We, the members of the Twenty-third Alaska State Legislature join to applaud the creative contribution of the LitSite Alaska website, the gift of the University of Alaska Anchorage and the Alaska Literary Consortium. This innovative use of technology has created a new avenue for educational interaction for all Alaskans spread across our great state. The website promotes Alaskan literacy and cultural diversity, as well as serving as a gathering place for families, communities, teachers, and students.
University of Alaska Anchorage project director and creative writing professor, Ronald Spatz, spearheaded the creation of this website with the belief that narrative has the ability to inspire learning, healing and growth in communities and in individuals. LitSite is a virtual gathering place where Alaskans can share stories promoting literacy, educational achievement, and celebrate cultural diversity. Recently, with a grant from the Alaska Humanities Forum, LitSite developed "ANCSA at 30," an important collection of interviews and commentaries featuring original participants reflecting upon the 30 years since the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
LitSite Alaska offers Alaskans an opportunity to share stories that have shaped the state and the lives of the people who live here. These narratives from across Alaska tell stories of family, community, culture, healing, and the importance of education. Also, LitSite is an important resource for teachers, parents, and community members. Showcasing stories and tools for literacy, including lesson plans and hundreds of examples of peer work, LitSite supports learning, teaching, and discovery. LitSite Alaska also promotes the state's libraries and their programs and provides a comprehensive list of Alaska's booksellers.
LitSite Alaska has been praised by a wide cross-section of Alaskans, including community leaders and educators. The Governor's Commission on Tolerance recommended LitSite for its educational quality, and Carol Comeau, Superintendant of the Anchorage School District, praised LitSite for validating "lifelong learning and literacy." LitSite Alaska has also earned international recognition from the Chronicle of Higher Education, Education World, School Library Journal and Stands for Education, an educational organization in the United Kingdom that observed, "[LitSite Alaska' is a prime example of moving the community into the classroom and the classroom into the community."
The Twenty-third Alaska State Legislature congratulates and commends LitSite Alaska and the University of Alaska Anchorage for developing a unique and valuable resource bringing Alaskans together to support Alaska???s diverse culture and diversity.
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Cosponsors: Representatives Kott, Anderson, Berkowitz, Chenault, Crawford, Croft, Dahlstrom, Gara, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Heinze, Holm, Joule, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kohring, Kookesh, Masek, McGuire, Meyer, Morgan, Ogg, Rokeberg, Samuels, Seaton, Weyhrauch, Williams, Wilson, Wolf; Senators Davis, Therriault, Cowdery, Dyson, Elton, French, Green, Guess, Hoffman, Lincoln, Seekins, Ben Stevens, Gary Stevens, Taylor, Wagoner, Wilken
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