Are you looking for free professional development that meets the required foundational reading skills addressed in the Alaska Reads Act?
Keys to Literacy is an approved provider by the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development to provide a free professional development course that meets these requirements. Click here to learn more about Alaska Reads.
About the Professional Development Course
Between April, 2023 and June, 2024, Alaska K-3 educators can participate in a hybrid-online course titled Keys to Beginning Reading that totals 46 hours. Participants spend approximately 36 hours completing modules in an asynchronous online course and attend five, two-hour, virtual-live meetings facilitated by Keys to Literacy trainers (totaling 10 hours). The course is organized into five sections — participants complete a 6- to 8-hour section of the online course prior to attending each 2-hour, virtual-live meeting that addresses the content of that part of the course. Participants access the self-paced online course content via readings, videos, quizzes, and reflection activities. They share some of their reflection activities during the virtual-live facilitated meetings.
In order to receive credit for completing the course and meet the required foundational reading skills addressed in the Alaska Reads Act, participants must complete the full online course and attend all five virtual-live meetings. In cases of emergency or illness, participants may miss one of the five meetings, but must agree to watch a recording of the session that was missed, facilitated by Alaska DEED during one monthly opportunity to make it up. This does not apply to conflicts in schedule. Participants must also complete a pre-assessment at the start of the course, and complete and pass a post-assessment at the end of the course. Participants can reference content in the online course as they take the post-assessment, and if they do not pass on the first try, they can take the assessment one more time.
Graduate Credit through the University of Alaska will be available (3 credits for $119). Information will be made available to people registered in the course.
Click here for an information document about this Alaska Reads course.
Who can take the course?
The following educators are eligible to register for this course:
- Any grades K-3 educator (including special education and ESL/ELL teachers responsible for reading instruction or intervention) should complete the course.
- Administrators who work with grades K-3 students and educators can attend this course or an alternative course offered by AK DEED specific to administrators
When will the courses be offered?
Multiple cohorts of up to 37 participants will be scheduled throughout the coming year. We are offering multiple scheduling options that include shorter and longer time-frames for completing the course in order to meet different scheduling needs and learning styles. Registration will be on a first come, first served basis. When you complete the application process, you will be asked to select a first, second and third choice for a cohort. Once enrolled in a cohort, you may not switch into a different cohort. Educators must register as individuals; however, connect with your school district administrator to find out when others in your district are planning on taking the course.
Registration is now open for the following:
Click here to complete a Google application form for courses that will run from June through August, 2023. The Tuesday and Wednesday cohort schedules below reflect an accelerated pace with only one or two weeks between the five, 2-hour facilitated meeting sessions. The more intensive cohort meets twice per week (Monday and Thursday) for their 2-hour facilitated meeting sessions. In order to start the online course the week of May 22nd, participants have until May 12th to complete registration. Online courses will be activated by May 22nd for these accelerated cohorts. Spaces are limited and applications will be processed on a first-come, first served basis. Participants must commit to completing the course and log in to the online course within 3 days of receiving confirmation. Please do not email or call about the status of your registration. If we have an available spot for you, we will contact you from online@keystoliteracy.com. Once all cohorts are filled we will send an email to all eligible individuals that are on the waitlist.
Please note that we will soon be posting additional course schedules that will run in Fall 2023. Use the registration link only if you are interested in one of the following June through August courses.
Cohort #1: Mondays and Thursdays, 8:30-10:30 AM (AK): (INTENSIVE: This cohort meets twice per week) Complete the first section of the online course and take a pre-course assessment prior to the first meeting. Virtual Meeting Dates: June 12, June 15, June 19, June 22, June 26 *This course is FULL*
Cohort #2: Tuesdays, 8:30-10:30 AM (AK): Complete the first section of the online course and take a pre-course assessment prior to the first meeting. Virtual Meeting Dates: June 6, June 20, July 6 (Thursday because of July 4th), July 18, August 1 *This course is FULL*
Cohort #3: Wednesdays, 8:30-10:30 AM (AK): Complete the first section of the online course and take a pre-course assessment prior to the first meeting. Virtual Meeting Dates: June 7, June 21, July 5, July 19, August 2 *This course is FULL*
Questions? Email Keys to Literacy at online@keystoliteracy.com or call us: 978-948-8511
Information for Spring, 2023 Participants
If you were part of the cohorts that are completing the course between February and August, 2023, please contact Keys to Literacy if you have a question. Please remember the following requirements that are required to receive a certificate of completion: take the pre-assessment, complete the full online course, attend all five debrief meetings, and take and pass the post-assessment. Keys to Literacy will contact you when the course is completed with information about your certificate.