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System for School Success

A Letter to Alaskans

Dear Fellow Alaskans, 

I am proud to share that the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development is actively collaborating with districts to establish mechanisms for evaluating student success, ensuring that each student receives a high-quality education, every day. The adoption of the Alaska System of Academic Readiness (AK STAR) assessment system has played a pivotal role in providing educators and parents with an effective means of monitoring student progress, while simultaneously meeting the requirements set forth by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for a state summative assessment.  

Understanding that a comprehensive view is essential for student growth, the System for School Success utilizes AK STAR results to generate school designations. These designations - Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI), and Universal Support - offer valuable insights for families, tribes, communities, educators, and policymakers into how our schools and districts are performing.  

These designations, along with locally collected data, empower districts to ensure a quality education for each student in Alaska. Together, we can utilize this information to craft innovative plans and work collaboratively towards improving student outcomes across our great state.  

Your engagement and commitment to education are integral to our success. Let us continue working together to create an educational environment that nurtures the potential of every student. 

Dr. Deena Bishop 

Commissioner

 

Video Transcript (docx)

System for School Success

The System for School Success is used to help Schools and districts measure their performance on key indicators, identify areas for improvement, and target resources and support for all students to receive an excellent education and be prepared for college or a career after high school.

Complete List of 2018-2019 School Designations (pdf)

Complete List of 2021-2022 School Designations (pdf)

Complete List of 2022-2023 School Designations (pdf)

 

View My School's Designation

Accountability Indicators Reports

Since the Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) last produced Alaska School Performance Index (ASPI) scores and ratings following the 2013-2014 school year, DEED has published Accountability Indicators Reports that include assessment performance for full academic year (FAY) students, as well as rates of assessment participation, attendance, and graduation. “Full academic year” is defined as continuous enrollment between October 1 and the first day of testing. Please visit the Assessment Results page to view assessment performance for all students regardless of FAY status.

The 2016-2017 Accountability Indicators Reports available below represent the best available data as of October 2, 2017. Changes after this date, if any, will be reflected in the online Report Card to the Public, due for release on January 15, 2018.

Former Accountability Systems

ASPI

In September 2012 Alaska applied for a flexibility waiver from the provisions of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The waiver was approved in May 2013 by the United States Department of Education. In June 2013, the State Board adopted a new accountability system for our public schools. The new system has been named the Alaska School Performance Index (ASPI). The ASPI system effectively replaces the former Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) model that has been in place since 2002.

2014

2013

2003 - 2012

  • Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)

AMO

Under the new state accountability system and approved ESEA Flexibility Waiver, Alaska has set new Annual Measurable Objective (AMO) targets in reading, writing, and mathematics that are ambitious but achievable.

  • AMO targets are set for the all-students group and for each of the currently required subgroups that have at least 5 students (economically disadvantaged students, limited English proficient students, students with disabilities, and all six ethnic groups).
  • The targets, in each assessed subject, increase in annual increments toward a goal of reducing by half the percentage of students who are not proficient within six years (based on the 2012 assessment data for the baseline year).
  • Targets have been set for the state, each district, and each school. A school or district will meet the AMO targets if it meets either the state target or its individual school or district target. The target of 95% participation in assessments must be met to meet the AMO target.

Annual Measurable Objective (AMO) Targets

Progress Toward 2013-2014 AMO Targets

Progress Toward 2012-2013 AMO Targets

Educator Accountability & Support

In 2012, the State Board of Education & Early Development adopted new educator evaluation regulations. The new guidelines require educators to be evaluated through observations and input from students and parents. Evaluation should identify educators’ strengths and weaknesses and support educators' efforts to improve instruction and to grow professionally. Beginning in the 2015-2016 school year, teachers and administrators also will be evaluated using student learning data.

Events

Events supported by the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development that feature statewide initiatives and programs.

Resources

Documents and tools that support districts and educators to build knowledge and skills with standards implementation, assessments, and educator evaluation.

Presentations

Awareness materials related to standards, assessments, and educator evaluation as well as archived presentations.

Modules

Includes presentations, activity materials, handouts and other resources that could be used locally for training on various topics concerning Educator Evaluation & Support.

ESEA Waiver

Waiver Renewal Approved – July 2, 2015

ESEA Flexibility Waiver Renewal Plans March 2015

Waiver Amended for Principle 1 & 2 – December 19, 2014

Waiver Amended for Principle 2 – June 5, 2014

Initial Approved Waiver – May 20, 2013

Presentations

2021 Accountability Waiver Request

Following a review of stakeholder input and consultation with the Governor’s office, DEED submitted a request for a waiver of the Accountability system in the 2020-2021 school year on June 7th, 2021. The waiver request was approved by US ED on June 9th, 2021. Links to the waiver request and approval memo can be found below.

Contact Us

Director of Innovation and Education Excellence

Division Operations Manager: Assessments & Accountability

Data Management Supervisor