Alaska Alternate Assessment

The Alaska Alternate Assessment tests students with significant cognitive disabilities in grades 3-9 in English Language Arts and Mathematics, and grades 5, 8, and 10 in Science. (Please note, starting in the spring of 2022 the Science assessment will no longer be administered to students in grade 4.)

The Alaska Alternate Assessment for English Language Arts and Mathematics are based on content standards called the Alaska- Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) Essential Elements. These are aligned to the Alaska English Language Arts & Mathematic Standards, but reduced in complexity, breadth, and depth.  The alternate achievement standards are achievement level descriptors that are different from the achievement standards for the general education assessment.  The achievement levels (cut points and descriptors) reflect a different set of academic expectations for students with significant cognitive disabilities. 

Eligibility of the Alaska Alternate Assessment is a decision made by the Individual Education Plan (IEP) team members on an annual basis during the IEP meeting.  The IEP team must use the "Alternate Assessment Participation Criteria Checklist" found on the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) website.

Students' previous assessment reports are now available in PowerSchool. 

To view your student's report, login to your PowerSchool Guardian account and go to "student records" and then "student file." 

Please note, reports are only available when using a web browser and not the mobile app.

• Understanding Your Child's Score Report (or Spanish version).

• Alaska Participation Guidelines
• Handbook for the Participation Guidelines
• DEED Alternate Assessment Website
• Dynamic Learning Maps Website