Overview

The Alaska Comprehensive System of Student Assessments measures students’ academic achievement and the effectiveness of individual schools and school districts.

ALL students, including students with disabilities participate in statewide assessments.

Legal Requirements for statewide assessment and students with disabilities come mainly from three statutes:

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

Developed from the recognition that in the U.S. students who are economically disadvantaged, have limited English proficiency, are in minority racial and ethnic groups and those with disabilities are much less likely to achieve proficiency in core academic areas in our schools.

NCLB holds schools accountable for the performance of all students. Accountability is based on whether or not schools, districts and states are making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) toward 100% proficiency in reading and math. All students in grades 3-10 are assessed in these areas. Adequate Yearly Progress measures include:

Percentage of students participating in statewide assessments
Percentage of students achieving proficiency or above

NCLB is striving for 100% proficiency by the end of the 2013-2014 school year. Additionally, beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, students will be assessed in science at least one time in grades 3-5, 6-9, and 10-12.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

IDEA requires:

All students be involved in and progress in the general curriculum
IEP teams to determine accommodations and modifications the student needs in the classroom and in statewide assessments
States to develop alternate assessments for those students who cannot take the regular assessments even with accommodations and modifications.

Alaska Statute Requiring High School Graduation Qualifying Exams (HSGQE)

Sec. 14.03.075

To receive a high school diploma from a public school in Alaska students must complete required courses and receive a proficient score on all 3 subtests (reading, writing, math) of the High School Graduation Qualifying Exam.

The Alaska HSGQE measures reading, writing and math.

All Alaska’s Standards Based Assessments measure the three content areas or reading, writing and math even though NCLB requires measuring only reading and math.

Students begin taking the HSGQE spring semester of their 10th grade year.

Students who meet all other state and local requirements for graduation but do not meet proficiency on one or more subtests of the HSGQE, are eligible to receive a Certificate of Achievement.

A student may take the HSGQE twice a year until s/he reaches proficiency.

High School Graduation Qualifying Exam

You’ll hear it often! It’s important to Alaskan students and families!

Legal Requirements Review

All students grades 3-10 are assessed in standards based assessments in reading, writing and math.

All states must have an alternate assessment for those who because of their disability cannot take the regular assessment.

Schools and districts are evaluated for AYP based on the percentage of students participating in assessment and the percentage achieving proficiency.

IEP teams must consider accommodations needed to assure that a student’s skills are not masked by his or her disability.

Alaskan public school students must be proficient in the HSGQE to receive a high school diploma.