The Alabama Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (AlaKiDS) assists LEAs in the identification of each Kindergarten student’s readiness levels regarding their knowledge, skills and abilities throughout multiple content and development areas, including math, literacy, and social/emotional development. Executive functioning skills are also assessed within academic learning environments using this research-based inventory which includes small group prompts. This process allows kindergarten teachers to assess groups of children at one time.
AlaKiDS FAQs
For the 2023–2024 school year– your classes and children will be uploaded into MyTeachingStrategies® for you, beginning the first week of August, 2023.
Visit the MyTeachingStrategies® Log-in Page
Choose Forgot Password Under the Log in button
Enter your username and choose ‘Continue’ (how to locate your username indicated below)
You will receive an email with a temporary password (the temporary password will expire if not used to sign-in shortly after receiving it)
- Please be sure to check your spam/junk folder, as the password reset email may be delivered there instead of your inbox
Return to the MyTeachingStrategies® Log-in Page, and enter your username and temporary password
Be sure to update your password once logged in
Your MyTeachingStrategies® username will be the same as your ALSDE ID
-
- Please visit the ALSDE Identity Management site by clicking here, to find your ALSDE ID
- It will be prominently displayed in the upper right-hand corner after you sign-in
- Please visit the ALSDE Identity Management site by clicking here, to find your ALSDE ID
IMPORTANT to note once you have successfully accessed your MyTeachingStrategies® account:
- Your classes and children will be uploaded into MyTeachingStrategies® for you
- Please DO NOT add, edit or delete any classes or children in the system
AlaKiDS KEA: Teacher Scenarios in MyTeachingStrategies® for SY 2023-2024
| Type of System ‘User | Who is this user? | What does this mean? | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher completing KEA Checkpoint Only for AlaKiDS | Teachers who will be entering data for the first checkpoint only for the 31 objectives/
dimensions in AlaKiDS |
Teachers are required to enter KEA Survey levels for the children in their class by the KEA Survey checkpoint due date. | KEA Survey
*Be sure to Finalize within KEA Survey after all levels have been applied and saved |
| Teacher Completing KEA Checkpoint + Winter & Spring Checkpoints for AlaKiDS | Teachers who will be entering data for all three checkpoints this school year for the 31 objectives/dimensions in AlaKiDS. | Teachers will complete the KEA checkpoint through the KEA Survey, and then complete the next two checkpoints (Winter & Spring) through Checkpoint | KEA Survey Checkpoints *Be sure to Finalize within KEA Survey for Fall, after all levels have been applied and saved. You will Finalize from Checkpoint for Winter & Spring. |
| Teacher completing KEA Checkpoint for AlaKiDS, continues with larger item-set in the AL P3 license | Teachers who also exist in the AL P3 license, and continue assessing students throughout the year on a larger item set with more objectives/dimensions than AlaKiDS. | P3 kindergarten teachers should complete leveling children under Checkpoint in AlaKiDS by September 22nd, and data will then be copied over to the AL P3 license. Beginning October 2nd, you will continue to enter documentation on children and assess them throughout the year in the P3 license, using a larger set of objectives/dimensions. | Checkpoints
*You will Finalize within Checkpoint, only after copying has been completed. |
Not Observed
ALSDE guidance is that children who score below a 4.0 on WIDA must be marked as Not Observed.
Please note: if you must select Not Observed, you must do-so for a child under Checkpoint, and not KEA Survey.
AlaKiDS Checkpoint Deadline Dates for SY 23-24
KEA (“Fall”) Checkpoint – 09/29/23
Winter Checkpoint – 02/23/24
Spring Checkpoint – 05/17/24
Please contact your school administrator about obtaining an AlaKiDS kit if needed, or reach out to your assigned Local Reading Specialist or assigned ARI Regional Literacy Specialist for assistance.
Your ARI Regional Literacy Specialist will deliver the replacement AlaKiDS booklets to your school/site
The assessment must be completed during the first few weeks of school, and entered into MyTeachingStrategies® by Friday, September, 29th, 2023.
Virtual professional development descriptions and how to register are indicated above, and note:
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- New kindergarten teachers must attend the initial AlaKiDS 6-hour virtual session (broken up into 2, 3-hour sessions)
- Returning Kindergarten teachers who are already trained in AlaKiDS have the option of attending a 3-hour virtual deeper dive session
- Administrators and leaders who support teachers with AlaKiDS have the option of attending a 3-hour virtual session
A professional development certificate will be emailed to you within a week of attending a virtual session.
Your first point of contact should you have any questions or need assistance/support is your Local Reading Specialist, and then your assigned ARI Regional Literacy Specialist. For any further questions, you may also contact Karen Rutledge-Bell
AlaKiDS Virtual Professional Development Offerings – 2023
*Because all sessions are virtual, you can choose to register through any correlating region hyperlink as indicated. If a virtual session being offered within a region is full, you may register through another region.
Note: after you click on a region hyperlink, you may have to scroll through various PD offerings before getting to the AlaKiDS session options. They are there!
Max capacity for each virtual session is 35 participants.
AlaKiDS: Using GOLD® Objectives for Development & Learning
(6-hours, broken up into 2, 3-hour virtual sessions)
Who should attend this session?
Kindergarten teachers who are new to AlaKiDS (if you have never attended an AlaKiDS session, and you are a Kindergarten teacher, this is mandatory)
| Day/Time Option | Use any of these correlating region hyperlinks below to register |
|---|---|
| July 11 & 12, 9am-12pm CT both days | 1 |
| July 11 & 12, 1pm-4pm CT both days | 3 |
| July 12 & 13, 9am-12pm CT both days | 5 |
| July 12 & 13, 1pm-4pm CT both days | 8 |
| July 18 & 19, 9am-12pm CT both days | 9 |
| July 18 & 19, 1pm-4pm CT both days | 11 |
AlaKiDS: A Deeper Dive
(3-hour virtual session)
Who should attend this session?
Returning kindergarten teachers already trained on AlaKiDS (this is optional)
AlaKiDS: Administrator & Leader Session
(3-hour virtual session)
Who should attend this session?
Administrators, coaches, leaders support kindergarten teachers with AlaKiDS (this is optional)
Alabama Regional
Inservice Center Directory
| Region 1 University of North Alabama (UNA) | LEAs |
| Director Dr. Deanna Hollimon Address UNA Inservice Center 1640 Tune Avenue Florence, AL 35630 Office 800-760-7571 or (256) 765-4228 Fax (256) 765-4628 |
Colbert County, Florence City, Franklin County, Haleyville City Schools, Jasper City, Lauderdale County, Marion County, Muscle Shoals City, Russellville City, Sheffield City, Tuscumbia City, Walker County, Winfield City, Winston County |
| Region 2 Athens State University | LEAs |
| Director Ms. Patricia (Patty) Maze Cell: (256) 466-1149 Program and Financial Assistant TBH Address Athens State University Inservice 300 North Beaty Street Athens, AL 35611 Shipping Address Athens State Regional Inservice Center Attention: Patty Mize 1115 Highway 31 S Athens, AL 35611 Office (256) 233-6574 Fax (256) 216-6623 |
Athens City, Blount County, Cullman City, Cullman County, Decatur City, Hartselle City, Lawrence County, Limestone County, Morgan County, Oneonta City |
| Region 3 Alabama A&M University (AL A&M) | LEAs |
| Director Aundria Campbell (256) 372-5771 Secretary Ms. Jacqueline Rogers (256) 372-5771 Address Alabama A&M University A&M-UAH Inservice Center P. O. Box 291 Normal, AL 35762 Office (256) 372-5239 or (256) 372-5771 Fax (256) 372-5774 |
Albertville City, Arab City, Boaz City, DeKalb County, Fort Payne City, Guntersville City, Huntsville City, Jackson County, Madison City, Madison County, Marshall County, Scottsboro City |
| Region 4 University of Alabama (UA-UWA) | LEAs |
| Director Dr. Holly Morgan Cell: (205) 348-6951 Adm. Secretary Ms. Tami Barron (205) 348-8973 Address UA/UWA Inservice Center 1030 Tom Barnes Box 870240 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 Shipping Address UA/UWA Inservice Center 260 Kilgore Lane Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 Office (205) 348-3319 Fax (205) 348-0992 |
Choctaw County, Demopolis City, Fayette County, Greene County, Hale County, Lamar County, Linden City, Marengo County, Pickens County, Sumter County, Tuscaloosa City, Tuscaloosa County, University Charter School |
| Region 5 University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) | LEAs |
| Director Dr. Sonja Nicole Hill Program Coordinator Ms. Sherricka Embery (205) 934-2316 Address UAB Regional Inservice Center 1720 2nd Avenue South, EB229 Birmingham, AL 35294-1250 Shipping Address UAB Education & Engineering Complex EEC225D 1150 10th Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35233 Office (205) 934-2316 Fax (205) 934-2317 |
Jefferson County, Bessemer City, Birmingham City, Fairfield City, i3 Academy, Legacy Prep, Leeds City, Midfield City, Tarrant City, Trussville City |
| Region 6 Jacksonville State University (JSU) | LEAs |
| Director Brandy Caldwell Program Associate Ms. Janis Sides (256) 782-5986 Address JSU Inservice Center 100 Gamecock Drive Room 1213 Anniston, AL 36205 Shipping Address JSU Inservice Center Attention: Regional Inservice Center, Room 1213100 Gamecock Drive Anniston, AL 36205 Office (256) 782-8065 Fax (256) 782-5982 |
Anniston City, Attalla City, Calhoun County, Cherokee County, Clay County, Cleburne County, Etowah County, Gadsden City, Jacksonville City, Oxford City, Pell City, Piedmont City, Randolph County, Roanoke City, St. Clair County |
| Region 7 University of Montevallo | LEAs |
| Director Brooke Veazey (205) 358-8543 Address UM Inservice Center 2790 Pelham Parkway Pelham, AL 35124 Office (205) 358-8543 Fax (205) 358-8788 |
Alabaster City, Bibb County, Chilton County, Coosa County, Homewood City, Hoover City, Mountain Brook City, Pelham City, Shelby County, Sylacauga City, Talladega City, Talladega County, Vestavia Hills City |
| Region 8 Alabama State University | LEAs |
| Director Dr. Evelyn Hodge (334) 229-4578 Cell: (334) 207-9736 Assist Director Dr. Jacqueline Asberry (334) 207-4107 Cell: (334) 224-6697 Program Coordinator Pearl Howard (334) 229-4715 Address ASU/Central Alabama Inservice Center P. O. Box 271 Montgomery, AL 36101 Shipping Address Attention: Robert Adams 1251 South Decatur Street Montgomery, AL 36104 |
Autauga County, Breakthrough Charter (Marion), Dallas County, Life Academy, Lead Academy, Lowndes County, Montgomery County, Mt. Meigs Youth Facility, Perry County, Pike Road County, Selma City, Wilcox County |
| Region 9 Auburn University | LEAs |
| Director Dr. Laura Crowe (334) 844-5029 Adm. Support Ms. Barbara Lytle (334) 844-5028 Address AU East Alabama Inservice Center 108 Wallace Hall Auburn, AL 36849 Office (334) 844-5028 Fax (334) 844-0483 |
Alexander City, Auburn City, Barbour County, Bullock County, Chambers County, Elmore County, Eufaula City, Lanett City, Lee County, Macon County, Opelika City, Phenix City, Russell County, Tallapoosa County, Tallassee City |
| Region 10 University of South Alabama | LEAs |
| Director Dr. Stephanie Hulon (251) 380-2741 Cell: (251) 455-5892 PD Coordinator Ms. Cinthia Moore (251) 380-2741 Cell: (251) 895-2617 Address USA South Alabama Research & Inservice Center UCOM 3850 307 University Blvd. North Mobile, AL 36688-0002 *Shipping Address 75 S. University Blvd. UCOM 3850Mobile, Alabama 36608 Fax (251) 380-2707 |
ACCEL Evening and Day Academy, Baldwin County, Chickasaw City, Clarke County, Gulf Shores City, Mobile County, Monroe County, Saraland City, Satsuma City, Thomasville City, Washington County *UPS or Fedex shipping address: University of South Alabama College of Education and Professional Studies South Alabama Research and Inservice Center 75 S. University Blvd. UCOM 3850 Mobile, Alabama 36608 USPS Mailing Address: University of South Alabama College of Education and Professional Studies South Alabama Research and Inservice Center 307 University Blvd. UCOM 3850 Mobile, Alabama 36688 |
| Region 11 Troy University | LEAs |
| Director Dr. Robin Bynum (334) 670-5978 Cell: (334) 434-2188 Program Coordinator Ms. Faye Allen (334) 670-3494 Cell: (334) 434-7327 Program Development Specialist Margaret Folmar (334) 670-3594 Secretary Jennifer McLeod (334) 670-3495 Address Troy University Southeast Alabama Inservice Center 025 Hawkins Hall Troy, Al 36082 |
Andalusia City, Brewton City, Butler County, Coffee County, Conecuh County, Covington County, Crenshaw County, Dale County, Daleville City, Dothan City, Elba City, Enterprise City, Escambia County, Geneva City, Geneva County, Henry County, Houston County, Opp City, Ozark City, Pike County, Troy City |