Alaska Reads Act Endorsements

Effective July 1, 2025, all educators (teachers and administrators), including new hires, must have the required AK Reads Act endorsement before working in any K-3 classroom. This includes support teachers such as SPED, ELL/ESL. AS 14.20.015(c) AAC 12.305 There is no extension or grace period past this date.

What does this mean as it pertains to the Alaska Reads Act?

Educators who teach grades K-3, and do not hold an Alaska Reads Act K-3 Teacher endorsement are considered Out-of-Field. Parents of students in Title I schools must be notified of out-of-field teachers. More information can be found here.

As part of the Alaska Reads Act, educators must complete and submit an application for one of the four specific teaching/administrative endorsements through the Teacher Certification department. The available endorsements are as follows:

Alaska Reads Act K-3 Teacher or Alaska Reads Act K-3 Administrator

For those teachers and administrators responsible for reading instruction of K-3 grade students; this includes support teachers such as SPED, ELL/ESL.

This requires 45 hours of DEED Approved Professional Development or passing exam scores—DEED approved courses and exams.

Alaska Reads Act Reading Teacher

A teacher responsible for supporting, supervising, and/or providing interventions of the Individual Reading Improvement Plans (IRIP). This role is defined by the district. Endorsement Requirements:

This requires 45 hours of DEED Approved Professional Development or passing exam scores—DEED approved courses and exams.
Submission of a Reading Instruction Efficiency Evaluation Form certified by a district representative.

Alaska Reads Act Early Education Lead

Alaska Reads Act Early Education Lead is the teacher responsible for overseeing Early Education programs. Endorsement Requirements:

Three college credits (or 45 hours) of DEED Approved Science of Reading Professional Development for Early Childhood Education (PreK)—DEED approved courses.

Three college credits in early childhood education (PreK) OR two or more years of experience teaching kindergarten or in an early education program (PreK).

Visit Available Endorsements and select Alaska Reads Act Endorsements for information on obtaining any of the four Alaska Reads Act Endorsements.

For application guidance refer to the following document, AK Reads Act Endorsements Application Guidance.

Questions on the Reads Act? Email AKReads@alaska.gov