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State-by-State Analysis: Alaska

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Elementary

Middle

High School

Elementary

Middle

High School

Standards
The table below indicates the content the AFT looks for when reviewing English, math, science, and social studies standards. Standards that are clear and specific at the elementary, middle, and high school levels are shaded as indicated in the legend above. Standards that do not meet our criteria remain clear or "empty." Refer to the Content Standards link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating standards.

English

Reading Basics

Reading Comprehension

Writing Conventions

Writing Forms

None

Elementary and High

Elementary and High

Elementary and Middle

None

Math

Number Sense

Measurement

Geometry

Algebra

Data Analysis

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Science

Earth Science

Physical Science

Life Science

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Social Studies

Civics

U.S. History

World History

None

None

None

None

Updated 8/2003 

Curriculum & Instruction
The table below identifies the components of a standards-based curriculum. If the components are present the appropriate levels—elementary, middle, and high school—are shaded as indicated in the legend above. If the components are missing, than the graphic remains clear or "empty." Refer to the Curriculum & Instruction link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating standards-based curriculum materials.

 

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

Learning Continuum

Elementary

None

None

Elementary, Middle and High

Instructional Resources

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

None

Instructional Strategies

None

None

None

None

Performance Indicators

Performance descriptors

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

Rubrics / scoring guides

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

Sample student work

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

Commentary on student work

None

None

None

None

Lesson Plans

Specifies standards addressed

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Specifies prior knowledge needed

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Integrates two or more standards

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Indicates necessary materials

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Includes classroom assessments

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Indicates length of time needed

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Includes sample student work and rubrics

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Provides instructional guidance

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Includes instructional strategies for diverse learners

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Updated 5/2002 

Assessing Student Performance
The table below indicates the features of an "open" or transparent assessment system that is based on the content standards. If the features are present the appropriate levels—elementary, middle, and high school—are shaded as indicated in the legend above. If the features are missing, than the graphic remains clear or "empty." Refer to the Assessing Student Performance link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating open and aligned testing systems.

 

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

Grades assessed

3, 6, 8, 10

3, 6, 8, 10

 

 

Alignment report available

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

State indicates standards tested

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

State indicates number of items per standard

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

Test or sample items released

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

Released items indicate standard tested

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

State provides grade-specific performance level descriptors

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

State provides rubrics

None

None

None

None

State releases scored student work 

None

None

None

None

Released student work includes scorer commentary

None

None

None

None

Updated 4/2004

Accountability
The table below indicates the elements of a student accountability policy. If the elements are present, the appropriate levels—elementary, middle, and high school—are shaded as indicated in the legend above. If the elements are missing, than the graphic remains clear or "empty." Refer to the Accountability link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating student accountability policies.

 

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

State requires academic intervention for struggling students

High School

High School

None

None

State funds academic intervention for struggling students

None

None

None

None

Promotion from grade to grade in elementary or middle school and/or graduation from high school is based, in part, on state test results

High School

High School

None

None

Students can earn awards for meeting higher standards

None

None

None

None

Updated 5/2002

 

 


Documents Reviewed

Alaska Benchmark Examination Booklet (curriculum, assessments)

Alaska High School Graduation Qualifying Examination Booklet (curriculum, assessments, accountability)

Alaska Mathematics Standards (standards, curriculum)

Alaska Reading Standards (standards, curriculum)

Alaska Standards-Based Units: Consortia Standards Integration Project (curriculum)

Alaska Writing Standards (standards, curriculum)

Alaska's Assessment and Accountability System: The Quality School Initiative (assessments)

Assessment Matrix, 2003 (assessments)

Benchmark Examination Test Item Map: Number of Test Questions by Performance Standard in Reading, Writing and Mathematics—Grade 3 (assessments)

Benchmark Examination Test Item Map: Number of Test Questions by Performance Standard in Reading, Writing and Mathematics—Grade 6 (assessments)

Benchmark Examination Test Item Map: Number of Test Questions by Performance Standard in Reading, Writing and Mathematics—Grade 8 (assessments)

Changes to the High School Graduation Qualifying Exam Law (accountability)

English Courses (textbooks) (curriculum)

English/ Language Arts Framework (curriculum)

Mathematics and Science Framework (standards, curriculum)

Mathematics Performance Standards (standards)

Practice Tests for Benchmark Exams, 2004 (assessments)

Practice Tests for High School Graduation Qualifying Exams, 2004 (assessments)

Proficiency Descriptors for Math, 2004 (assessments)

Proficiency Descriptors for Reading, 2004 (assessments)

Proficiency Descriptors for the Alaska Benchmarks (curriculum)

Proficiency Descriptors for Writing, 2004 (assessments)

Reading Performance Standards (standards)

Social Studies Framework (curriculum)

Scoring Rubrics for Writing Subtests, 2004 (assessments)

Suggested Literature (curriculum)

Teacher's Guide to the Alaska Benchmark Examination Grade 3 (curriculum)

Teacher's Guide to the Alaska Benchmark Examination Grade 6 (curriculum)

Teacher's Guide to the Alaska Benchmark Examination Grade 8 (curriculum)

Teacher's Guide to the Alaska High School Graduation Qualifying Examination (curriculum, accountability)

Translating Standards to Practice (standards, curriculum)

Writing Performance Standards (standards)

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