The New Alaska Standards
for English/Language Arts &
Mathematics:
What Impact on CTE?
Session Overview
 Purpose
and Shifts of New
Standards
 Overview
of Alaska
English/Language Arts and
Mathematics Standards
 Timeline
 Impact
for Implementation
on CTE Programs
History of Alaskan Standards
• 1990s: Alaska standards in reading, writing, and
mathematics were developed by age spans (K-2,
3-5, 6-8, and 9-12)
• 2004: Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) in
reading, writing, and mathematics were
developed to define standards at each grade
level (grades 3 – 10); assessments developed
• 2006: Grade Level Expectations were expanded
to include kindergarten through second grade
What do we know about Alaska’s Current
Grade Level Expectations (GLE’s)?
February - March 2011, Alaskan educators reviewed
Alaska’s Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) and the proposed
“common core” national standards.
We know:
1. the GLEs are low in rigor.
2. the GLEs are over six years old.
3. the GLEs do not extend beyond grade 10.
4. the GLEs are broad and open to teacher
interpretation.
5. the GLEs are a blueprint for assessment.
NAEP – Reading Grade 8
NAEP - Mathematics Grade 8
International Competitiveness
• The Program for International Student
Assessment (PISA) is an international study
which began in the year 2000.
• PISA aims to evaluate education systems
worldwide by testing the skills and
knowledge of 15-year-old students in
participating countries/economies.
• Since the year 2000 over 70 countries and
economies have participated in PISA.
Armed Forces Qualification Test
(AFQT)
General Cognitive Ability Subtests of ASVAB
Alaska‘s New English Language Arts
(ELA) & Mathematics Standards
• Aligned with college and career
expectations.
• Include rigorous content and application
of knowledge through higher-order skills
• Consistent learning goals for all students,
regardless of where they live.
Note: The Alaska Standards are equal in rigor to
the national Common Core State Standards.
Shifts in English Language Arts
1. Building knowledge through
content-rich nonfiction and
informational texts in addition to
literature.
2. Reading and writing grounded in
evidence from the text.
3. Regular practice with complex text
and its academic vocabulary.
Shifts in Mathematics
1. Focus: 2-3 topics focused on deeply in each
grade.
2. Coherence: Concepts logically connected
from one grade to the next and linked to
other major topics within the grade.
3. Rigor: Fluency with arithmetic, application
of knowledge to real-world situations, and
deep understanding of mathematical
concepts.
Standards for
Literacy in
History/Social
Studies,
Science, and
Technical
Subjects
do not address
the technical
content
students must
master
READING
WRITING
10 Anchor Standards
10 Anchor Standards
Arranged in 4 strands
Arranged in 4 Strands




Key Ideas and Details
Craft and Structure
Integration of
Knowledge and
Ideas
Range of Reading
and Level of Text
Complexity




Text Types and Purpose
Production and
Distribution of Writing
Research to Build and
Present Knowledge
Range of Writing
Grade
Specific
Standard
Grade
Specific
Standards

6-8

9-10

11-12

6-8

9-10

11-12
Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects 6-12
Foundational Skills in the Early Grades
• The instruction of the basic reading
components is still an expectation
• The standards for these skill are
found in grades K-5
Math Organization
Two areas of equal importance
• Standards for Mathematical Practice
• Standards for Mathematical Content
Math Organization
The Standards for Mathematical Practice
are embedded at every grade level to
establish habits of mind that will
empower students to become
mathematically literate.
The Standards of Mathematical Practice
include the Math Process Standards
• Problem Solving
• Communication
• Reasoning
• Connections
Modeling encourages
students to use
mathematics in the
context of real-world
applications.
Math Organization
Roll-out Phases
http://education.alaska.gov/
PDF of New
Alaska ELA &
Math
Standards
Toolkit of
Resources
Alaska’s Standards Toolkit
Professional Development Opportunities
Webinars
https://www.acteonline.org/uploadedFiles/Publications_and_Online_Media/files/Career_Readiness_Paper_COLOR.pdf
What does this mean for CTE?
• Students need mastery of ELA and math
standards to excel in CTE programs.
• CTE programs help students develop transferable
strategies to apply and practice use of ELA and
math knowledge and skills through multiple
strategies, e.g. integrated, infused, imbedded,
reinforced content.
• CTE needs to insure our instructional strategies
help students understand ELA and math
standards, e.g. translate terminology.
CTE Curriculum Alignment
Resources for CTE
https://www.acteonline.org/issuebriefs.aspx, http://www.careertech.org/resources/information.html
Alaska Standards Timeline
SY 2012-13
• Awareness
Campaign
• Transition Tools
• Field test new
assessment
items
June 2012
• Adoption by
State board
SY 2014-15
• Continue with
curriculum
alignment and
implementation
SY 2013-14
• Alignment of
curriculum to new
standards
• Begin
implementation of
new standards
SY 2015-16
• All grades and
content taught to
new standards
• Spring ‘16 new
assessment in
place
Spring 2016
New Alaska Assessments
Field Testing New Items This Spring
• New question types
• Will NOT count towards students’ scores
Contact Those in the Know!
Karen Melin, Language Arts Content Specialist
karen.melin@alaska.gov, 907-465-6536
Cecilia Miller, Mathematics Content Specialist
cecilia.miller@alaska.gov, 907-465-8703
Bjorn Wolter, Science Content Specialist
bjorn.wolter@alaska.gov, 907-465-6542
Elizabeth Davis, Assessment Administrator
elizabeth.davis@alaska.gov, 907-465-8431