Alaska Department of Education Abstract

Contact: Naomi K. Obie, Project Director
Alaska Department of Education
and Early Development
801 West 10th Street
Suite 200
Juneau, AK 99801-1894
(907) 465-8728
naomi_obie@eed.state.ak.us

Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

Application Number : R215V980023
Project Period : 7/1/98–6/30/01
FY 1998 Award : $320,000
FY 1999 Award : $290,000
FY 2000 Award : $290,000

The purpose of this project is to develop strategies for implementing character education in Alaska. It has four objectives:

Objective 1-Establish a Character Education Partnership. The Alaska Character Education (ACE) Partnership is a joint effort sponsored by the Alaska Department of Education, the Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB) and the Alaska Parent Teachers Association (AKPTA). Two initial pilot sites are in operation, the Chugach School District and the Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) School District. Beginning in January 2000, the Kodiak Island Borough School District will join the state partnership. Through the efforts of the ACE partners, character education programs are being established in Alaska. Building on the Quality Schools Initiative, Alaska's plan for school reform, the Alaska Character Education Partnership features content related to Alaska's citizenship and healthy life skills standards, quality professional development, community involvement, and support for the school excellence standards.

Objective 2-Develop pilot sites. In true Alaskan fashion, ACE is using a number of vehicles to accomplish its mission. The pilot sites use a variety of strategies to impact not only classroom instruction, but also school and community climate. Activities address student content standards in the areas of health, social studies, and employability. Each site also conducts professional development for teachers and seeks to achieve high quality community involvement, though the activities used to achieve these ends differ.

Objective 3-Involve the communities. AASB and AKPTA have actively reviewed their ongoing programs for members and incorporated character education concepts and skills. AASB's Youth Advocate has been actively training local community members in the ASSETS Program; it has also trained additional trainers to help implement the program. The newest partner, the Kodiak School District, is focusing on providing ASSETS-based activities within its village schools.

Objective 4-Disseminate information. Information about the various partner initiatives has been shared within the partnership and with a limited number of other entities. The partners are now reaching the stage that they are ready to tell a broader audience of their development challenges, current status, and successes. A joint publication will be developed by the end of the program year, with revised plans that encourage visitation with partner sites and interaction with the partner organizations.

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