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.

Educator Committee Application

 

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

 

 

Scoring Guides for Sample Tests

ELA

 

 

 

Math

 

The Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) test section is administered to all third grade students.

 

AASA ELA Blueprints

AASA Math Blueprints

AASA Cut Scores

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

 

Writing Guides

 

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

 

Read-Aloud Guidance 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

TestNav 8 Tutorial

ACT Calculator Policy

ACT Aspire Technical Manual

K-12 Academic Standards

Kindergarten Entry Assessment

ADE Assistive Technology Resources

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

 

 

Scoring Guides for Sample Tests

AzSCI Item Specifications

AzSCI Cut Scores - Board-approved July 2022

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 Calculator Policy

College Entrance Exams and State Standards

Free ACT Test Prep

MyACT Resources

ACT Technical Manual

Writing - Sample Essays

Writing - Scoring Rubric