District Test Window: March 18 - May 3, 2024

Contact your student's schools for their specific test dates.

The Alaska Alternate Assessment tests students with significant cognitive disabilities in grades 3-9 in English Language Arts and Mathematics, and grades 5, 8, and 10 in Science.

The Alaska Alternate Assessment for English Language Arts and Mathematics is based on content standards called the Alaska- Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) Essential Elements. These are aligned to the Alaska English Language Arts & Mathematics Standards but reduced in complexity, breadth, and depth. The alternate achievement standards are achievement level descriptors that are different from the achievement standards for the general education assessment. The achievement levels (cut points and descriptors) reflect different academic expectations for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

The DLM Assessment is not a timed test. Each student is administered the test on an individual basis. A student may take the test over several days, as long as it is completed within the testing window

Eligibility of the Alaska Alternate Assessment is a decision made by the Individual Education Plan (IEP) team members on an annual basis during the IEP meeting. The IEP team must use the Alternate Assessment Participation Criteria Checklist, located on page 26 of the Participation Guidelines for Inclusion of Alaska Students in State Assessments - 2022 Edition

For more information about the DLM, visit the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development's Alternate Assessment webpage.