HSGQE Retest

Fall 2012

1.  The Alaska HSGQE is a proficiency-based, criterion-referenced test developed specifically for Alaska. Test administration will occur October 2-4, 2012. Schools will administer Reading on October 2, Writing on October 3, and Mathematics on October 4. Juniors and seniors who need to take one or more sections of the HSGQE will participate in the fall Retest.
2.  4 AAC 06.755 requires that all sophomores take the spring administration of the HSGQE. Each student who is a junior or senior, who has failed to pass the entire examination, shall be retested at least once each year on those portions of the examination that the student has not met proficiency requirements. Any student who reaches proficiency on any portion of the examination may not retake that portion of the examination.
3.  The HSGQE is part of the Alaska Comprehensive System of Student Assessment (CSSA) mandated by the legislature under the Quality Schools Initiative. The test measures attainment of Alaska Standards adopted by school districts across Alaska.
4.  When the legislature passed Senate Bill 133, the clear purpose of the HSGQE was to measure “minimum competencies of essential skills.”  In order for students to receive a diploma, they must meet the Anchorage School District’s graduation requirements and demonstrate proficiency on all three subtests of the HSGQE or be eligible for and granted a waiver.
5.  HSGQE is not timed but is expected to take approx three hours each day to complete. Students making progress but have not completed the session within the estimated time will be given as much time as needed to finish within the same testing day. The HSGQE is proctored by certified teachers with one proctor for every 30 students.
6.  There are no make-ups for the HSGQE.
7.  Parents are asked to help by having their students rested and ready for testing on each test day. Eating a nutritious breakfast is important. Please have your student to school on time and avoid scheduling appointments on October 2, 3 and 4.
8.  Parents/guardians are reminded to update addresses as testing approaches.  ASD has a large portion of test results returned to A&E and never claimed, accounting for a large amount of money and human resource time.  Thank you in advance for support with keeping current and correct addresses on file with ASD.

Results for the fall 2012 HSGQE Retest will be reported to ASD in late November.