Students, Educators, and Parents (STEP) Center

Resources available through the STEP Center

Lending Library

The STEP Center maintains an extensive lending library open to students, parents, teachers and community members. Books, DVDs, and videotapes cover a wide range of information on disabilities. The center regularly adds new publications and maintains an up-to-date collection of resource pamphlets from support agencies in Anchorage and the surrounding area. Now everyone with Internet access can search the library resources database.

Visit us in person:		Visit the online STEP library:
Anchorage School District Education Center First floor, east end 5530 E. Northern Lights Blvd Anchorage, AK  99504 STEP Center hours: Tuesday, Thursday: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.		Click here or the button above

Newsletters

The STEP Center publishes one newsletter, Parent Connect. It is mailed quarterly to families in the Anchorage School District who have children with special needs. You may read the most current issue or peruse the archives from this link:

• Parent Connect

The Alaska Family Directory website, which is maintained by the STEP Center, produces the monthly AK Connect newsletter. It is distributed statewide and contains articles and information concerning special education issues. Each issue features a different school district in Alaska. You may read the most current issue or peruse the archives from this link:

• AK Connect

The STEP Center has discontinued publishing the newsletters listed below, but back issues are still available. You may peruse the archives from these links:

• Preschool Press
• Elementary Express
• Options for Tomorrow

Child Check Brochures and Child Find Training

• The STEP Center disseminates Child Check brochures (PDF). You may download them through this link or request multiple copies by calling our office. This brochure explains when a child should be referred for possible evaluation by the Anchorage School District to determine whether they may need special education services. More information may also be found on this topic by visiting the Special Education Child Check page »
• The Child Check brochure is also available in Russian, Korean, Hmong, Spanish, Samoan, Tagalog. Contact the STEP Center at 742-3872 for copies.
• Annual Child Find training is mandatory for all ASD staff. This training is on ASD Tube and managed through MLP.

Teacher Assistants and Paraprofessional Resources

• Lending Library: The STEP Center full resource lending library is open to TAs. If you have District Connection access you can connect directly to the online STEP Library database and search for books/media you may want to check out. If you do not have District Connection access you must check items out physically at the STEP Center.
• Paraprofessional Connection newsletters: A monthly publication oriented to paraprofessionals and their professional development and skill building. See a list of issues available for e-mail distribution (PDF).

Web Resources

Disability Related Topics
This clearinghouse of information includes topics in the areas of: Learning Disabilities,  ADD-ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X Syndrome, Tourette’s Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety related disorders,  assistive technology, parent resources and much more.

Where to Turn
Alaska's resource for children and adults with disabilities. Prepared to help you find the resources that may be needed for a child or adult who experiences a physical, mental, or emotional disability.

Educational Opportunities
Look here for a training calendar, a list of local parent educational opportunities and contact numbers for more information.

Just Anchorage
The Web sites listed here have local information for parents who live in the Anchorage School District.

National Resources
Key national education, government and organization Web sites with a focus on special education.

Special Education Laws
Learn more about the special education process and parental rights, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Alaska Family Directory
This Web site is funded by a grant from the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development and maintained by the Anchorage School District. This section includes calendars of educational opportunities for parents and educators that are specific to a region of Alaska. Included in each regional section is a listing of community organizations that provide assistance to families of special needs children in that specific area.

Gateway to Online Training
A menu of training available online for ASD staff on Special Education topics. Descriptions, links and information for accessing the trainings are provided.

 

Our staff is here to help!

Contact us at step@asdk12.org or call 907-742-3872.

• Teacher Consultant: Betsy Kruth
• Manager and Teacher Consultant: Barb Loutrel
• Secretary and Library Resources: Patti Voight
• Technical Assistant/Alaska Family Directory: Judy Thomson