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
Arizona's Academic Standards Assessment (AASA) is the statewide achievement test for Arizona students in Grades 3-8. All Arizona public school students in Grades 3-8 will take the grade level AASA assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics.
Spring 2024 Testing
Computer-Based Testing: April 1 - April 26, 2024
- Writing must be completed by April 12, 2024
Paper-Based Testing: April 1 - April 10, 2024
- Writing must be scheduled for April 1 or 2, 2024
- 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
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
- ORF Frequently Asked Questions
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
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
Annotated Writing Samples Guides
Writing Prompt Templates
Grade level prompt templates can be found in the Item Specifications documents for your grade level.
ELA
Read-Aloud Guidance for Paper-Based Testing
Math
- Calculator Guidance
- Hess Math Matrix
- Desmos Graphing Calculator
- Desmos Scientific Calculator
- Grid-In Response Items (for Paper-Based Testing)
ACT Aspire
ACT Aspire is the statewide high school achievement test administered to students in Grade 9/Cohort 2027 in Spring 2024.
Computer-Based Testing Window: April 1-26, 2024
Paper-Based Test Window: April 1 - 10, 2024
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, Arizona's statewide achievement test for Science, is administered to students in Grade 5 (equally covering domains from Grades 3/4/5 standards), Grade 8 (equally covering domains from Grade 6/7/8 standards), and Grade 11/Cohort 2025 (equally covering domains from high school standards) in Spring 2024.
AzSCI Test Window
March 18 – April 12, 2024
- AzSCI Sample Tests and Tutorials Directions: Select Arizona, then click on "Mic Check and Sample Tests"
Scoring Guides for Sample Tests
AzSCI Item Specifications
AzSCI Cut Scores - Board-approved July 2022
Exhibit for Grades 8 and 11
Exhibit for Grade 11
ACT
ACT is the statewide high school achievement test administered to students in Grade 11/Cohort 2025 in Spring 2024.
ACT Test Window 1
- Paper (Standard): March 26, 2024
- Paper (Accommodations): March 26-29 and April 1-5, 2024
- Online (Standard & Accommodations): March 26-29 and April 1-5, 2024
ACT Test Window 2
- Paper (Standard): April 9, 2024
- Paper (Accommodations): April 9-12 and April 15-19, 2024
- Onlnie (Standard & Accommodations): April 9-12 and April 15-19, 2024
For Spring 2024, schools may utilize both published state ACT test windows in order to assess all Cohort 2025 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 2023.
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