Education
Overview
Every student deserves an inclusive, individualized education that prepares them for life. Whether you're preparing for school, planning for life after graduation, or advocating for inclusive classrooms, this section connects you to tools, programs, and partners for supporting education across a lifetime.
Navigating Systems
Understand how to support your loved one from early education to adult transition.
Infant Learning Program (ILP)
Infant Learning Program (ILP)
The Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) advises the ILP, which supports Alaska’s infants and toddlers with developmental delays. They have a specific focus on early developmental supports, coordinated services for families, and promoting inclusive early childhood practices.
Special Education Service Agency (SESA)
Special Education Service Agency (SESA)
SESA provides expert consultation and training to support students with low-incidence disabilities. GCDSE provides governance and strategic oversight for SESA.
- Anne Freitag Library: The Anne Freitag Library supports all of the programs and grants housed at SESA by providing materials, assistive technology and information.
- Educational Materials & Tools
- Deaf Education Tools
- Technical Assistance
Special Education (SPED) Program
Special Education (SPED) Program
The Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP) advises the Alaska Department of Education & Early Childhood Development (DEED) on special education policies affecting students with disabilities. SEAP provides input on education services and outcomes, compliance with IDEA, and State priorities and strategic plans.
Stone Soup Group
Stone Soup Group
Stone Soup Group exists to sustain the health and well-being of Alaskan children with special needs and their families. Through listening to the stories of families, we identify areas of need and work with communities to find solutions.
Families statewide will be empowered to make informed decisions that will ensure every child who experiences special needs receives long-term, quality, coordinated care, and family support.
Life After High School
Whether planning for college, employment, or daily living, these tools help youth and families take the next step.
Transition & Daily Living Curriculum
Build skills in money management, communication, self-advocacy, and community navigation.
- Rural Alaskan Post-Secondary Transition Skills Curriculum: This guide is the result of a 2023-24 pilot with Teachers in rural Alaskan communities and shows how to use the Alaskan Cultural Standards, Alaska Native regional values, discovery-based assessments, and community perspectives in transition planning.
- See Employment Section
Guardianship Options
Legal Rights & Tools
Inclusive Practice Awards
The Inclusive Practice Awards honor outstanding educators who work to ensure students with disabilities have the opportunity for inclusive education with their peers as part of the general education curriculum and school community. Whereas numerous educators deserve recognition for a multitude of reasons, the focus of these awards is exclusively on exemplary inclusive practices.
Award Categories
- Inclusive Practice Award: For educators or teams who model exemplary inclusive education practices
- Paraeducator of the Year: For paraprofessionals who provide outstanding classroom support
Nominees Should:
- Involve families as equal education partners
- Promote meaningful peer inclusion
- Modify curriculum or supports for general education access
Nominate Someone
Nomination form for 2025-2026 will be posted here once the nomination window opens.
- Questions? Contact Elena Markova by phone at 907-269-8462 or email elena.markova@alaska.gov
2024-2025 Award Winners
- Paraeducator of the Year
- Inclusive Practices Educator of the Year
- Inclusive Practices Team of the Year
Alicia Rodarte-Gouldin | Mountain View Elementary (Kenai, AK)
“Ms. Rodarte-Gouldin’s unwavering dedication, compassion, and professionalism have made a profound impact on some of the school’s most vulnerable students. She works daily with children who have significant needs, managing physically and emotionally demanding situations with remarkable patience and resilience,” the school district said in a press release. “Ms. Rodarte-Gouldin provides a balance of firm guidance and unconditional support, ensuring that every child she works with feels valued and empowered to succeed.”
- Author: Nick Sorrell | January 10, 2025
Winter Marshall-Allen | Homer High School (Homer, AK)
“Now I’ve been in Alaska for 10 years and I’ve seen a variation of educational implementation. I’ve seen what restorative justice practices look like. I’ve seen what zero-tolerance harm can be. I’ve seen what trauma response can be in a positive way, and I have also seen it weaponized by school resource officers.”
Marshall-Allen credits all of these experiences for shaping her perspectives and helping push her to become a special education teacher and engaged, active community member.
- Author: Chloe Pleznac | January 31, 2025
Chugiak High School Life Skills Team | Chugiak High School (Chugiak, AK)
Members: Kaleb Kuehn, Suzy Bick, Jonnie Snell, Julia Gray, Kim Robuck, Keelie Wyrick
“We’re thrilled to announce that the Chugiak High School Life Skills Team has been named the recipient of the Inclusive Practices Team Award for the 2024-2025 school year!
This prestigious award recognizes the team’s outstanding work in supporting children in special education and their families. The award was presented at the Alaska State Special Education Conference (ASSEC).
We are so proud of our staff, students, peer mentors, our community and their dedication and commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others!”
- Author: Chugiak Partners Club | February 05, 2025