By SUZANNE DOWNING
Sept. 3, 2026 – Alaska public school students are making modest academic gains in the elementary grades, but achievement remains largely stagnant among older students, according to statewide assessment results released by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.
The 2025–2026 results from the Alaska System of Academic Readiness, known as AK STAR, and the Alaska Science Assessment show some improvement in grades three through five. But across most subjects and grade levels, fewer than four out of every 10 students met state standards.
“In general, we are not where we need to be with student learning,” Education Commissioner Deena Bishop said.
Bishop said the results show “a clear upward trend” in grades three through five, while achievement in the higher grades remains relatively flat.
The strongest improvement came in elementary mathematics. The average percentage of third- through fifth-grade students scoring proficient or advanced increased from approximately 34% to 36.1% over four years.
That still means nearly two-thirds of elementary students tested below proficiency in math.
The results were weaker in grades six through nine, where math proficiency remained relatively flat and averaged approximately 29% in 2026. More than seven out of 10 public school students in those grades failed to meet grade-level math expectations.
English language arts results were along the same lines. Among students in grades three through five, the percentage meeting state standards increased from approximately 31.5% in 2023 to nearly 33.8% in 2026. Grade five posted the strongest ELA result, with 39.1% of students scoring proficient or advanced.
Results in grades six through nine showed no real improvement, remaining at approximately 32% proficiency over the four-year period.
Science scores were somewhat stronger, although most students still did not meet grade-level expectations. Statewide, 37.8% of students tested proficient or advanced in science.
Fifth graders recorded the best science performance, with 44.1% meeting standards. Approximately 33% of 10th graders met the standard, making them the group showing the greatest need for additional support.
Bishop said the early-grade improvement may reflect the stronger emphasis on reading instruction established through the Alaska Reads Act, which focuses on students in kindergarten through third grade.
“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,” Bishop said.
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The latest scores present a mixed picture for a public school system that receives substantial state and local funding but continues to struggle with basic academic achievement. While the elementary gains offer some encouragement, the results show that Alaska is still far from having a majority of students proficient in any of the three subjects measured.
2 thoughts on “Alaska student achievement shows modest gains in early grades, but most still fall short”
An increasing number of folks in Alaska MAY NOT WANT their children to receive what traditionally would be considered an education. They may prefer a “lived experience” upbringing without advancing technologies interfering in their lives (except when they want or demand them). Alaska, particularly under the approaching “progressive” regime, will be characterized by dependency on government, high taxes, high costs, low growth, tourism, suppression or elimination of resource development, petty socialism throughout state and local government, permanent power-sharing with Native groups, and relevant here, a weakly educated and compliant population. Oh, and don’t forget, administration by pseudo “elites” from primarily the East coast.
Improvement of educational outcomes is highly unlikely under this scenario. In fact, an educated population with critical thinking skills would be inconsistent with the ideals of the ruling regime. A bright, diverse and motivated population would be destabilizing. JKT will never tolerate it.
yep