316000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2206832-522ecde7a55f8bcba8aef590c5f0747b&start=1802&end=2316","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2206832-522ecde7a55f8bcba8aef590c5f0747b/thumbnail_1802000.jpg","/articles/6359096/Alaska/DEED-tells-committee-cell-phone-restrictions-PBIS-are-part-of-safe-and-focused-learning-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359096-7968558d0fb1271a46f545be7e8bc97a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111683&Signature=LvbV5Z-3sw0CFiE9d7Pr92p1xxq5KuQ-ikuaSl-vhrtD4fnlvnqzjshTrfXP~nG0JoFbf75VRZ1D0UABiVrNUn3fFkkTQh76~SZhOMfA0Shk-eXO9HIsGes9UHRWH0ynwdX1j8QHINRomOBRXr7QagNiWcpOcPDBuSj2mFkdx3v3o~SwCOMYqkK6yBtzTQEqtAFwll0M8nblt-zqTXl-EX8xX-2Hw9jXamXrvBV-EPsXahv665dr5dC99M8p8HzTYOaBQTk2R4ylfKFWDS3pfTRCghWP4hzVHwvY4PXzqvO3EdH1G2Qd1lyMaLhC~xRqet1tBxq6ymtCTVqCxlj-0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Education and Early Development told the House Finance Education Subcommittee on Jan. 31 that creating “safe and focused learning environments” will include supporting positive behavioral interventions and revisiting cell phone policies.

Commissioner Dina Bishop described PBIS — positive behavior interventions and supports — as an organizational approach to setting expectations and offering tiered student supports. “PBIS is positive behavior interventions and supports,” Bishop said. She told the committee that PBIS is largely implemented through district professional development and in‑school practices rather than as a turnkey purchased product.

On cell phones Bishop described growing bipartisan interest in reducing classroom distraction. “The research is crystal clear that cellular devices in schools, are taking the attention, away from students’ focus on learning,” she said. Bishop said every district currently has a cell phone policy; some districts have moved to stricter bans and she said the state board has asked DEED to create a model policy for school boards to adopt.

Asked whether a statewide policy could be imposed, Bishop said the department will produce model guidance and recommended practices but that local school boards would adopt policy at the district level.

DEED officials said there may be modest costs if districts choose to purchase storage pouches or other devices to manage phones; otherwise districts often require students to place phones in lockers or collect phones at school. Bishop said principals and boards have in some cases used discipline and parental engagement to support policy enforcement.

Lawmakers including Representative Hemshutt and Representative Bynum asked for counts of districts that have strict bans; Bishop said she would research and report back on which districts have adopted full bans and how policy changes have affected discipline and learning.

The department said it will provide model policies and guidance to local boards and continue to support PBIS implementation through professional development.","Commissioner Dina Bishop said the department supports model cell phone policies and positive behavioral interventions (PBIS) as part of maintaining safe and focused learning environments; DEED will develop guidance for districts.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359101,"DEED outlines governor’s education priorities and plans for data dashboard in subcommittee briefing",505,417000,922000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2206832-522ecde7a55f8bcba8aef590c5f0747b&start=417&end=922","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2206832-522ecde7a55f8bcba8aef590c5f0747b/thumbnail_417000.jpg","/articles/6359101/Alaska/DEED-outlines-governors-education-priorities-and-plans-for-data-dashboard-in-subcommittee-briefing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359101-a091c6f0a21942587439805ef7596b96/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111683&Signature=PjrLcSBAPrmTwunHbCR-AOHWvqy8vmCPGQHweI48ZCvMLw1T48Uoi0IeVunT07nhcMcuQX35O3TzigUUiTFOqXNSFjy8Y9F3R0N~vOjmr1ws9MtA1GYym6Q0vxGPKb1FryssP8nwYvg3YDt-2oXIE4PKevJbrPUGVfjbh7GYfyMr4cEtOt1AJ4T1IkvjG5Z6NjwAKxxexski6c8AioA7wqaa8iW0GLEji4CSRAVIUO2VGM5w~Q42Lzy0~vnMBA256p4iSYgun4XrdqOiNFLXleTxySDZ5HpkQQuu-CJ50f7i5mEVrNTSVx6vZ8jOwwIJgqYEng4HdzogJRwiL2NqaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Education and Early Development presented an overview of the agency’s mission, organizational structure and the governor’s education priorities to the House Finance Education Subcommittee on Jan. 31.

Commissioner Dina Bishop described three focus areas in the governor’s priorities: empowering families and students with educational options, targeting investments for improved educational results, and ensuring educational rights and safeguards. Bishop said those priorities are aligned with the broader five priorities of “Alaska’s Challenge,” the agency’s statewide strategy created in 2015–16.

Bishop told members the department’s executive and administration functions are funded primarily with state general funds. “These particular positions are all general fund by the state,” she said when asked whether DEED positions on the organizational chart were state funded or federally funded. Bishop and Deputy Commissioner Karen Morrison said the department has federally funded positions as well but that the administration positions are general‑funded.

The department also described plans for a modernized data dashboard to make student achievement information easier to find and analyze. Bishop said the dashboard’s purpose is “to modernize the data collection of the department” and to increase transparency so stakeholders can better monitor performance and accountability. She distinguished transparency from accountability: “accountability comes in the actions you take to be accountable to your goals,” Bishop told the committee.

Lawmakers asked for budget alignments linking these priorities to specific line items in the subcommittee’s budget book. Bishop said the presentation and accompanying materials show how priorities connect to programs and that the governor’s 2026 operating budget will be available for review. She also noted the department uses a mix of state general fund positions and federal funds for certain programs.

The subcommittee pressed for more detailed information about the department’s employee counts, vacancies and which positions are federally funded; DEED agreed to return with a breakdown of exact positions and funding sources.","Commissioner Dina Bishop presented the Department of Education and Early Development’s organizational structure, the governor’s three education priorities, and plans to modernize the department’s data dashboard to improve transparency and accountability.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359105,"State reports early reading gains under REEDS Act but third‑grade proficiency still lagging, DEED says",3248,993000,4241000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2206832-522ecde7a55f8bcba8aef590c5f0747b&start=993&end=4241","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2206832-522ecde7a55f8bcba8aef590c5f0747b/thumbnail_993000.jpg","/articles/6359105/Alaska/State-reports-early-reading-gains-under-REEDS-Act-but-thirdgrade-proficiency-still-lagging-DEED-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359105-85952c54169e13ef3f354562ab1b5d7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111683&Signature=Si7TisfmTFL4jLJHYnWpunYaLTrXbcX9z0aYtdP-KTEiWCr5S7t40mxJ-4DlCMkBpH8FvsXmjp2dnxA2MqOO6ivwpITJ1AMweg2nvGhXDxb8Eg-IJaAXKq31Ws~B-siL0~--QiPDMRDEEVMZ26fcLIgwipE6xoZp8XWeR7EkJtpJ9D1BxAK~XOL8nBx~vph6KPiegY3oE66M5QxFAHBmOL5cNtRwmKndyHc~jwmcylS0hp0fGKhJygkLczMjXxvAR1b7eCtabdTS14Vx7~W9ZQZycxOUFb~mTM3HHCzm~yw1vAH0CBT867sZCzPYpr06dn8A1o~KCHOk918OcgbMUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department of Education and Early Development officials told the House Finance Education Subcommittee on Jan. 31 that the REEDS Act and related programs produced measurable early gains but that third‑grade proficiency remains a work in progress.

“REEDS Act…all students should be on grade level by 3rd grade,” Commissioner Dina Bishop told the committee while describing the statute’s accountability features. Bishop said the law prescribes assessments and interventions and that the first year of statewide screening showed marked reductions in students classified as “well below” grade level.

Bishop said kindergarten showed the largest improvement, with students in the lowest category reduced by roughly 20 percent. On first grade she said, “at the end of the year, over 61% of our 1st graders had the skills and were assessed on the skills, the independent skills necessary to start 1st grade in a better place.” She added that second‑grade results also improved and that DEED outpaced national means in some grades.

By contrast, Bishop said, third‑grade reading improved less: “Once you get to 3rd grade, you are having more comprehension. The stakes get higher for you, and we did not, even with all of our efforts, move 3rd grade that much,” she said.

Bishop also updated the committee on the Alaska Reading Academy, a tutoring initiative established as part of recent reading investments. She said the facility never opened for in‑person tutoring this year and that much of the initial work shifted to remote tutoring and district‑run summer programs.

“The facility was never operated. It was planned to, to be built out,” Bishop said. She told lawmakers that the department redirected some purchased equipment and funds to districts for summer intervention and tutoring after in‑person plans were delayed by building inspections and weather.

The REEDS Act also requires district reading improvement plans and parent notification. Bishop said district reading coaches and participating districts received program support in the first year and that the department will continue oversight and programmatic work in subcommittee meetings scheduled later in the session.

Lawmakers asked for geographic breakdowns of reading gains and for clarification on which districts participated in the statewide screener; Bishop said two districts did not participate in the DIBELS‑8 screener this year and that DEED will provide more detailed, district‑level data on request. She said the department will continue to present REEDS Act program details in regular committee meetings.","DEED officials told the House Finance Education Subcommittee that early reading interventions reduced kindergarten and first‑grade reading deficits in the agency's first year of implementation, while third‑grade improvements were smaller; the Alaska Reading Academy facility did not open for in‑person tutoring as planned.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359110,"Alaska education officials describe staffing shortfalls, certification backlog to House subcommittee",2954,521000,3475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2206832-522ecde7a55f8bcba8aef590c5f0747b&start=521&end=3475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2206832-522ecde7a55f8bcba8aef590c5f0747b/thumbnail_521000.jpg","/articles/6359110/Alaska/Alaska-education-officials-describe-staffing-shortfalls-certification-backlog-to-House-subcommittee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359110-c04f5d34e6e09109cabcf0778e376837/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111683&Signature=evgGycxj41ihfQOj7yYZHPmlEsdxEprGatOz72nP04blhqaja7VTMokD~tWJAfNeK7OziHMH5PTk5yvOWUOhVnyy0fi2jC~Ul6tcpucjesqpSoHjMzhiuVaKivMZ-80OjcnS77VBpgot9RzWgjz-VFRPNLBry7RdnDl3D7~2DhQV5lV19LWDkErOx9a6DDR6tf4Nx5ixrXNqpOAL8RYBOAFK5NXL8AAR9OMXNTGwhw6zJLlrYNfi~P64qWkwlHpmogEA5vL4jkN-FYpqA3TYzl1O129U-HN5dWmHtuu2zYoQ7z8gU7Ors5OpXIxKf44JJ4NCUUokU4LPBj~0AUpccQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Finance Education Subcommittee heard Jan. 31 that the Department of Education and Early Development is facing persistent staffing shortfalls and a backlog in teacher certification processing.

Commissioner Dina Bishop and Deputy Commissioner Karen Morrison told the panel that about 300 people work for the department and that the department’s current vacancy rate is “about 13.3% at this time,” Morrison said. Bishop reported 598 “first‑day vacancies,” a metric the department tracks for contracts and staffing, and said 43 department positions are federally funded.

The staffing picture, officials said, is driving several department efforts: expanding the teacher recruitment and retention (TRR) playbook, launching registered apprenticeship pathways for teachers and principals, and creating a one‑stop Alaska Educator Recruitment and Retention Center (AERRC) to help districts with hiring and visa sponsorship.

“Teachers that are there have the application and all the qualifications to be certified. It’s just not processed,” Bishop said about temporary certification delays. She said an online move and a surge in applications created the backlog. Bishop told members the department’s goal is to process complete online certification applications within 30 days; she said current work has reduced the backlog to roughly eight weeks for some items.

Morrison gave the vacancy and funding figures during a question from lawmakers: “Our vacancy rate is about 13.3% at this time,” she said. Bishop said approximately 300 staff work for the department and later told the subcommittee there are 43 federally funded positions in the agency.

Lawmakers pressed officials on several fronts: whether bonuses and incentive payments target all job classes; how first‑day vacancy counts compare across urban and rural districts; and whether teacher bonuses or national board certification stipends are funded. Bishop said bonuses tied to recruitment and retention are aimed at classroom teachers and that some elements of last year’s House Bill 230 regulations are out for public comment. She said a separate regulatory package for another national board‑certification payment remains in process but was not funded in the governor’s budget.

Bishop described steps to streamline certification and reduce delays: moving from paper to online applications, adding customer‑service staff, increasing webinar support for districts, and hiring additional staff to enter and troubleshoot certification records. She said the department has extended the period teachers can work while certification is pending: “We extended 90 to 150 days,” and added the long‑term goal of returning processing to the 30‑day target.

The AERRC will also support districts that hire internationally and seek visa sponsorships. Bishop said many international hires — including teachers from the Philippines — have advanced degrees and years of experience and that some rural communities report strong community engagement from international teachers.

Several lawmakers asked for more data: district‑level vacancy counts, the share of vacancies that are newly created positions versus unfilled existing jobs, and exit‑survey findings explaining why educators leave. Bishop said the department is implementing a teacher exit and stay survey and will provide additional data to the committee.

The subcommittee scheduled further budget review sessions and invited Bishop to return for additional questions later in the week.","Department of Education and Early Development officials told the House Finance Education Subcommittee that teacher and staff vacancies remain high, certification processing is backlogged, and the state is expanding recruitment and apprenticeship programs to address shortages.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

DEED outlines CTE grants, certifications and traveling instructor model to subcommittee

DEED tells committee cell phone restrictions, PBIS are part of 'safe and focused' learning plan

DEED outlines governor’s education priorities and plans for data dashboard in subcommittee briefing

State reports early reading gains under REEDS Act but third‑grade proficiency still lagging, DEED says

Alaska education officials describe staffing shortfalls, certification backlog to House subcommittee