Supporting Early Literacy and Family Engagement: AASB Toolkits Help Districts Address Alaska Reads Act Requirements

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Resources for Implementing Alaska Reads Act Literacy Goals and Enhancing Family Partnerships

Lisa X’unyéil Worl, Partnerships Coordinator

The Alaska Reads Act, signed into law in June 2022, mandates significant steps to improve early literacy outcomes. Key among these is the requirement for districts to develop comprehensive District Reading Improvement Plans (DRIPs), essentially outlining their K-3 Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for reading. However, this mandate arrived without funding, placing additional strain on district budgets already impacted by inflation.

Recognizing this challenge and the critical importance of both early literacy and strong family-school partnerships, the Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB) has taken proactive steps. Through our Conditions for Learning team, working within the Alaska Family Engagement Center (AFEC) project, and in direct response to requests from district partners, we developed practical tools to help districts meet Alaska Reads Act requirements while simultaneously strengthening family engagement in literacy.

Research shows that students who struggle with reading struggle in other academic areas, and struggling readers also suffer socially and emotionally.1 Regarding family engagement, “Perhaps the most inspiring finding is that family involvement is a more accurate predictor of student achievement than family income or socioeconomic status.”2

To address these interconnected needs, AASB’s Conditions for Learning staff created three distinct Family Reading Night toolkits. These comprehensive kits are designed for easy implementation and include:

  • Books suitable for diverse learners.
  • Reading kits with practical planning guides, templates, event scripts, and promotional flyers.
  • Presentation slides, activity ideas, and event materials.
  • Follow-up activities for families to continue learning and playing at home.
  • Strategies for building sustainable school-family partnerships focused on literacy.

Initially developed for AFEC grant partners, these instructional and activity guides  are now available for any district seeking effective, low-cost ways to host engaging family reading events.

Impact and Reach (2024-2025 School Year):

The Family Reading toolkits have already demonstrated significant success in helping schools build parental capacity in literacy, a key component of the Alaska Reads Act.

  • 60 schools across Alaska utilized the toolkits.
  • 42 family reading and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) nights were hosted.
  • 2,842 families participated, including 1,235 parents and 1,607 students.
  • Toolkit themes addressed diverse needs: Culturally Responsive/Place-Based Learning, Wordless Books, and Social-Emotional Learning.
Kaxdiguwoo Héen Elementary teacher leads a reading activity during a Family Friday event, Spring 2025.

A Practical Example: Kaxdigoowu Héen Elementary

Kaxdigoowu Héen Elementary in Juneau provides a compelling example of the toolkits in action. Their “Family Fridays,” inspired by local educators, bring students and families together. Reading Interventionist Shawna Puustinen notes, “[These events help families] learn something new together. Because that is what being a school family is all about.”³ The school successfully hosted families using the Family Reading SEL toolkit, featuring the book Howling for Huskies and Other Ways to Feel Good by Dr. Linda Chamberlain, engaging over 300 students across three reading nights and fostering a strong sense of school community.

Supporting Alaska’s Districts

AASB remains committed to supporting districts in implementing best practices for literacy and building robust family-school relationships – crucial levers for improving student outcomes. Our grant-funded work allows us to develop, pilot, and refine resources like the Family Reading Night toolkits, ultimately sharing these valuable tools and capacity-building opportunities with educators statewide. This initiative represents a tangible way AASB helps districts address legislative requirements and foster student success within existing budget realities.

Learn More and Access Resources:

To explore these valuable resources:

Citations:

1- Literacy Statistics 2022-2023, National Literacy Institute
2- National PTA. (2000). Building successful partnerships: A guide for development parent and family involvement programs (p. 11-12). Bloomington, Indiana.
3- Shawna Puustinen, elementary teacher, AFEC Friday Highlights

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Discover how Alaska schools and families are partnering through the Alaska Family Engagement Center’s weekly “Spotlight” newsletter, featuring stories, tools, and trainings. Past editions are available here.