- Cama-i, quyana tailuci!
- (Central Yup’ik)
- "Greetings, thank you for coming!"
Educator Resources
DEED is working with assessment partners to design and deliver high-quality, engaging professional learning experiences for Alaska educators to broaden educators’ individual and collective understanding of the purpose and use of a range of assessment measures, to improve educators’ facility with for effective data use, to apply strategies for data-informed decision making, and to implement formative instructional practices and utilize data to inform instruction. This professional learning initiative aims to strengthen the assessment literacy, knowledge and skills of Alaska’s educators.
DEED seeks to provide Alaska educators and other stakeholders with a range of opportunities to become involved in various aspects of the state assessment program.
By increasing Alaska educators’ contributions to the assessment design, DEED understand that the assessments will be more representative of the geographical, cultural, social, economic, and educational needs of students and families around the state. This will make the assessments more effective at providing valid and reliable information about Alaska students.
By enhancing stakeholder knowledge and understanding of the different assessment types along with their purpose and uses, DEED will increase awareness of the value of a balanced assessment system.
Current stakeholder engagement opportunities include:
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Assessment Advisory Panel –The Assessment Advisory Panel is open to anyone interested in serving on the panel! Educators and other stakeholders are encouraged to reach out to Rachel Schweissing, Assessment Administrator if they would like to serve on the panel.
- Technical advisory committee (TAC) - The TAC membership includes six national measurement and assessment experts and two Alaska district representatives. DEED’s Technical Advisory Committee members include: National measurement experts - Brian Gong (co-lead), Chris Domaleski (co-lead), Elena Diaz-Bilello, Mike Kolen, Ric Luecht, and Phoebe Winter; District representatives – Andrew Gillilan (LKSD) and Ellis Ott (FNSBSD); State Board of Education representative - Barbara Tyndall.
Upcoming stakeholder engagement opportunities include:
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DEED is recruiting for four virtual events where Alaska educators can be involved in the assessment item development process for AK STAR, the Alaska Science Assessment, or both! If you have a strong understanding of Alaska’s current academic standards and currently live in Alaska, we’d love to have you participate! All reviews will be held during off contract hours. Complete the assessment interest form if you’d like to participate in any of these virtual events. Only completed applications will be considered.
Assessment Data Reviews
Alaska educators will review and provide feedback on test item data from the spring 2024 administrations. This review will assist DEED and our vendors in building operational assessments for future administrations. Participants will receive $100-$150 stipend for full participation.
AK STAR Data Review: Wednesday, July 10 – 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Science Data Review: Tuesday, September 24 – 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Assessment Item Reviews
Alaska educators will evaluate and provide feedback on new Alaska Science test items, verify alignment to Alaska’s standards and review for bias and sensitivity. Participants receive a $250 stipend for full participation.
Science Item Review: Friday, September 27 – 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm and Saturday, September 28 7 – 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Past stakeholder engagement opportunities have included:
- Alaska Science Assessment Data Review (October 2023)
- Alaska Science Assessment Item Review (October 2023)
- AK STAR Field Test Item Review (August 2023)
- Science assessment items (questions) were reviewed by Alaska educators (October 2022)
- Educator-led standard setting for establishing cut scores and achievement levels for both AK STAR and the Alaska Science Assessment (June 2022)
- Alignment study for both AK STAR and the Alaska Science Assessment (June 2022)
- Engaging stakeholders in the bias/sensitivity reviews of summative test items for AK STAR (October – November, 2021)
- Educator participation in the development of range achievement level descriptors (RALD) for AK STAR (October, 2021)