Educator Guide to Assessment Results - AK STAR English Language Arts and Mathematics - 2026

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Asher

Educator Guide to Assessment Results (2026) explains Alaska’s AK STAR assessment system for grades 3–9 in English language arts and mathematics. It outlines the assessments’ purpose, test design, item and blueprint concepts, and how educators should use report information to strengthen instruction and support student growth. The guide details available 2026 report types, access and downloading steps, student and organizational reporting, score interpretation with achievement level descriptors and scale scores, and data privacy plus suppression rules for protected results.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages58

Reading Time2 h 26 min

AccessFree to download

Part 1—Introduction

About AK STAR Assessments-Overview

Dates of Testing

Educator Use of Information

Part 2—Test Design

Blueprints

Instructional Areas

Types of Items

Part 3—Reports

AK STAR Reports Available for 2026

Accessing and Downloading Reports

Organization Reports

Student Report

Summary Report (Formerly Comparison Report)

Demographic Report

Bookmark Reports from Score Report Builder

Individual Student Report (ISR)

Score Summary Report

Student Score Data File

Part 4—Score Interpretation

Achievement Levels and Achievement Level Descriptors

Scale Scores and Scale Score Ranges

Growth Component Scores (RIT Scores)

Reporting Scores for Groups of Students

Special Circumstances

Part 5—Suppression Rules

Data Privacy

Primary Suppression Rules

Secondary Suppression Rules

Appendix A

English Language Arts Achievement Level Scale Score Ranges

Mathematics Achievement Level Scale Score Ranges

Educator Guide to Assessment Results AK STAR English Language Arts and Mathematics 2026 Department of Education & Early Development OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER 801 West Tenth Street, Suite 200 P. O. Box 110500 Juneau, Alaska 99811-0500 Main: 907.465.2800 TTY/TTD: 907.465.2815 Fax: 907.465.4156 Dear Educator, Assessment is more than a measure—it’s a moment to celebrate student learning and growth. Everyday, Alaska’s educators dedicate countless hours helping students build skills, expand knowledge, and grow in confidence. Assessments offer students the chance to show just how far they’ve come—and to demonstrate that the work happening in our classrooms matters. In spring 2022, Alaska launched two significant assessments: the Alaska System of Academic Readiness (AK STAR) and the Alaska Science Assessment. These changes were not made in isolation—they were shaped by feedback from Alaska’s educators. Teachers and administrators across the state expressed a clear desire for more meaningful assessment practices that better reflect what students know and are able to do. The result is a more aligned, purposeful system focused on student success. AK STAR, administered in grades 3 through 9, highlights student strengths and identifies areas where support is needed in English language arts and mathematics. The Alaska Science Assessment reflects three-dimensional science and engineering practices, giving students the opportunity to engage with core ideas and concepts that shape our understanding of the world. These assessments are valuable tools. They empower families and students to see progress, help educators tailor instruction, and guide leaders in directing resources where they’re needed most. Most importantly, they tell a story—a story of learning, effort, and achievement. We know how much time, energy, and heart you put into your work. Preparing for these assessments is no small task, and we thank you for ensuring students are ready and confident to show what they know and can do. Alaska’s public schools matter. Let’s keep showing the world that what happens in our classrooms is meaningful, powerful, and worth every bit of effort. Thank you for your focus, your passion, and your belief in our students. With gratitude and excitement for learning outcomes, Deena M. Bishop, Ed. D Commissioner Table of Contents Part 1—Introduction 1 About AK STAR Assessments-Overview 1 Dates of Testing 2 Educator Use of Information 2 Part 2—Test Design 3 Blueprints 3 Instructional Areas 3 Types of Items 6 Part 3—Reports 8 AK STAR Reports Available for 2026 9 Accessing and Downloading Reports 11 Organization Reports 13 Student Report 20 Summary Report (Formerly Comparison Report) 23 Demographic Report 25 Bookmark Reports from Score Report Builder 28 Individual Student Report (ISR) 29 Score Summary Report 37 Student Score Data File 44 Part 4—Score Interpretation 45 Achievement Levels and Achievement Level Descriptors 45 Scale Scores and Scale Score Ranges 46 Growth Component Scores (RIT Scores) 46 Reporting Scores for Groups of Students 47 Special Circumstances 47 Part 5—Suppression Rules 49 Data Privacy 49 Primary Suppression Rules 49 Secondary Suppression Rules 49 Appendix A 51 English Language Arts Achievement Level Scale Score Ranges 53 Mathematics Achievement Level Scale Score Ranges 53 List of Tables Table 1: Available Score Data by Test Type 3 Table 2: Instructional Areas for Reading 4 Table 3: Instructional Areas for Language Usage 4 Table 4: Mathematics Instructional Areas for Grade 3-5 5 Table 5: Mathematics Instructional Areas for Grade 6-9 5 Table 6: Item Types 6 Table 7: Report Types 9 Table 8: User Roles for Reports 11 Table 9: Available Demographic Filters 13 Table 10: Achievement Level Description 45 Table 11: Special Circumstance codes 48 Table 12: Reporting Percentage Ran

FAQs

What is AK STAR and what does it measure for grades 3–9?

AK STAR is a balanced assessment system that includes a summative component aligned to Alaska English language arts and mathematics standards and a growth component tied to instructional areas. It provides achievement level information and growth-related data personalized to each student.

How do educators access and use AK STAR reports in 2026?

The guide describes which reports are available for 2026 and provides instructions for accessing and downloading them. It also explains how different report types (student, organizational, demographic, and ISR) support educator decision-making.

How are AK STAR scores interpreted and reported for groups of students?

The guide explains achievement levels and descriptors, scale score ranges, and growth component RIT scores. It also covers reporting scores for groups and notes special circumstances that may affect reporting.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Asher