T7 Attendance Book

7/28/2019 T7 Attendance Book

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TITLE VII FAMILY TOOLKITEmpowering Native Students and Families in the

Anchorage School District

Title VII Indian Education 5530 E Northern Lights Blvd. Anchorage, Alaska 99504

Phone: 907-742-4445 Fax: 907-742-4585


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1. Introduction: You are Your Childs Best Advocate

2. Quick Tips for Helping Your Child Be Successful in the ASD

3. Attendance is Essential!

4. Getting the Most out of Parent-Teacher Meetings

5. How to Help with Homework

6. School Policy and Due Process

7. About Title VII

8. Glossary

9. Appendix: Parent Resources

No government policy will make any dierence unless we also

hold ourselves more accountable as parents - because government,

no matter how wise or efcient, cannot turn o the TV or put away

the video games. Teachers, no matter how dedicated or eective,

cannot make sure your child leaves or school on time and does their

homework when they get back at night. These are things only a

parent can do. These are things that our parents must do.

- President Barack Obama

Phone numbers and email addresses or your school can be ound atwww.asdk12.org/aboutschools. You can search or the contact inormation

o specic ASD sta by visiting www.asdk12.org/EmpSearch.asp.

You are Your Childs Best Advocate!Nobody cares about your child as much as you do.

That means that nobody cares more about their uture successes as much as you do. Andwhatever uture your child decides to pursue, their success will depend on one commondenominator: their education.

But your childs education is not conned to their school. It begins and ends at home, withyou. As a parent, you are not only your childs rst, and most important teacher: you are

their best advocate or ensuring the education they receive in the Anchorage School Districtmeets their needs. You know your child better than anyone, and you will be their voice untilthey walk across the stage at graduation. They cant succeed without you, so speak up!

At Title VII, we understand that the more you know about the District, the better preparedyou will be to advocate or your child. We are passionate about seeing all o our studentssucceed, and we want to equip you with the knowledge, support, and resources you needto become a positive orce in your childs education. To that end, weve prepared a ParentHandbook with guidance and inormation that can help you. Review it careully, andremember that Title VII is here to assist you. Education is a nuanced and oten complexprocess, so dont hesitate to call us with any questions or concerns that you have aboutyour child or their experience with the District. Consider us your primary resource!

We have a lot o work to do together. Alaska Native/American Indian (AN/AI) studentshave the lowest daily attendance rate and highest annual dropout rate o all ethnic groupsin the District, and more than hal o AN/AI students will not graduate rom Anchorage

high schools. Our students perorm 19 percentage points behind white students in reading,21 points behind in writing, another 21 points in math, and 32 points behind in science.Title VIIs teachers, counselors, tutors, and sta are committed to reversing these trends,and we are working to provide rigorousacademic support, cultural enrichment,and responsive and eective learningenvironments or our students. But noneo this will mean much i you, the parents,arent behind us. The most important thingyou can do or your child is to show themhow much you value their education.

Be proactive in your approach to yourchilds learning experience. Theyrecounting on you!

Table o Contents

Introduction


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Quick Tips or Helping Your Child BeSuccessul in the Anchorage School District

Recognize how your child learns. There is no Alaska Native learning style,however many AN/AI children work better in groups, and are more skilled in visual andnonverbal communication. The more you know about your childs learning style, the moreyou can inorm those that will be teaching them.

Communicate with your childs teachers early and oten. Dont wait untilreport cards come out or parent-teacher meetings are scheduled to nd out how your child

is doing in class. Call, connect through Zangle, meet ace-to-ace, or email teachers at thebeginning o the year to introduce yoursel and show your interest. Most teachers want tobuild a relationship with you!

Build positive connections with your childs school. Attend school eventssuch as sports games, concerts, back-to-school nights, and awards ceremonies. Bean active participant in PTA/PTO meetings. I your schedule permits, volunteer in theclassroom! You will nd the school is very excited to have you. Check your schools websiteor a calendar o events (visit www.asdk12.org/schoollist.asp?level=ALL to nd yourschools site), or call and speak to someone in the oce.

Set clear expectations or daily attendance. Dont compromise when it comesto getting your child out the door to school. I you need help with this, call or email yourschools Title VII sta person, or call the Title VII oce at (907) 742-4445. Also, be sure toreview the section o the handbook that addresses attendance.

Ask about school. As oten as you can, ask your child what they did during school.Dont take nothing or an answer! It helps to ask specic questions, like Who did youtalk to today? What was your avorite thing that happened today? What was your leastavorite thing?

Establish a healthy routine. Make sure your child gets 8 hours o sleep every night,and has a nutritious breakast each morning. The Anchorage School District can help withbreakast. Call Student Nutrition at (907) 348-5142, or visit www.asdk12.org/menus/rp.asp.You can also reer to the Parent Resources section o this booklet.

Keep good records. Document all communication between you and the schoolregarding your childs learning experience. This will help you remember who told you whatand when.

Know your resources.There are many local organizations here in Anchorage thatwant to support you. We have compiled a list in the Parent Resources section o thisbooklet. Parenting can be a tough job, so dont be araid to ask or help!

Know your rights. You have the right to ask any question o your childs teacher orschool that relates to your childs education. You also have the right to attend your childsclasses to see what your child is learning and how. Remember, as a state entity, theAnchorage School District is ultimately accountable to you, the parent.


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Attendance is Essential!

Regular school attendance is absolutely undamental to ensuring your childs success, bothduring school and ater. Without it, your child will not be able to progress. Think about allo the activities that comprise a regular day or your child: instructional time with teachersin literacy, math, and science; projects your child is working on; and goals theyre workingtoward. Each day builds on the day beore, so every day o school that your child missesdoesnt just mean missed opportunities: it means exponential diculty or your child asthey try to keep up with, or catch up to, their peers. And when students all behind, thedisconnect they eel can lead to other problems.

Consider the ollowing:

Chronically absent students...

are 3 times more likely to use drugs.

are 4 times more likely to exhibit low academic achievement.

are 5 times more likely to be suspended rom school.

are 6 times more likely to use alcohol.

are 6 times more likely to ail classes.

Instilling the value o education and regular attendance starts with you, the parent. Studieshave shown that, to be eective, any strategy to increase attendance and prevent dropoutshas to start with the amily. And setting a precedent o regular attendance starts early.Studies have shown that students who eventually drop out o school are absent more otenthan other students beginning as early as rst grade.

Its also important to keep in mind that your childs attendance doesnt aect just them.It can aect the learning environment o the entire school. Funding or schools is otendependent in part on the number o students who regularly attend them, so the more absentstudents, the ewer resources or present ones.

Heres what you can do to help ensure your child is on time to attendschool every day:

Set early goals with your child or excellent attendance. Explain your expectations clearlyand emphasize the importance o their education. The most important thing you can do as aparent is show support or your child and their teachers.

Make sure both you and your child get enough sleep. Even on weekends.

Provide an alarm clock or your child and show them how to use it.

Prepare outts, plan breakasts, and make lunches and snacks the night beore to savetime in the morning.

Create a place or coats, hats, gloves, shoes, and homework near the door to preventrantic last-minute searches.

Schedule medical and dental appointments outside o school hours and during schoolbreaks.

Dont ignore phone calls or letters home alerting you o absences. Follow up on anycommunication rom the school with both the school administration and your child.

I an absence is unavoidable, inorm your childs

school as soon as possible. Some schools require youto complete a orm indicating which days your childwill miss and why. Make sure you contact your childsteachers to arrange to pick up missed work either inadvance i the absence is planned, or the same day ithe absence is unplanned.

Remember, the Anchorage School District schoolstakes chronic absenteeism very seriously, and allAnchorage schools have a set limit on the numbero absences a student can have beore disciplinaryaction is taken and/or credit is withdrawn. The SchoolBoards new goal is a 90% attendance rate. Familiarizeyoursel with your schools policies by reading theparent handbook. Handbooks can be downloaded romwww.asdk12.org/parents/handbooks.asp.


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Parent-Teacher Meetings

Parent-teacher meetings can be a cause or anxiety, or both parents and teachers. Teachersoten dont receive the inormation they need rom parents about their students, andparents can be unsure o the teachers expectations or their child. Remember that both youand the teacher have a shared interest in the success o your child, so talk with the teacherearly and oten. Contact them at the beginning o the year to show your interest and letthe teacher know about any special needs your child may have. Your childs teacher will beappreciative!

Before you attend a parent-teacher meeting:

Think about what you want to learn. Write down what you want to tell the teacher,and prepare questions in advance. Some examples o questions you may want to ask theteacher include:

~ How is my child doing in school?

~ How much homework do you assign?

~ What is my child learning in your class?

~ Does my child use time well?

~ Does my child have missing assignments?

~ How well does my child get along with others?

~ How can I help my child succeed in your classroom?

Talk with your child beore the meeting. Askyour child what they think the teacher willtalk about and i your child has any specialconcerns. Talk with them about their likes anddislikes, what they have accomplished andwhat they struggle with. What your child tellsyou about the class will help you ocus onwhat you want to discuss with the teacher.

During the meeting:

Be prepared to take notes. Bring along a pen and paper.

Listen or specic details about your childs perormance. I the teacher has alreadyreturned graded assignments, ask how your childs work was evaluated.

Be prepared to share inormation with the teacher. Tell the teacher about anything yousee at home that relates to your childs learning: talents, skills, hobbies, study habits, and

any special sensitivities. You can help the teacher identiy ways to work more eectivelywith your child! Be sure to mention any major changes, like a new baby, serious illness,death in the amily, or a recent or upcoming move.

Dont be araid to ask questions! ASD has its own lingo, so dont expect to understandeverything the teacher says. Asking the teacher to pause and explain what they mean by aword or phrase can help clariy anything you dont ully understand.

After the meeting:

Follow up on what you discussed with the teacher. I you think o a question you didntask, call or send the teacher an email. I the teacher has told you that your child needs toimprove in certain areas, check back in a ew weeks to see how things are going.

Dont be araid to request additional one-on-one time with the teacher outside o parent-teacher meetings!

Remember, the more communicationbetween you and your childsteachers, the better your childschances o success in their classes!Dont wait or report cards to comeout to nd out how your child isdoing. Call or email your childsteachers regularly during the year andask what your child is doing right, soyou can praise them, and what youcan do to help your child do better.


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Helping Your Child with Homework

Teachers assign homework to help reinorce the material that students learn during theday, and to teach them to work independently and integrate the skills they are building inclass. Constructive homework assignments should always have a meaningul purpose, clearinstructions, and be matched to the childs abilities. The value o homework is demonstratedby the act that students who complete homework assignments tend to do better on testscompared to students who dont, and this advantage only increases the older studentsbecome. Homework assignments also provide an opportunity or you as a parent to gaininsight into how your child is doing in class: what they are learning, what their strengthsare, and what areas they struggle with.

Q: What is the right amount o homework or my child?

A: The right amount o homework depends on the age and skills o your child.

Students in kindergarten through 2nd grade generally benet rom 10 to 20 minutes ohomework a night.

Students in 3rd-6th grade generally benet rom 30 to 60 minutes o homework a night.

Students in 7th grade and up benet rom varying amounts o homework, usually no lessthan an hour each night. In high school, students should expect about an hour o homeworkper class per week. Students in Advanced Placement (AP) or other college preparatoryclasses can expect two hours per class.

I you are concerned that your child has too much or too little homework, talk with their

teacher to learn about the teachers homework policies and explain your concerns.

Q: How can I help my child with their homework?

A: There are many ways you can help your child with their homework!

At the beginning o the year, ask your childs teachers about their homework policies.This includes any rules or guidelines your child will be expected to ollow as they completetheir homework. You can also ask about what kind o work will be assigned, as well as thepurpose o the assignments.

Keep the line o communication open between you and your childs teachers. Ask theteacher to call or email you i any problems with homework come up. Let the teacher knowthat you will do the same!

Set a regular time and place or homework. Make sure that you or whoever is taking careo your child enorces study time. I you are not at home with your child, call to make surethat theyre on task. Find a place or your child to do homework that is theirs alone, even iits just a corner o the table.

Take away any distractions. Turn o the TV and any loud noise. Discourage your childrom using their cell phone. I you live in a small or noisy household, have a quiet time orother amily members. You may need to take younger children outside or into another roomto play. I distractions like these cant be avoided, take your child to the local library.

Identiy resources. Familiarize yoursel with the Parent Resources section o this book-let. There are multiple organizations in Anchorage with programs or initiatives speciallydesigned to help students with homework. You can also ask your childs teacher to tell youabout any help available at your school. Title VII, Title I, and Migrant Education all oersupplemental homework help services.

Be available. Many students appreciate having an adult with them to answer questionsas they work on assignments. Even better i that adult is you! Look over completed assign-ments to make sure that your child hasnt missed anything.

Read the teachers comments. Ater homework is returned, see what the teacher has tosay to make sure that your child has completed the assignment satisactorily.


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School Policy and Due Process

There are some Anchorage School District policies that apply to all schools. These areknown as School Board Policy, or policy that was written and approved by the AnchorageSchool Board. You can read School Board Policy Appendix A -- Statement o Rights andResponsibilities, at www.asdk12.org/school_board/policy. The statement enumeratesconduct that is prohibited in the Anchorage School District (including discrimination andbullying), as well as the types o sanctions and disciplinary actions schools can implementwith students who exhibit this conduct.

You should also amiliarize yoursel with your schools parent handbook at the beginning

o the school year. Parent handbooks include school guidelines, students rights andresponsibilities, and other school-specic inormation. Handbooks can be downloaded romwww.asdk12.org/parents/handbooks.asp. You can also request a copy o the handbookrom your schools oce.

Disciplinary action in the Anchorage School District usually ollows a chain o command,which means that schools try to solve student issues at the level closest to the problem.This is usually the teacher or principal. However, i you take issue with the way your childwas disciplined, or have any concern regarding your childs education, it is important toremember that you have a right to pursue it until it the issue is resolved to your satisaction.Here is how the process normally works:

1. Meet with your childs teacher frst to discuss the problem. This is whereregular communication with the teacher beorehand becomes useul. I you already have arelationship with the teacher, there will be less riction between you and solutions will becollaborative. However, even i you havent had regular communication with the teacher,

it is important to remember that both o you have a shared interest in your childs success.Approach the meeting with a cooperative spirit.

2. I you are not satisfed by your meeting with the teacher, schedule ameeting with the principal.Ask to see the schools discipline policy, or the policy thatrelates to your concern, and ask the principal to explain how the policy was applied to yourchild. Try to stay away rom talking about how you eel; stick to the acts and give as manydetails as possible (dates, times, etc.). (It is okay to explain how your child has said thatthey eel.) Try to elicit specic solutions. I the principal says something vague, or somethingyou dont ully understand, its okay to ask them to clariy.

3. I you are not satisfed bhy your meeting with the principal, schedule ameeting at the division level. There are two divisions within the Anchorage SchoolDistrict: Elementary (or elementary school students) and Secondary (or middle and high

school students). Phone numbers or each division are available at www.asdk12.org/depts.

4. I you are still not satisfed, schedule a meeting with the Superintendentto discuss the problem. Write down what you want to address beorehand, and takeany documentation and notes rom previous meetings with you. Again, avoid talking aboutyour eelings - which are subjective - and do not become emotional. Anger and hystericswill detract rom the case you are trying to make. You may want to take a riend or advocatewith you to the meeting.

5. I you are still not satisfed, you should contact the School Board.Remember that the School Board are publicly elected ocials, and as such are ultimately

accountable to you.

Be prepared to take notes during any and all meetings. When advocating or your child, donot eel intimidated by titles or personalities. It is the primary responsibility o everyone inthe District to ensure the success o your student.

For an illustration o how the chain o command works, you may wish to reer to the ASDorganizational structure at the beginning o this booklet.


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Alaska 2-1-1Dial 211 in Anchorage | www.alaska211.org2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember telephone number that connects callers, at no cost, toinormation about critical health and human services available in communities aroundAlaska. Most requested services include ood pantries, general relie, low income/subsidized private rental housing, rental payment assistance, and utility service paymentassistance.

Alaska Center or Resource Families (ACRF)(907) 479-7307 | www.acr.orgThe Alaska Center or Resource Families provides training, reerral services, individualsupport and inormation to those who are or are interested in becoming oster parents,adoptive parents, relative caretakers or guardians.

Alaska Childrens Trust Parent Line(800) 643-KIDS (5437) | www.hss.state.ak.us/ocs/ChildrensTrustGet answers to all o your parenting questions rom trained parent educators. The ParentLine is available rom 9 AM to 9 PM, 7 days a week.

Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC)(907) 330-8000 | www.alaskanative.netThe Heritage Centers Walking in Two Worlds program is designed specically to helpstudents at risk o dropping out o school due to high absenteeism, behavior problems,poor adjustment, or disciplinary action. Walking in Two Worlds sta members workwith these students, school sta members, and parents to put them back on-track tograduate. Services such as, counseling, tutoring, mental health and/or social services willalso be utilized as needed. ANHC also oers an ater-school High School Program, wherestudents choose rom a variety o courses that are based on Alaska Native cultures. Thisprogram provides a sae ater-school environment, a chance to interact with peers rom

other schools and to learn rom positive role models. Students and young adults can alsoapply or an ANHC internship to increase their marketability in areas such as museumstudies, collections management, retail sales, the economics o tourism, marketing, publicrelations, and other aspects o cultural tourism.

Alaska Native Justice Center (ANJC)(907) 793-3550 | www.anjc.orgThe Alaska Native Justice Center serves primarily as a bridge between Alaska Natives andAlaskas justice systems. ANJC understands that navigating Alaskas justice system can beconusing and challenging. ANJC provides services to all ethnicities, and integrates AlaskaNative culturally based advocacy programs and intervention initiatives necessary to assistin the resolution o legal circumstances such as divorce, child custody, sexual assault/domestic violence, minor consuming violations and adult prisoner reentry. Their goal is toassist you in the justice system, and to help you Find Your Voice and Find Your Way.

PARENTRESOURCES


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Cook Inlet Native Head Start(907) 433-1600 | www.cinhs.netCook Inlet Native Head Start oers parents opportunities and support or growth, so thatthey can identiy their own strengths, needs, and interests, and nd their own solutions. Theobjective o Family Partnerships is to support parents as they identiy and meet their owngoals, nurture the development o their children in the context o their amily and culture,and advocate or communities that are supportive o children and amilies o all cultures.

Fairview Community Recreation Center(907) 343-4130 | www.bit.ly/FairviewRecThe Fairview Community Recreation Center eatures a ull sized gymnasium, smaller youthgymnasium, weight room, dance/martial arts studio, arts and crats studio, two saunas,multipurpose room, industrial kitchen, and teen center. Call or visit the above website or a

current listing o classes and activities.

Food Bank o Alaska(907) 272-3663 | www.oodbankoalaska.orgCall or visit the above website or hours and locations o agencies oering ree mealservices in the Anchorage area.

Kids Kitchen(907) 274-8522 | www.kidskitchenak.comNonprot dedicated to providing nutritional meals or children at no cost.

Loussac Library(907) 343-2975 | http://www.muni.org/departments/libraryThe Librarys Ready to Read resource center oers parents o children three and underthe building blocks that they need to learn to read. Storytimes also oer stories and singingto get children excited about reading. For teens, the Library has a Teen Underground

exclusively or 12-18 year olds, which includes SMART Boards, iPads, a MacBook LearningLab, and a new teen collection. Students can also access live tutoring services or ree romLibrary computers. Call or visit the above website to learn more about the Librarys servicesor parents, children, and teens.

Migrant Education (Anchorage School District)(907) 742-4275 | www.asdk12.org/depts/Migrant_EdMigrant Ed is an Anchorage School District program serving students who travel outside theboundaries o the District to engage in seasonal shing or agricultural activities. MigrantEd oers school advocacy services, transition assistance, and support with housing, ood,clothing, transportation, child care, school supplies, health services, grie counseling, legalissues, and employment and job training. The program also sponsors amily activitiesthroughout the year, while oering swim lessons and lie vests in the summer, and summercamp scholarships or students who require extra assistance with their studies. Migrant Edstudents can also take advantage o secondary homework help, HSGQE prep classes, creditrecovery, and assistance with school transitions and graduation planning.

Alaska Native Medical Center Primary Care Services(907) 729-3300 | www.anmc.org/primary-careParents can call to schedule an appointment or their children with a behavioral healthconsultant and be seen the same day. Call or details.

Alaska Youth & Family Network (AYFN)(907) 770-4979 | www.ayn.orgAlaska Youth and Family Network is a non-prot organization oering a peer-run, peer-delivered service creating eective and inclusive behavioral health treatment systems orAlaskas children, youth and amilies. Through individual support groups, peer navigation,and parenting classes, they provide the support necessary to help amilies with thechallenges o parenting and understanding education and behavioral health systems.

Anchorage Community YMCA(907) 563-3211 | www.ymcaalaska.orgOers beore and ater school care at nine Anchorage elementary schools, instructional andcompetitive basketball leagues, teen services, swim lessons, soccer, day and residentialcamps, and special events throughout the year. Rates are based on income and nancialassistance is available.

Big Brothers Big Sisters o Alaska AlaskaNative Mentoring Initiative(907) 433-4600 | www.bbbsak.orgThe mission o Big Brothers Big Sisters is to help children reach their potential throughproessionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurableimpact on youth. The Alaska Native Mentoring Initiative program is designed to bothencourage and recruit greater numbers o Alaska Native children and adults to participate.

Child in Transition/Homeless Project (Title I)(907) 742-3833 | www.asdk12.org/depts/titleone/CITHA project o the Anchorage School Districts Title I program which provides servicesthroughout the Anchorage School District to homeless children and youth, includingenrollment assistance, transportation, meals, and school supplies.

Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC)(877) 985-5900 | www.citci.comCITC oers multiple resources or amilies and youth. Fathers Journey is a program whichhelps athers connect with each other to share parenting skills. It is especially useul toathers who are acing economic challenges, or whose amilies are involved in the childprotection system. CITCs Child Care Assistance Program provides nancial assistance toAlaska Native and Native American amilies in need o daycare services or their children.The Women, Inant & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program helps pregnant women, newmothers and their young children learn and practice good nutritional health. CITCs TribalAssistance or Needy Families (TANF) program can also provide temporary cash assistanceto amilies with children to help them become sel-sucient. Services include careerplanning, training and education assistance, child care assistance, and inormation.


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Que Pasa? Anchoragewww.quepasaanchorage.org | www.b.com/QuePasaAnchorageWhere teens in Anchorage nd events and opportunities! Que Pasa? Anchorage is run bythe students and sta at Alaska Teen Media Institute and Spirit o Youth.

RAISE Program (Southcentral Foundation)(907) 729-5015 | www.southcentraloundation.com/services/raise.akSouthcentral Foundations RAISE Program provides opportunities or on-the-job workexperience in the context o Alaska Native cultural values. Designed to develop leadershipskills in Alaska Native and American Indian Youth 14 to 19 years, RAISE oers threeseparate sessions per year: Summer, Winter and Graduate Programs. Each one exposesparticipants to health-related careers and the expectations o the workplace, whilesupporting them in both personal and proessional development.

SLED Live Homework Help(888) 888-6726 ext 552 | www.sled.alaska.edu/homeworkRequires a PC or Mac and internet access. Available as a service to Alaska students ingrades K-12 and intro level college students seven days a week rom 1 PM to 12 AM AlaskaStandard Time.

Spenard Community Recreation Center(907) 343-4160 | www.bit.ly/SpenardRecThe Spenard Recreation Center includes a skate park, gym, dance/martial arts room,racquetball courts, weight room, arts & crats room, kitchen, and teen center. Call or visitthe above website or a current listing o classes and activities.

STEP Center (Anchorage School District)(907) 742-3867 | www.asdk12.org/depts/stepThe STEP Center, a division o the ASD Special Education Department, is a disability

inormation and resource center or students, teachers and parents. Utilizing an extensivelending library and Web site, the STEP Center personnel provide a service-orientedapproach to problem solving and identication o community and ASD resources.

Stone Soup Group (SSG)(907) 561-3701 | www.stonesoupgroup.orgStone Soup Group is Alaskas amily agency supporting amilies caring or children andyouth with special needs. Parent Navigation is SSGs signature service, providing supportand inormation to amilies while navigating them through the oten intimidating andconusing system o services and resources. Parent Navigators are either a parent or amilymember o a child with special needs. They know the journey and know how to navigateamilies easily and eciently.

Mountain View Branch Library(907) 343-2818 | www.muni.org/departments/libraryThe Mountain View Branch Library oers a childrens section and ten computers availableor public use, with one specically or students. On Tuesdays the Library has a Teen Zonespecically or teenagers with video games and board games, and on Fridays the Librarysponsors a Family Movie Night. Preschool Storytime is on Saturdays. Free meals are oeredto children under the age o 18 during Wednesday and Friday activities. Call or visit theabove website to learn more about the Librarys services or parents, children, and teens.

Parachutes Teen Club & Resource Center(907) 562-2932 | www.parachutesalaska.comLocated in the Dimond Mall, Parachutes is a drop-in center or teens ages 13-18. Parachuteshas various activities such as video games, pool, computers, ping-pong, a small cae,special events and most importantly - caring adult volunteers who want to share their liveswith teens.

The Pathway Home (Southcentral Foundation)(800) 478-3343 | www.southcentraloundation.com/services/pathway.akThe Pathway Home is a licensed 30-bed, long-term residential program or adolescentmales between the ages o 13 and 18. The program, accredited by the Commission onAccreditation o Rehabilitative Facilities, provides rehabilitative, clinical and education onsite with emphasis on the strengths o Alaska Native culture and traditions. Services areprovided to Alaska Native and American Indian males who meet the criteria or severeemotional disturbance.

Programs or Inants and Children (PIC)(907) 561-8060 | www.picak.orgPrograms or Inants and Children, Inc. provides early intervention services or childrenunder 3 years o age with developmental delays or disabilities. PICs mission is to provideamily-centered services or inants and toddlers with special needs to assist them in

achieving their highest potential. Our vision is to improve the quality o lie or all inantsand toddlers with special needs and their amilies.

Project KiL (Title VII Indian Education)(907) 742-7873 | www.asdk12.org/depts/IndEd/projects/ProjectKiLProject KiL seeks to demonstrate the culturally responsive education or preschool to 5thgrade Alaska Native and American Indian boys results in higher academic outcomes. Ithelps parents, community supporters and educators meet the unique needs o Native boys.Project K oers regular amily nights, camps, and special activities. Call or visit the websiteor upcoming events.

Project Puqigtut (Title VII Indian Education)(907) 742-7873 | www.asdk12.org/depts/IndEd/projects/puqigtutProject Puqigtut is a high school success program or young Alaska Native and AmericanIndian students. Students are able to earn core credit through online coursework to get on-track to graduate or get ahead. Call or visit the above website or current course oerings.


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Title I (Anchorage School District)(907) 742-4496 | www.asdk12.org/depts/titleoneTitle I is a ederal program under No Child Let Behind that provides supplementary undingto improve academic achievement or low-income students. Funds are usually used tohire special teachers, aides, and tutors, and students usually Title I instruction in reading,language arts, or math. To nd your schools Family/School Services Coordinator, call or visitthe website above.

Title VII Indian Education (Anchorage School District)(907) 742-4445 | www.asdk12.org/depts/indedASDs Title VII Indian Education Program has sta in schools across the district whoconcentrate their eorts on academic assistance, counseling and cultural enrichment. Wereceive unding rom two sources: the U.S. Department o Education under Title VII - Indian,

Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native Education and rom the Anchorage School District orNative Education.

Thread(907) 265-3191 | www.threadalaska.orgRecognizing parents as a childs rst teacher, Thread understands that amilies wantthe best or their children including ensuring they have great care and maximizing theirdevelopment and learning potential. Free o charge, Thread provides amilies with anindividualized list o early care and education programs based on their specic needs.Thread also provides local CCAP services and parenting resources including ree ParentTALK workshops, nancial resources, and warm-line service.


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504 Plan - reers to Section 504 o the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discriminationagainst individuals with disabilities. 504 plans are developed or students who have adisability to ensure that they receive accommodations that will ensure their academicsuccess and access to the learning environment. In contrast to an IEP, 504 plans do notrequire specialized instruction.

506 Form - also reerred to as an eligibility orm, the 506 orm is used to enrollstudents in Title VII. 506 orms are ocial, ederal documents generated by the Oce oIndian Education. The number o valid 506 orms on le or our program determines theamount o unding we receive each year. I you have questions about your childs 506 orm,you can call (907) 742-4449 or visit http://www.asdk12.org/depts/inded/enroll.asp.

Achievement Gap - the disparity in academic perormance between groups ostudents. Nationally, Native students average two to three grade levels behind whitestudents in reading and math, and are more than twice as likely to drop out. You can learnabout the achievement gap in the Anchorage School District in this booklet.

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) - the minimum level o improvement thatschool districts and schools must achieve each year as determined under the ederal NoChild Let Behind Act. AYP is measured by students standardized test scores. Schools thatdo not meet AYP must develop improvement plans, and, i they continue to all short, mustoer supplemental services, school choice, and are ultimately subject to corrective actionand restructuring. You can learn about your childs schools AYP by visiting www.asdk12.org/NCLB/AYP. See also No Child Let Behind (NCLB)

Alaska Native Cultural Charter School (ANCCS) - a Pre-K through7th grade Charter School opened in 2007. The ANCCS incorporates active engagementwith todays Alaska Native community, and oers students a curriculum ocused on AlaskaNative culture. A lottery is used or enrollment, with a 200 student enrollment cap. You canlearn more about the ANCCS by calling (907) 742-1370 or visiting www.asdk12.org/schools/

ANCCS. See also Alternative School

Alternative School or Program - schools and programs in the AnchorageSchool District that oer alternatives to standard elementary, middle, and high schools.While instructional methods can vary, high standards are established and maintainedregardless o school structure or philosophy. Students, parents, counselors, or teachers maysuggest an alternative school or program, depending on student need and ability. To learnmore about your school options as a parent, visit www.asdk12.org/parents/choices.

Bureau o Indian Aairs (BIA) - a bureau o the US Department o the Interior,providing services to approximately 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives. TheBIA is responsible or the administration and management o 55 million surace acresand 57 million acres o subsurace minerals estates held in trust by the United States orAmerican Indian, Indian tribes, and Alaska Natives. The BIA also issues Certicates oDegree o Indian Blood (CDIB or CIB) showing blood quantum and tribal aliation. You cancontact the BIA Anchorage Agency by calling 1-800-645-8465 or visiting www.bia.gov.

GLOSSARY


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Highly Qualifed Teacher (HQT) - the term used by No Child Let Behind (NCLB)or a teacher who holds, at minimum, a Bachelors degree in the content area they areteaching, in addition to state teacher certication. NCLB mandates that our child be taughtby a HQT in core academic subjects (i.e., English, reading or language arts, mathematics,science, oreign languages, civic and government, economics, art [dened as music, theatre,and art], history, geography, social studies, and speech communications).

High School Graduation Qualiying Examination (HSGQE) - astandardized test administered to 10th grade students which measures perormance inreading, writing, and mathematics. Passing all three sections o the HSGQE is one o therequirements to receive a diploma in Alaska. Students who do not pass one or more o thesections will have opportunities to retest in the spring and all o their 11th and 12th gradeyears. You can learn more about the HSGQE in the Anchorage School District at www.

asdk12.org/depts/assess_eval/HSGQE.asp.

Gited Program - an Anchorage School District Program providing services andenrichment or students identied as academically or intellectually gited. To learn more ornd out i your child is eligible, you can call (907) 742-3794, or visit www.asdk12.org/depts/gited/ASD_Gited_Program.html.

King Career Center - an Anchorage School District program designed to introducestudents to various career elds with a hands-on curriculum. To attend King Career Center(KCC), high school students must be 11th or 12th grade standing with six or more creditsand be in the process o meeting graduation requirements set orth by their home highschool. Tuition is not charged. You can learn more by calling (907) 742-8900 or visitingwww.asdk12.org/schools/kcc. See also Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Individualized Learning Plan (IEP) - a legally binding document that spellsout exactly what special education services your child will receive and why. Each IEP must

be designed or one student and must be a truly individualized document. It creates anopportunity or teachers, parents, school administrators, related services personnel, andstudents (when appropriate) to work together to improve educational results or childrenwith disabilities. I you have questions about your childs IEP, or need or one, you can callSpecial Education at (907) 742-4236 or visit www.asdk12.org/depts/sped.

Migrant Education - an Anchorage School District program serving students whotravel outside the boundaries o the District to engage in seasonal shing or agriculturalactivities. The usual activity o amilies in the Anchorage area is shing and can be eithercommercial or subsistence. You can learn more about Migrant Education by calling (907)742-4275 or visiting www.asdk12.org/depts/Migrant_Ed.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) - instruction that prepares a studentor employment immediately ater the completion o high school. Although traditionallyassociated with auto-shop or carpentry courses, career and technical education programsrequently include a strong academic component and teach such cutting-edge skills ascomputer-aided design and robotics. Formerly reerred to as vocational education. See alsoKing Career Center

Certifcate o Indian Blood (CIB) - issued by the Bureau o Indian aairs, aCIB or CIDB establishes blood quantum and tribal aliation. To obtain a CIB, youll need todetermine what tribe you are claiming heritage rom and contact them directly to ascertaini you are eligible or enrollment. You can use the BIAs Tribal Leaders Directory to locate aphone number and address. Once you are enrolled, you will need to contact the BIA agencythat provides services to the tribe youre claiming heritage rom to request a certicate. Iyou have questions, you can call the Anchorage Agency CIB number at (907) 271-4477 orvisit http://www.bia.gov/FOIA/Genealogy/index.htm.

Charter School - see Alternative School

Child in Transition (CIT/H) - a project o the Anchorage School Districts TitleI program which provides services throughout the Anchorage School District to homelesschildren and youth. To learn more or determine i you are eligible, you can call (907) 742-3833 or visit www.asdk12.org/depts/titleone/CITH.

Cultural Responsiveness - education that recognizes, respects, and usesstudent identities and backgrounds to create optimal learning. Teaching methods that usereerences to a students culture help the student understand mainstream culture througha lens o recognition and acknowledgment. The link between culture and classroominstruction derives rom evidence that cultural practices shape thinking processes. You canlearn more about cultural reponsiveness in the Anchorage School District at www.asdk12.

org/CulturalRep.

Economically Disadvantaged Student (EDS) - students who qualiy orthe ree and reduced lunch program. See Free and Reduced Lunch

English Language Learners (ELL) - an Anchorage School District programdesigned to teach English-as-a-second-language and provision academic support tostudents who come rom homes in which a language other than English is spoken. Yupikis the th most common language spoken at home by students receiving ELL services. Youcan learn more about ELL by calling (907) 742-4452 or visiting www.asdk12.org/depts/ELL.

Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) - ree and reduced-priced meals provided bythe Anchorage School District or elementary, middle and high school students under theNational School Lunch Program and School Breakast Program. Nutritious meals are servedevery school day. To apply or nd out more inormation, you can call Student Nutrition at(907) 348-5142, or visit www.asdk12.org/menus/rp.asp.


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STEM - reers to science, technology, engineering, and math in education. Sometimesthe variant STEAM is also used, where the A represents art. STEM has been a recentbuzzword in education, partially in response to concerns that US students may not be ableto compete economically with other students in these elds due to insucient investmentin STEM education and workorce development. The America COMPETES Act is intendedto increase the nations investment in science and engineering research and in STEMeducation rom kindergarten to graduate school and postdoctoral education. You can learnmore about STEM in the Anchorage School District by calling the STEM Department at (907)742-4856 or visiting www.asdk12.org/depts/STEM.

TerraNova - a standardized test administered to 5th and 7th grade students whichmeasures perormance in reading, language arts, and mathematics. The results are norm-reerenced, meaning that students scores refect achievement compared to all students

who took the test nationally. You can learn more about the TerraNova in the AnchorageSchool District at www.asdk12.org/depts/assess_eval/Cat6.asp.

Title I - part o No Child Let Behind (NCLB). Title I provides ederal unding or schoolsto help students who are behind academically or at risk o alling behind. Funding is basedon the number o low income children in a school, generally those eligible or the ree andreduced lunch program. NCLB mandates that schools receiving Title I money must involveparents in deciding how these unds are spent, and in the reviewing process. You can learnmore about the Anchorage School Districts Title I program by calling (907) 742-4496 orvisiting www.asdk12.org/depts/titleone.

Zangle - a sotware program which houses virtually all student inormation, romvaccinations to transcripts, in one unied database. Zangles ParentConnect eature isan online module which allows parents to check school inormation about their students.Parents can use this tool to contact teachers, get class news and monitor their studentsassignments, attendance and grades. Parents can also have student inormation sent

to them by email. Parents need to contact their childs school or login and passwordassistance. You can learn more about Zangle by visiting www.asdk12.org/parents/zangle.

Native Advisory Committee (NAC) - an advisory committee to the Title VIIIndian Education Program and the Anchorage School Board comprised o volunteers whoare interested in improving education or Alaska Native/American Indian students, and arecommitted to the purpose o the ASD Title VII Program. You can learn more about the NACor apply to become a member by calling (907) 742-4445 or visiting www.asdk12.org/depts/IndEd/NAC.

No Child Let Behind (NCLB) - the name given to Congress reauthorizationo the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in 2001. NCLB mandates that publicschools receiving ederal unds must administer annual standardized to their students oraccountability purposes. Schools that receive Title I unding must make Adequate YearlyProgress (AYP) on test scores and other accountability measures (see Adequate YearlyProgress [AYP]). NCLB also mandates greater education choices or parents, greater localcontrol o schools, and an emphasis on evidenced-based methods. You can learn moreabout NCLB in the Anchorage School District by visiting www.asdk12.org/NCLB, or www.ed.gov/nclb.

Race to the Top - a competitive grant program unded with $4.35 billion rom theState Fiscal Stabilization Fund rom the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act o 2009(ARRA). Race to the Top supports states eorts to increase student achievement withour main goals in mind: using data to drive instruction, raising standards, turning aroundhistorically low-perorming schools, and improving teacher and principal quality. You canlearn more by visiting www.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop.

Response to Instruction (RTI) - a district-wide system that supportsadjustments in instruction to meet the needs o all Anchorage School District students.Through the use o RTI, parents will receive more requent inormation on their childsacademic progress and instruction, providing them with specic details about what theycan work on with their children at home. RTI was introduced to the Anchorage SchoolDistrict in 2006. The Districts RTI Implementation team is working to plan implementation

and proessional development or the RTI system in all ASD schools and programs. You canlearn more about RTI at www.asdk12.org/rti.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) - the process through which studentsenhance their ability to integrate thinking, eeling, and behaving in order to achieveimportant lie tasks. In 2011, the Anchorage School Board pass the implementation oSocial and Emotional Learning standards. As per its six-year plan, the District will beginimplementing those standards in pilot schools. You can learn more about SEL at www.asdk12.org/depts/SEL.

Standards Based Assessment (SBA) - a standardized test administered to3rd-9th grade students which measures perormance in reading, writing, and mathematics.SBAs are written specically or Alaska and are the oundation o the Alaska schoolaccountability system. Student perormance on SBAs is used to measure Adequate YearlyProgress (AYP) in accordance with No Child Let Behind (NCLB). You can learn more aboutthe SBAs in the Anchorage School District at www.asdk12.org/depts/assess_eval/SBA.asp.


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About Title VII

The Anchorage School Districts Title VII Indian Education Program serves close to8,500 Alaska Native and American Indian students. Thats 20 percent o the studentpopulation, making ours the largest Title VII program in the nation. We are richlydiverse, representing ten major Alaska Native and American Indian ethnic groups,

including Lower 48 groups like Navajo and Zuni.

Our program is unded by Subchapter VII, 20 U.S.C. Section 7424 o the No Child LetBehind Act (NCLB), rst authorized by the 1972 Indian Education Act. This legislationaddresses the historical legacy o low academic achievement among Native studentsby provisioning unds to ensure the address o their unique cultural, academic, social,and linguistic needs through supplemental services and programs. We receive aormula grant rom the Oce o Indian Education in Washington, D.C., the amounto which is based on the number o students in the District who are eligible or ourservices.

Resources

Many o the ideas and tips in this booklet are also ound in the ollowing:

Checklists & Tips or Parents: ED.gov

Working Together: An Education Handbook or Alaskan Native FamiliesCity Borough o Juneau School District

Parent Handbook: A Resource Guide or Parents and Guardians o American IndianStudents in Montanas Public Schools Grades K-12Montana Indian Education Association

Anchorage School District 2012

Documents

T7 Attendance Book