In recent years, many states have implemented policies related to the Science of Reading in hopes of boosting student achievement. But how do you keep the momentum going after your state passes comprehensive early literacy legislation? If you’re the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, you host a Symposium.
During a state visit to Anchorage, our ECS team had the chance to attend the sixth annual Science of Reading Symposium — but the story doesn’t start there. The Alaska Reads Act passed with bipartisan support and was signed into law by Gov. Mike Dunleavy in 2022. ECS was proud to have supported these efforts by presenting the national landscape of state literacy policy and a landscape of related research on Science of Reading in the classroom as the bill made its way through the legislature.
“The Alaska Reads Act is opening doors for Alaska’s youth and laying the foundation for successful futures,” said Gov. Dunleavy. “Without a sound, proficient ability to read, students are left without the building blocks they need to take advantage of continued growth and opportunity, which is why the Alaska Science of Reading Symposium, and its mission of continued learning for educators is critical to the fulfillment of the Reads Act. Collaboration in the right direction, with an expectation of positive results, is the best path forward, and this is what the Science of Reading Symposium provides.”
The legislation established a comprehensive system of literacy supports across the state, with the overarching goal of having all students in the state read at grade level by the end of third grade. The Alaska Reads Act established for components to support early literacy in the state: District Reading Improvement Plans, also known as the district K-3 Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS); the Department Reading Program, which provides additional supports for higher-need K-3 schools; Early Education Programs designed to provide resources for districts with less access to early education and child care; and a Virtual Learning Consortium to make professional development opportunities and resources available to educators and families across the state. The Reads Act also provided for annual evaluation of the Act’s implementation, including insights on classroom educators’ qualifications and experiences as they implement the policies on the ground.
"Alaska's educators are the driving force behind the success of the Alaska Reads Act. The Science of Reading Symposium brings together educators from every corner of our state to strengthen instructional practices and ensure more students are reading proficiently by the end of third grade." — Dr. Deena Bishop, Commissioner, Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
As part of that effort to support educators in implementation, the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development launched the inaugural Science of Reading Symposium in 2020. The 2026 Symposium was attended by more than 900 educators and leaders from across the state – no small feat when the state is larger than Texas, California, and Montana combined. Sessions ranged from hands-on trainings focused on specific instructional practices, such as writing development and stages of learning, to larger keynote sessions highlighting the important role school culture plays in creating positive learning environments for students and staff. We heard from many attendees that this is a can’t miss event. It was remarkable how energetic the room was – you could tell as soon as you walked in that people were excited and ready to engage in learning.
We also attended a preconference meeting on the Alaska Native Tribal Education Compact, a newly created coalition of tribal education directors, tribal leadership, and state, local and federal advocates, intended to engage Alaska Native and Tribal communities and families in the state’s literacy work and conversations around the challenges and opportunities facing Tribal education in the state.
Every session, hundreds of education bills get enacted across the country. Whether or not they meet their intended goal often comes down to successful implementation and buy-in. The Alaska Reads Act wasn’t just another piece of legislation; it sparked a movement across the state that caught on from Nome to Sitka – and it shows no signs of slowing down.
