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
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 10-26-21
- ORF Frequently Asked Questions Updated 10-22-21
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
ADE Writing Presentation for AASA - New 12-10-21
Writing Presentation - presented 11-9-21; updated 12-17-21
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
New Annotated Writing Samples and AASA Writing Rubric Guides will be available Fall 2022. The following AzM2 documents can still be utilized for the 2021-2022 school year.
Annotated Writing Samples
Rubric Guides
- AzM2 Writing Rubric Guide: Grades 3-5 Opinion – pdf
- AzM2 Writing Rubric Guide: Grades 6-HS Informative – pdf
Writing Prompts
Additional grade level prompts can be found in the Item Specifications documents for your grade level.
ELA
Read-Aloud Guidance for Paper-Based Testing
Math
- Calculator Guidance Revised 1-29-22
- 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"
Recorded Videos for Using the Sample Tests
Scoring Guides for Sample Tests
AzSCI Item Specifications
- Grade Band 3-5 - 8-1-22
- Grade Band 6-8 - 8-1-22
- 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 Revised 1-29-22
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 5-27-22
- ACT Cut Scores - Board-approved July 2022
