Educator Resources
Arizona's test development process involves an extensive review before an item will count toward students' test scores. During the item-development process, all assessment items are written in accordance with Item Specifications. A committee of Arizona educators reviews and approves the items to confirm alignment and appropriateness for inclusion on the test. Each step in the process is designed to ensure that test results are valid, reliable, and appropriate for Arizona students, families, and other members of Arizona communities. Participating educators are representatives of Arizona's geographic regions and represent culturally diverse populations. For these committees, we are inviting content area teachers, teachers of students with disabilities, teachers of EL students, and instructional coaches/administrators to provide their perspective on the items and standards set on Arizona's statewide assessments. If you are interested in serving on an Assessment Educator Committee, please complete the form linked below.
AASA
Spring 2023 Testing
CBT: April 3 - April 28, 2023
- Writing must be completed by April 14, 2023
PBT: April 3 - April 12, 2023
- Writing must be scheduled for April 3 or 4, 2023
- AASA Sample Tests and Tutorials Directions: Select Arizona, then click on "Mic Check and Sample Tests"
Scoring Guides for Sample Tests
ELA
- AASA Scoring Guide - ELA Grade 3
- AASA Scoring Guide - ELA Grade 4
- AASA Scoring Guide - ELA Grade 5
- AASA Scoring Guide - ELA Grade 6
- AASA Scoring Guide - ELA Grade 7
- AASA Scoring Guide - ELA Grade 8
- AASA Scoring Guide - ELA Writing Grade 3
- AASA Scoring Guide - ELA Writing Grade 4
- AASA Scoring Guide - ELA Writing Grade 5
- AASA Scoring Guide - ELA Writing Grade 6
- AASA Scoring Guide - ELA Writing Grade 7
- AASA Scoring Guide - ELA Writing Grade 8
Math
- AASA Scoring Guide - Math Grade 3
- AASA Scoring Guide - Math Grade 4
- AASA Scoring Guide - Math Grade 5
- AASA Scoring Guide - Math Grade 6
- AASA Scoring Guide - Math Grade 7
- AASA Scoring Guide - Math Grade 8
Writing Presentation - presented 11-9-21; updated 12-17-21
The Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) test section is administered to all third grade students.
- Recommended Seating Arrangements
- Headphone and Microphone Requirements
- Pearson Headset Recommendations
- Accessibility for Grade 3 ORF Items Updated 10-27-22
- ORF Frequently Asked Questions Updated 10-27-22
Oral Reading Fluency Presentation - presented 11-8-21
ELA Item Specifications
Math Item Specifications
These PLDs are aligned to the 2016 English Language Arts Standards and Mathematics Standards.
ELA
Math
AASA Writing Resources - Descriptions New 1-26-23
Writing Rubrics
- Grades 3-5 Informative-Explanatory Rubric
- Grades 3-5 Opinion Rubric
- Grades 6-8 Informative-Explanatory Rubric
- Grades 6-8 Argumentative Rubric
Writing Guides
- Grades 3-5 Informative-Explanatory
- Grades 3-5 Opinion
- Grade 6 Argumentative
- Grades 6-8 Informative-Explanatory
- Grades 7-8 Argumentative
Writing Rubric Guides - 11-1-22
Annotated Writing Samples Guides - 11-7-22
Writing Prompt Templates
Grade level prompt templates can be found in the Item Specifications documents for your grade level.
ADE Writing Presentation for AASA - 12-10-21
Writing Presentation - presented 11-9-21; updated 12-17-21
ELA
Read-Aloud Guidance for Paper-Based Testing
Math
- Calculator Guidance - updated 10-18-22
- Hess Math Matrix
- Desmos Graphing Calculator
- Desmos Scientific Calculator
- Grid-In Response Items (for Paper-Based Testing)
ACT Aspire
Computer-Based Testing Window: April 3-28, 2023
Paper-Based Test Window: April 3 - 12, 2023
AZ State Standards Alignment Guide for ACT and ACT Aspire 5-27-22
Student Sandbox and Exemplar Booklets
Exemplar - Writing Test Prompt - See page 5 for Writing Rubric
AzSCI
AzSCI Test Window
March 20 – April 14, 2023
- AzSCI Sample Tests and Tutorials Directions: Select Arizona, then click on "Mic Check and Sample Tests"
Scoring Guides for Sample Tests
- AzSCI Scoring Guide_Grade 5 - Updated 10-24-22
- AzSCI Scoring Guide_Grade 8 - Updated 10-28-22
- AzSCI Scoring Guide_Grade_11 - Updated 10-25-22
AzSCI Item Specifications
- Grade Band 3-5 - Updated 1-9-23
- Grade Band 6-8 - Updated 1-9-23
- High School - Updated 1-9-23
- Grade Band 3-5 - 8-1-22, updated 11-7-22
- Grade Band 6-8 - 8-1-22, updated 11-7-22
- High School - 8-1-22
AzSCI Cut Scores - Board-approved July 2022
Exhibit for Grades 8 and 11
Exhibit for Grade 11
- Formula Reference Guide - updated 9-21-21
- Calculator Guidance - updated 10-18-22
ACT
ACT Test Window 1
- Paper (Standard): March 21, 2023
- Paper (Accommodations): March 21-24 and March 27-31, 2023
- Online (Standard & Accommodations): March 21-23 and March 28-30, 2023
ACT Test Window 2
- Paper (Standard): April 4, 2023
- Paper (Accommodations): April 4-7 and April 10-14, 2023
- Onlnie (Standard & Accommodations): April 4-6 and April 11-13, 2023
New for Spring 2023: Schools may utilize both published state ACT test windows in order to assess all Cohort 2024 students. Schools are encouraged to administer the ACT during the first test window and to use the second test wnidow, as needed, to complete any makeup testing. Schools administering ACT on paper may also use the online test dates for makeup testing. Any schools that choose to administer the ACT during only the second test window will not have an additional ACT test window to use for makeup testing.
Test window selection will be made in ACT's PearsonAccessnext platform in Fall 2022.
AZ State Standards Alignment Guide for ACT and ACT Aspire Revised 9-20-22
Arizona Alignment Matrix 11-7-22
- ACT English PLDs 1-31-23
- ACT Reading PLDs 1-31-23
- ACT Math PLDs 1-31-23
- ACT Cut Scores - Board-approved July 2022
