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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2026
Release of 2025–2026 Statewide Assessment Results
Juneau, Alaska — The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) has released the 2025–2026 statewide results for the Alaska System of Academic Readiness (AK STAR) and the Alaska Science Assessment.
These assessments measure how well students are learning the knowledge and skills outlined in Alaska’s academic standards—the same standards educators teach in classrooms across the state. Alaska’s standards set high expectations and are designed to prepare students for success in Alaska, across the nation, and in an increasingly competitive world.
DEED Commissioner Deena Bishop stated, “In general, we are not where we need to be with student learning. The results show some progress in student achievement, with a clear upward trend in grades 3–5. At the same time, achievement in Alaska’s higher grades remains relatively flat, underscoring the need for continued focus on preparing students for their next steps in education and the workforce.”
She added, “As our students benefit from the strong foundation in reading established by the Alaska Reads Act in grades K–3, I look forward to seeing that improvement continue as students advance through the grades.”
Using assessment data to identify strengths, address areas for improvement, and guide decisions is essential to improving student learning outcomes. It also helps ensure accountability to Alaskans for the investments made in the state’s public education system.
Key Findings
Math — The four-year trend shows encouraging upward movement in grades 3–5, where the average percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced increased from about 34% to 36.1%. Achievement in grades 6–9 has remained comparatively flat and lower overall, averaging about 29% in 2026. This pattern reinforces the need to sustain gains in the early grades while increasing attention to academic achievement and readiness in the middle grades.
English Language Arts (ELA) — Grades 3–5 also demonstrate sustained achievement growth from 2023 to 2026. Across these grades, the percentage of students meeting standards increased from approximately 31.5% to nearly 33.8%. In contrast, achievement in grades 6–9 has remained largely flat remaining about 32% proficient or advanced over the four-year period. This suggests a need to examine how gains in the earlier grades can be sustained as students transition into the middle grades. Grade 5 stands out in ELA, with 39.1% of students meeting standards.
Science — Overall, 37.8% of Alaska students met grade-level expectations in science. Grade 5 students demonstrated the highest achievement, with 44.1% meeting standards. Grade 10 students showed the greatest need for additional support, with approximately 33% scoring proficient or advanced.
AK STAR is Alaska’s statewide assessment system for students in grades 3–9 in English language arts and mathematics. It also includes interim assessment data designed to provide useful information to parents, students, and educators throughout the school year. The Alaska Science Assessment is a summative assessment aligned to Alaska’s K–12 Science Standards and is administered in grades 5, 8, and 10.
For more information or to review detailed assessment data, please visit the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development website.
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The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development provides information, resources, and leadership to support over 130,000 students in 505 public schools across the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to ensure an “Excellent Education for Every Student Every Day.”
Media Contact: Bryan Zadalis, Public Information Officer - (907) 465-2800
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