1. Alaska’s Education System A “Whistle Stop Tour” for Newcomers to Alaska

2. Our tour will briefly stop to review the following: Early Learning Guidelines…ELGs Grade Level Expectations…GLEs Standards Based Assessments…SBAs High School Graduation Qualifying Exam…HSGQE WorkKeys Assessments Alaska Performance Scholarship

3. First Stop: Early Learning Guidelines Developed by early childhood educators and parents statewide to explain what children should know and be able to do at different stages of development across 5 domains. Stages of development: Birth to 18 months 18 to 36 months 36 to 60 months 60 months to kindergarten entry

4. Domains of Development Domain 1: Physical well-being, health, and motor development Domain 2: Social and emotional development Domain 3: Approaches to learning Domain 4: Cognition and general knowledge Domain 5: Communication, language, and literacy

5. Next Stop: Grade Level Expectations GLEs tell us what children should know and be able to do in the following subjects at each grade. –Grades K – 10: Reading, writing, and math –Grades K-11 : Science Teachers use the GLEs to structure their instruction throughout the school year. Parents can use the GLEs to support their child’s learning at home.

6. Next on tour: Standards Based Tests Required statewide testing for students grades 3 – 10 in reading, writing, and math. Science is also tested in grades 4, 8, and 10. Aligned with the GLEs. The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development has test blueprints available on their website.

7. How are the SBAs Used? State uses test scores to determine school improvement status. Schools use test results to develop instructional goals. Parents can use SBA scores better understand their child’s achievement.

8. Key information found in the SBA Report –“Advanced” means your child is working above grade level expectations. –“Proficient” means your child is working at grade level expectations. –“Below Proficient” means your child is working below grade level expectations. –“Far Below Proficient” means your child is working far below grade level expectations.

9. Next Stop: The High School Graduation Qualifying Exam Graduation requirements: Only students who earn a minimum of 21 credits AND pass the HSGQE earn a diploma. HSGQE includes tests in reading, writing, and math with either a pass or no pass score. Testing opportunities: All students test spring semester of grade 10, with opportunities to retake any portion in the fall and spring of grades 11 and 12. There are no make-up days.

10. Next Stop: WorkKeys Assessments All 11 th grade students in Alaska are required to take the WorkKeys Measures ‘real world’ skills that employers are seeking. Measures skills in applied math, reading for information, and locating information. Students get information on their job readiness skills.

11. Last Stop: The Alaska Performance Scholarship Three levels: Honors… –up to $4,755 per year –College: GPA 3.5; ACT 25; SAT 1680 –Career Technical: GPA 3.5; WorkKeys score 5 Achievement… –up to $3,566 per year –College: GPA 3.0; ACT 23; SAT 1560 –Career Technical: GPA 3.0; WorkKeys score 5 Opportunity… –up to $2,378 per year –College: GPA 2.5; ACT 21; SAT 1450 –Career Technical: GPA 2.5; WorkKeys score 5

12. We hope this “whistle stop tour” has been helpful. Educators in our state are committed to providing an outstanding education for all students and are eager to work with families and the community to reach that goal.

13. ANCHORAGE Alaska Parent Information and Resource Center Julie Jessal, Project Coordinator 805 W. 3 rd Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99501 907-349-0651 JUNEAU Alaska Parent Information and Resource Center Julie Staley, Project Director 210 Ferry Way Juneau, Alaska 99801 907-586-6806