The release of students’ assessment results have been delayed for the spring 2022 AK STAR and Alaska Science Assessments.

This past summer, educators from across the state came together to work on the standards setting and an alignment study for both AK STAR and the Alaska Science Assessments. As a result of their work, the state is proposing amendments that would update the terms for achievement level titles, the cut scores used to determine proficiency by grade, and the sub scores used to determine the accountability growth indicator. The State Board of Education is scheduled to vote on these proposed changes at their September 7 meeting. If approved, the projected timeline is that AK STAR and AK Science Assessment reports will be available in PowerSchool in late-October, early-November.

When more information is available, it will be posted on this page. 

The Alaska Dept. of Education and Early Development (DEED) recently announced a new approach to statewide assessments that better reflects learning throughout the school year, and helps educators target instruction to students' needs.  The new Alaska Innovative Assessment System will:

• Streamline testing and maximize efficiency, providing a more seamless experience between interim and summative assessments.
• Increases coherence across interim and end-of-year summative tests so educators can drive students toward consistent, challenging learning targets.
• Help amplify student learning by giving educators, students, and families meaningful insights on student strengths and areas to support students in reaching their highest academic potential.
• Increase opportunity for students and schools to show growth.  

Under the new Alaska Innovative Assessment System, the FNSBSD test schedules will follow this layout:

• 2021-22 school year:  MAP Growth (interim assessments) in the fall, winter, and spring, and AK STAR (summative assessment) in the spring.
• 2022-23 school year and beyond:  MAP Growth (interim) in the fall and winter, and AK STAR (summative) in the spring.

The Alaska System of Academic Readiness (AK STAR) is the new state summative assessment.  It is replacing the Performance Evaluation for Alaska's Schools (PEAKS) for the English Language Arts and Mathematics assessments starting in the spring of 2022.  AK STAR uses a testing platform developed by Northwest Evaluation Association.  This assessment is administered to students in grades 3-9, and assesses their understanding of the Alaska English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematic Standards adopted in 2012.  

• Why Should My Child Take the Statewide Summative Assessment?
• DEED Video - Assessments: Why Are They Important?
• Facts About Alaska's Summative Assessment
• FAQs About Alaska's Summative Assessments
• FAQs About Student Assessment Data
• DEED's AK STAR website

AK STAR Practice Test

• AK STAR Video Tutorial (How to take the practice test.)
• AK STAR Practice Test
• AK STAR Student Readiness Support for Families:
  • Grade 3
  • Grade 4
  • Grade 5
  • Grade 6
  • Grade 7
  • Grade 8
  • Grade 9