Student Testing
Students who attend school in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District take a number of assessments. These tests are often required by state or federal mandates.
Here are brief descriptions of the various tests students take each year as well as the dates tests will be given.
Kindergarten Profile
All students entering kindergarten will participate in an early screening profile that will help teachers plan instruction to develop each child's skills. Kindergarten screening occurs during the first week of school in August.
TerraNova
The TerraNova is a multiple choice, nationally normed standardized test that covers skills in reading, language, math, social studies, science and spelling. Results will be provided to parents by the end of the school year. Students in grades 5 and 7 will take the TerraNova Test.
High School Graduation Qualifying Exam (HSGQE)
Beginning in the spring of 10th grade, students take the High School Graduation Qualifying Exam (HSGQE). The HSGQE is a competency test in reading, writing and math. A student must pass all three sections of the HSGQE (in addition to meeting the district's graduation requirements) to obtain a high school diploma. Once a student has passed a section of the exam (reading, writing or math), he/she does not ave to take that section again.
The HSGQE is offered in the fall for 11th and 12th grade students who need to take or retake all or part of the exam.
The HSGQE is offered in the spring for all 10th graders and for 11th and 12th graders who need to take or retake all or part of the exam.
Fall 2013 HSGQE
Grades 10, 11 & 12
April 1, 2014 (Reading)
April 2, 2014 (Writing)
April 3, 2014 (Math)
Standards-Based Assessments (SBA)
The Alaska Standards-Based Assessments (SBA) are proficiency-based tests developed specifically for Alaska's students. Results are valuable to schools and school districts in determining whether students are making academic progress. The results are also used to determine whether our schools meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as required by the federal No Child Left Behind law.
Students in grades 3-10 across the state are required to participate in the Alaska Standards-Based Assessments.
Standards-Based Assessments (SBA) - Science
The Science Assessment is required by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The Science Assessment must test three grade levels within specific grade spans, and the State Board of Education & Early Development adopted regulations in 2005 requiring the assessment to be given to students in grades 4, 8 and 10.
