AK STAR: Alaska System of Academic Readiness

Alaska's Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) has partnered with NWEA to implement a creative approach to balanced statewide assessment that better reflects learning throughout the school year and helps educators target instruction to students’ individual needs. The Alaska System of Academic Readiness (AK STAR) is designed to streamline the testing experience for grades 3–9 in the areas of English language arts (ELA) and mathematics. This balanced approach connects fall and winter MAP Growth interim assessments and the Alaska spring summative assessment to provide a comprehensive assessment system that improves efficiency and cohesion and drives student outcomes by prioritizing teaching and learning. A robust and customized approach to professional learning accompanies the new assessment system, expanding Alaska educators’ assessment literacy and knowledge of strategies for data-informed decision-making and formative instructional practices. 

The Alaska innovative assessment system will: 

• Streamline testing and maximize efficiency. A connected system provides a more seamless experience between interim and end-of-year assessments for students and educators and reduces testing events (starting in 2022–23).

• Increase coherence across interim and end-of-year tests so educators can drive students toward consistent, challenging learning targets.

• Help to amplify student learning. Alaska’s innovative assessment system will give educators, students, and families meaningful insights on student strengths and areas of need to support students in reaching their highest academic potential.

• Increase opportunity for students and schools to show growth. Fall-to-spring and year-to-year growth data, along with access to normative data, are available to both districts and DEED. Within-year growth data enables all students and educators to show and celebrate growth and provides districts with a more complete view of school performance as they work to ensure equitable educational rigor and resources for all Alaska students.