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AZELLA DTCs

AZELLA DTCs

AZELLA

The Arizona English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA) is a standards-based assessment that meets state and federal requirements to measure students' English language proficiency. AZELLA is used for both placement and reassessment purposes. The AZELLA is administered to eligible Kindergarten through Grade 12 students.

The AZELLA District Test Coordinator (DTC) is responsible for all the AZELLA administrations - the year-round Placement (Dynamic Screener) and the annual Spring Reassessment Summative.

This web page is dedicated to the administration, scoring, and reporting of the English Language Proficiency Assessment.

AZELLA FAQsPlacement Test FAQsReassessment Test FAQs

AZELLA Calendars and AZELLAology (Virtual Office Hours)

Test Administration Calendars and Important Notices

Test Administration Calendars

 

2026-2027 Test Administration Windows

AZELLA Placement - Dynamic Screener

The AZELLA Placement - Dynamic Screener administration window opens on July 20, 2026, continues through the school year and closes on May 14, 2027. Districts may start testing their students on July 20 provided the following:

  1. The District Test Coordinator, School Test Coordinators, and Test Administrators have met all the training requirements, signed the AZELLA Test Security Agreement (staff) for the 2026-2027 SY, and the
  2. First instructional school day is between July 6 - July 31.

NOTE: Schools whose first instructional day is August 3rd and after may start testing as early as 2 weeks before the first instructional day of school provided the District Test Coordinator, School Test Coordinators, and Test Administrators have met all the training requirements and signed the AZELLA Test Security Agreement (staff) for the 2026-2027 school year.

Spring 2027 AZELLA Reassessment - Summative

The Spring 2027 AZELLA Reassessment - Summative test administration window is February 1 - March 19, 2027.

 

Important Notices

All Arizona districts and charters will be completing and submitting the District Test Coordinator (DTC) Test Security Agreement (TSA) for SY 2026-2027 online. This is a new online application in ADEConnect for the district entity administrator, Superintendent, and District Test Coordinator for all state assessments.

 

AZELLAology - Live Question and Answers

AZELLAology - AZELLA Virtual Office Hours

AZELLAology is an open invitation for our AZELLA District Test Coordinators (DTC) to attend a virtual customer service call using the Microsoft Teams application (camera is not required) where ADE's Assessment AZELLA Team answers your AZELLA questions and shares AZELLA important information, news, guidance, and mini-tutorials about a variety of AZELLA-related topics. ADE's AZELLA Team shares our live screen to coach you through different AZELLA applications, reports, systems, and other AZELLA topics. AZELLAology attendance is not a requirement, but if you see a topic that interests you, please plan to attend. AZELLAology is very informative, and AZELLA DTCs have found the sessions to be valuable.

Each live video call is accessed through the Microsoft Teams application. The optional video call will be up to one hour and focused on specific AZELLA topics. We will answer individual session-specific questions during this hour. We value your time; therefore, we cannot ensure all questions will be answered within the session, but we will provide details on how to reach us if your question is not addressed during the session. These AZELLAology sessions are informal and not recorded.

All scheduled AZELLAology sessions, unless otherwise noted, begin at 8:00am and end at 9:00am. Your first connection to AZELLAology will take you to a web page (https://teams.microsoft.com) for Microsoft Teams. The Microsoft Teams application can be accessed by 1) Downloading the Windows app, 2) Using Microsoft Teams through the current web browser without downloading anything, or 3) Opening your desktop, phone, or tablet app from Microsoft Teams.

Click here to join the AZELLAology Session

After you click on the above button or use the link below, before the session starts, you will be placed into a waiting room until the session begins. The same link is used for all scheduled sessions.

(teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MTllMWJhNTktMThmMi00OWU0LWE1ZjMtYmZjMTMyMTY0OGYx%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2258a5b0cb-441f-42ba-a5a1-8fdfd05a3ffc%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22154367f7-d664-4917-9581-9b81d8602473%22%7d)

Monthly Scheduled Sessions and Topics

TUESDAY, October 6, 2026, from 8:00am - 9:00am

  • TBD
  • Your Questions

 

Mark your calendar for:

  • THURSDAY, November 19, 2026, from 8:00am - 9:00am
  • TUESDAY, December 15, 2026, from 8:00am - 9:00am
  • TUESDAY, January 12, 2027, from 8:00am - 9:30am
  • TUESDAY, February 9, 2027, from 8:00am - 9:30am

AZELLA Information and Guidance

AZELLA Information / ADEConnect Account 

AZELLA Basic Information Documents

 

ADEConnect Account

All District Test Coordinators are required to have an ADEConnect account, and the role of "AZELLA District Test Coordinator" must be requested.

For access to ADEConnect, you will need to contact your district/charter ADEConnect Entity Administrator and request to have the District Test Coordinator role be assigned to you. If you do not know who your ADEConnect Entity Admin is, you can contact IT Application Support at 602-542-7378 so they can verify.

There is only one (1) designated role of “AZELLA District Test Coordinator” in ADEConnect for each district. All others may have the role of “ELL” in ADEConnect.

ADEConnect Entity Administrator, please follow the instructions in the ADEConnect How-To Videos and the ADEConnect Frequently Asked Questions. Here are the direct links:
https://adeconnect.azed.gov/Faq

Any questions related to ADEConnect accounts, please contact ADE Support Center at 602-542-5393.

To find the district or charter's ADEConnect Entity Admin, please follow this link: https://adeconnect.azed.gov/FindEA.

 

English Language (EL)/Special Education (SPED) Test Administration Information

EL/SPED Test Administration Information

AZELLA ELPA21 Accommodations Manual October 2026

Special Update - ELs with Disabilities May 2019

Additional Accommodation Request Form

This secure request form is for one student. One (1) submission per student will cover one or both AZELLA test administrations for the current school year for the student. Additional accommodations must be requested annually. Submissions from prior school years are not valid for the current school year. Students must have a current IEP or 504 Plan with accommodations for state testing and daily instruction. All requests must be submitted and approved by ADE's Assessment unit prior to administering an English language proficiency assessment to the student. It may take up to 4 calendar weeks to complete the review process for one student submission; therefore, please submit your requests early in the school year.

As students transfer to new schools, the new district must submit the request as soon as practicable to ensure timely identification of English learners with the Placement (Dynamic Screener) and to ensure that Special Version test materials are in districts well before the closing of the Spring Reassessment Summative test window. 

AZELLA Additional Accommodations Request Form 2026-2027

  • AZELLA 2026-2027 Placement (Dynamic Screener) request forms - submission deadline is August 27, 2026. Submit early!
  • AZELLA Spring 2027 Reassessment Summative request forms - submission deadline is December 10, 2026.

AZELLA Additional Accommodation to Administer the Test in More than 5 Instructional Days

  • This request is used for students with a current IEP or 504 Plan, and the ONLY additional accommodation that is needed is for additional time to administer the AZELLA.

Accommodated Forms For Placement - Dynamic Screener and Reassessment - Summative

  • Special Paper Version (SPV)
  • SPV Large Print
  • Braille
  • American Sign Language (ASL)

Alternate English Language Proficiency Assessment (Alt ELPA)

Information about the Alt ELPA can be found at /assessment/AltELPA.

When the student's IEP Team has determined the student is eligible for Alternate Assessments, then the student must be administered the Alt ELPA Screener in lieu of the AZELLA Placement Test and the Spring Alt ELPA Summative test in lieu of the Spring AZELLA Reassessment test.

Alt ELPA follows the same AZELLA testing compliance timeframes.

Alt ELPA Screener replaces the AZELLA Placement (Dynamic Screener) test.

Alt ELPA Summative replaces the Spring AZELLA Reassessment Summative.

Alt ELPA (ADE) Web Page

Practice Tests

Practice Tests

The Practice Tests are found on Cambium's AZ Portal under the Test Administrator tile.

Practice for Test Administration: Become familiar with the TA Interface and proctor practice sessions for students.

Cambium Assessment, Inc. and TIDE

Cambium Assessment, Inc. (CAI)

Arizona Help Desk

Follow the CONTACT US on the AZ Portal.

Toll-Free Phone Support: 1-844-560-7812

Follow the prompts for digital testing and listen to the options for your area of concern.

Email Support: [email protected]

Chat Support: https://az.portal.cambiumast.com/contact.html

AZ Portal

https://az.portal.cambiumast.com/

Find many Cambium resources (PowerPoint trainings), the link (tile) for Test Administrators (DTCs and STCs use this as well), see current Announcements, access to ClearCourse LMS, information for Technology Coordinators, and practice tests (when available).

TIDE (Test Information Distribution Engine)

https://az.tide.cambiumast.com/

TIDE is the all-in-one secure control center for all test registrations and administration tasks that users are required to prepare for student testing.

TIDE's interface includes administrative tasks that must be performed before testing begins and the tasks performed while tests are being administered to students.

AZELLA DTCs are permitted to submit Appeals through TIDE for test irregularities. 

AZELLA Grade Bands

  • Kindergarten
  • Grade 1
  • Grades 2-3
  • Grades 4-5
  • Grades 6-8
  • Grades 9-12

Test Design: AZELLA Placement - Dynamic Screener

K-12 Online

Eligible K-12 students will be administered an AZELLA Placement - Dynamic Screener. DTCs must register students for this test.

  • This is a 3-step screener.
  • Kindergarten and Grade 1: all steps must be administered 1-on-1.
  • Grades 2-12:  Steps 1 and 2 are administered 1-on-1. Students that advance to Step 3 may be able to complete it independently.
  • Earbuds and headsets with unidirectional noise canceling microphones are necessary for Grades 2-12 students who complete Step 3 independently.

There is only one (1) Kindergarten AZELLA Placement - Dynamic Screener test. The scoring for Overall Proficiency Level changes on January 1.

EL Group 8 students have their own Placement Test and must be identified as EL Group 8 in TIDE with their test registration.

  • EL Group 8 students are identified as such on the EL73 Report.
  • EL Group 8 students have a RED font message on their EL70 Report.

Cambium Assessment, Inc. (CAI) will release student-level data for the Placement - Dynamic Screener test in the Centralized Reporting System (CRS) to authorized users for download at any time, supporting district and school needs.

  • Results for students who only complete Step 1 is available immediately.
  • Results for students who only complete Steps 1 and 2 may take up to 10 minutes from submission, if not immediately.
  • Results for students who complete Steps 1, 2, and 3 may take 2-5 business days due to human scoring validation. 

Test Design: Spring AZELLA Reassessment - Summative

K-12 Online

ADE will provide Cambium with a student data file to pre-register students for the Spring AZELLA Reassessment - Summative test. Students not included in the data file will have to be manually added to TIDE by the district.

All K-12 English learners will be administered the Spring AZELLA Reassessment - Summative test.

  • Four subtests, one for each domain
  • Headsets and microphones are required
  • Tests may be administered 1-on-1, small group, and larger groups by grade band; Speaking domain sub-test may have up to 6 students in a classroom-sized testing room
  • ADE recommends a 1-on-1 administration of the Speaking domain sub-test for Kindergarten and Grade 1 students to assist with the technology
  • No keyboarding for Kindergarten and Grade 1 Writing domain
  • Students administered the Placement - Dynamic Screener after MARCH 1, 2027, are not required to complete the Spring 2027 AZELLA Reassessment - Summative

 

ELP Results

ELP Results

ALL AZELLA Placement 2025-2026 and Spring 2026 Reassessment published reports and Student Data Files must be downloaded and saved from PearsonAccess Next by September 30, 2026. PAN will be closed for AZELLA after September 30, 2026. ADE nor Pearson retains these reports and files.

 

April 8, 2026 - AZELLA Reassessment Adjustments for Spring 2026

 

Individual Student Reports

DTCs receive 2 paper copies of the Individual Student Reports (ISR).

  • 1 copy of the ISR must be placed in the student's cumulative file

  • 1 copy of the ISR must be distributed to the parent(s)

Enrolling Eligible Students in EL Program Services

Enrolling students in EL Program Services is completed through your Student Information System and then synchronized to AzEDS. 

  • Students must have a "current" ELP record. "Current" means the most current ELP test record is dated during the current school year or the prior school year. For the 2026-2027 school year, the most current ELP record must have an Overall Proficiency Level of less than Proficient, show a status of "Eligible for EL Services," and must be dated during the 2025-2026 school year or the 2026-2027 school year.

  • When the student is administered a new 2026-2027 AZELLA Placement (Dynamic Screener) test or the 2026-2027 Alt ELPA Screener and the results indicate the student is Eligible for EL Services, the enrollment date of such services should be the day AFTER the AZELLA Placement (Dynamic Screener) record or Alt ELPA Screener record date so the student will pass Integrity.

 

Exiting Reclassified Students from EL Program Services

When a student is initially administered an ELP test and receives an Overall Proficiency Level of Proficient, that student is considered to be Initial Fluent English Proficient (IFEP) and is not eligible for EL program services. The student is also not eligible for any additional ELP testing without a parent signed Mainstream to EL referral form. 

When an EL student (a student who has an ELP test history) receives an Overall Proficiency Level of Proficient on an ELP test, the district or school must reclassify the student as Fluent English Proficient (FEP) by exiting the student from EL services through your Student Information System using the exit code of ELL01.

State EL Reclassification Rate

State Assessment Results and A-F Letter Grades

ADE's Accountability & Research Division is responsible for calculating and publishing the State EL Reclassification Rate. These files are available by Fiscal Year under the "State Assessment Public Files" and in the "English Learner Proficiency Test - AZELLA" section from the Accountability & Research Data website.

/accountability-research/data

The 2026 state EL reclassification rate will be published in the Fall of 2026 by ADE's Accountability & Research Division.

Please contact ADE's Accountability & Research Division at [email protected] with your questions.

Forms and Reports

Test Security

AZELLA Test Security and Ethics Training

District Test Coordinator Test Security Agreement Form

  • 2026-2027 District Test Coordinator (DTC) Test Security Agreement (TSA)

    • All Arizona districts and charters are completing and submitting the District Test Coordinator (DTC) Test Security Agreement (TSA) for SY 2026-2027 online. This is a new online application in ADEConnect (Assessments Portal) for the district entity administrator, Superintendent or Charter Representative, and the District Test Coordinators for all state assessments.

    • A new agreement form must be submitted whenever the Superintendent/Charter Representative changes, and when the District Test Coordinator changes.

    • There is only one (1) AZELLA District Test Coordinator per school district and charter district.

    • Shipping address changes must be reported to the AZELLA Team at [email protected].

    • ADEConnect > Applications > Assessments Portal > Test Security > Test Security Agreement (TSA)

AZELLA Test Security Agreement Form

AZELLA Test Security and Ethics Incident Report

 

Student Privacy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. This law applies to all schools that receive U.S. Department of Education funds under applicable programs, including the states' English Language Proficiency assessments.

ELP records, reports, and materials may contain Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and sensitive information about a student’s educational background and historical performance. As such, we are all responsible for protecting all ELP records for authorized users only and securing assessment materials to prevent the accidental disclosure of the information they contain.

Do not include students' names and/or dates of birth in the body of emails. Use their State Student Identification (SSID) number. When images are included in the body of emails, all student-identifiable information except for the SSID number must be extracted or blacked out before adding the image to the email.

 

English Language Proficiency (ELP) Reports

English Language Proficiency Reports

Due to Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and sensitive information about a student’s educational background and historical performances included in these reports, access is limited to authorized users only. Students must have a current school enrollment that has passed integrity checks before users will be able to view the data included in these reports. An ADEConnect account is required with the role of "AZELLA District Test Coordinator" (one per district) or with an "ELL" role or title to be able to access the reports. The following resource documents explain how to read the 3 different English Language Proficiency (ELP) Reports that are produced by the ADE's Assessments unit. The ELP Reports are located on ADEConnect > Assessments >> ELP Reports.

The EL70 - ELP Student Test History Report

  • The EL70 Report is available for authorized users only, and all student privacy protocols must be adhered to.
  • The EL70 Report is a single student-only report.
  • This report is updated as new assessment data becomes available, and EL services information has passed integrity checks.
  • The EL70 Report must be reviewed and printed or downloaded for every new student entering the school, including students with an all-English Home Language Survey.
  • The EL70 Report may be viewed and downloaded for a student after the school enrollment transaction has passed Integrity. The student's school enrollment can be verified through the district's STUD10 - Student Data Verification Report from the AzEDS Portal in ADEConnect.
  • Districts are allowed access to a student's EL70 Report two weeks before the student's first day of enrollment and an additional two weeks after a student's last day of enrollment in the district.

The EL72 - ELP Test Roster Report

  • The EL72 Report is a Fiscal Year report for student English Language Proficiency (ELP) data that was administered within a district. 
  • This report is published by the district and school.
  • The current plus three prior fiscal year reports are available.

The EL73 - EL Student Need Report

  • The EL73 Report is a live report published by the district and school.
  • Students with an EL need will appear on this report after their school enrollment transaction has passed Integrity. The student's school enrollment can be verified through the district's STUD10 - Student Data Verification Report from the AzEDS Portal in ADEConnect.
  • The EL73 Report should be downloaded and reviewed every week for every school.
  • The EL73 Report should be downloaded during the last few days of the school year.
  • When students achieve a Proficient level, and that record has been reported out, they will no longer be included in this report.
  • When students withdraw from school, they will no longer be included in this report for that school.

Test Administration Observation Form

Test Administration Observation Form

This observation form must be completed twice per school year per person administering the tests as applicable, once for the Placement (Dynamic Screener) administration and once for the Reassessment (Summative) administration. This is intended for all DTCs, STCs, and TAs that administer the AZELLA. Completed checklists are to be kept with the AZELLA DTC through the end of the fiscal year in which they were used. 

2026-2027 School Year 

 

Testing Logs

Student Testing Log

The Student Testing Log may be edited to meet the school's needs; however, when ADE requests any testing logs, the information included in the provided Student Testing Log must be included when submitted to ADE. Do not include student names and dates of birth in the Student Testing Logs that are submitted to ADE. 

  • K-12 Student Testing Log Placement Dynamic Screener
    • The Test Administrator (TA) of record will enter the student's SSID number, grade level, the date each step was administered by this TA and mark the stopping rules applied, identify whether assistance with technology was provided, and indicate the approved testing accommodations that were used by the student.

  • K-12 Student Testing Log Reassessment Summative - COMING SOON

 

Student and Staff Entry and Exit of Testing Room Logs

Schools are expected to have student and staff sign-in and sign-out logs for every testing room. Many districts are already using such forms. ADE is providing a sample for this; however, schools may create their own logs to use. When an electronic version is created and used, STCs must have the ability to print the logs should ADE request them. These logs need to be saved at the school or district through June 30th of the current school year.

English Language Proficiency Attestation

English Language Proficiency Assessment ADMINISTRATOR Attestation

District Test Coordinators, School Test Coordinators, and Test Administrators must attest to being proficient English speakers who can model clear standard pronunciation of English prior to any ELP test administrations. DTCs must keep this form for 6 fiscal years and provide it to ADE upon request.

English Language Proficiency Assessment Administrator Attestation 2026-2027 (PDF)

Student Data File (SDF) Layouts for Student Information Systems

Student Data File Layouts

The Student Data File (SDF) layouts do not include student data. The district's Student Information System (SIS) (i.e., Synergy, PowerSchool, Infinite Campus, etc.) administrator/IT must work with the SIS vendor to incorporate the layouts prior to uploading the Student Data Files (SDF) (containing student information) from each test administration into your SIS. 

SDF Template to use with your district's Student Information System is available in Cambium's AZ Portal > Resources.

PearsonAccess Next (PAN) for the 2025-2026 SY

PearsonAccess Next (PAN) for the 2025-2026 School Year closes on September 30, 2026

 

2025-2026 AZELLA Student Data Files and Layouts (Pearson)

There are 2 specific AZELLA test administration layouts for the 2025-2026 school year. One is for the AZELLA Placement Test, and one is for the Spring AZELLA Reassessment Test. They are different layout files! Using the Student Data Files that are provided by Pearson is optional. If your district/charter intends to use the Student Data Files provided by Pearson (not ADE) for your Student Information System, you must use the Student Data File Layouts as well. Download one copy of the Layout file (by test administration) and forward the file unopened to your SIS administrator. Your SIS administrator will need to work with your SIS vendor to use these files.

All AZELLA Placement 2025-2026 and Spring 2026 Reassessment Student Data Files must be downloaded from PearsonAccess Next by September 30, 2026. Pearson nor ADE retain these files.  

Spring AZELLA Reassessment - Summative Test Referral Form

Spring 2027 Reassessment - Summative Referral Form

The completed and signed Spring 2027 Reassessment - Summative referral form must be placed in the student's cumulative file.

  • Spring 2027 AZELLA Reassessment Summative Referral Form - COMING December 2026
    • Students with an all-English Home Language Survey and the student is demonstrating a need for English language development services.
    • Former EL students who received an Overall Proficiency Level of Proficient on their most current ELP record and are demonstrating a new need for English language development services.

AZELLA Trainings and Qualifications

AZELLA Trainings and Qualifications

There are four parts to AZELLA training that may be completed in any order, but they must be completed prior to administering the AZELLA to students. Cambium will provide the online training modules for the District Test Coordinators, School Test Coordinators, and Test Administrators. All AZELLA staff must sign the 2026-2027 AZELLA Test Security Agreement prior to any AZELLA tests being administered.

Part 1: DTC Created Training for Staff

  • Placement Dynamic Screener/Group 8 Administration
  • Spring Reassessment Summative Administration

Before the administration of the AZELLA begins, the AZELLA DTC is responsible for creating and delivering a Placement Test Administration training presentation that is reflective of the state’s and the district’s testing policy and procedures, test security and ethics, protocols for safeguarding materials, student privacy, testing irregularities and security and ethics violations, AZELLA chain of command, test materials, testing schedules, and more. All district and school AZELLA staff, including School Test Coordinators, Test Administrators, and Proctors are required to participate in the training activity. Attendance rosters with signatures are required. If needed, this presentation may be shared virtually. There must be one session for the AZELLA Placement - Dynamic Screener and another session for the Spring AZELLA Reassessment - Summative.

AZELLA State Policies.pdf

Part 2: ClearCourse LMS - ELPA21 Courses

The AZELLA training courses are in Cambium’s new ClearCourse Learning Management System (LMS). The ClearCourse LMS tile (link) can be found in Cambium's AZ Portal and then click on the Test Administrator box on the left side of the screen. Test Administration Manuals (TAMs) for AZELLA will be available as a resource on July 20, 2026

  • Placement - Dynamic Screener
    • ELPA21 Screener Module 1: Screener Process for Potential ELs 
    • ELPA21 Screener Module 2: Prepare for the Dynamic Screener.
    • ELPA21 Screener Module 3: On-the-Fly Scoring
    • ELPA21 Screener Module 4: Accessibility and Accommodations
  • Reassessment - Summative

Part 3: Cambium PowerPoint Trainings

These PowerPoints are available in Cambium's AZ Portal > Resources section. They may be downloaded and viewed. These are valuable for the day-to-day tasks of test management, student registrations, and monitoring test progress, etc.

  • Reporting System Training Module
  • Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE) Overview Training
  • Response Entry Training Module
  • Printing Test Tickets in TIDE
  • Appeals Process in TIDE (test irregularities)
  • Participation Reports in TIDE
  • Test Delivery System (TDS) Overview

Part 4: Test Administrator Certification Course

 

  • Placement Dynamic Screener/Group 8 Administration
  • Spring Reassessment Summative Administration

Starting on July 20, 2026, the required online TA Certification Course will be available in Cambium's AZ Portal under the Test Administrator box. DTCs, STCs, and TAs access the online TA Certification Course using the same user credentials they use to access the test administration system. This is a required self-paced course that includes detailed instructions on creating and managing test sessions, monitoring student activity, setting accommodations, and implementing test security measures. This course is designed to familiarize TAs, DTCs, and STCs with the Student Interface, the TA Interface, the approval process, and the tools students use during testing. To ensure that TAs have learned the skills necessary to administer tests using the new online system, each user must complete the course, pass a quiz, and sign a test security agreement form before being permitted to sign in to the online testing system. This course must be completed once per school year.

 

AZELLA training matrix for the 2026-2027 School Year

Presentations and Useful Web Links

Presentations

Useful Web Links

Contact Information

Contact Information

ADE's Assessments AZELLA Inbox ([email protected]) should be your first contact concerning English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment questions. All questions concerning training modules, test administration, students eligible and required to test, test administration schedules, test irregularities, ELP test records, issues with the EL70, EL72, and EL73 Reports, and any issues that arise during test administration should be sent to the AZELLA Inbox. Our team is able to respond to you much faster through email. We strive to respond within 1 business day to all emails and voicemails. ADE is closed on the weekends and all holidays.

High Importance – For issues that arise during actual student testing, send an email to the AZELLA Inbox and indicate in the subject line “Students Testing – Need Help.” Mark your email with a High Importance tag. Include a phone number that we can contact with you at if necessary. In the email, include:

  • the student's SSID number,
  • grade level,
  • the district and school information,
  • any error message or code(s) that the student or TA is receiving, and
  • information about the situation is required.

ADE will respond as quickly as possible. Do not leave a voice message, as these calls are not responded to as quickly as emails.

Alternate Assessments District Test Coordinators

Alternate Assessments District Test Coordinators

Welcome, Alternate Assessment District Test Coordinator!

For the 2026-2027 school year, the Arizona Department of Education has launched an electronic application for submitting the District Test Coordinator (DTC) Test Security Agreement (TSA). This role will give access to both the Alternate Assessment and the 1% Threshold applications. There is a tutorial video and supplemental PowerPoint regarding this new electronic process for filling out the Test Security Agreement. Only electronic form submissions will be accepted. For step-by-step instructions regarding the electronic test security agreement, please refer to the Assessments Portal Test Security Agreement User Guide.

The Alternate Assessment District Test Coordinator Handbook covers tasks, deadlines, and calendar dates for this school year. In the handbook, you will find explicit instructions as well as screenshots for step-by-step access. The Alternate Assessment District Test Coordinator will oversee MSAA, Alt ELPA Summative, and the Alt ELPA Screener. Each assessment has its own respective timeline, so please review the Alternate Assessment DTC Handbook on page 2 for calendar dates and further guidance.

If you need assistance, please contact us by emailing the Alternate Assessment inbox at [email protected].

 

 

Testing Dates and Updates

Alt ELPA Screener

July 20, 2026 - May 7, 2027


Alt ELPA Summative Testing

February 1, 2027 - March 19, 2027


MSAA Testing 

TBD

Test Security Agreements

  • For the 2026-2027 school year, the Arizona Department of Education has launched an electronic application for submitting the District Test Coordinator (DTC) Test Security Agreement (TSA). This role will give access to both the Alternate Assessment and the 1% Threshold Application. There is a tutorial video and supplemental PowerPoint regarding this new electronic process for filling out the Test Security Agreement. Only electronic form submissions will be accepted. For step-by-step instructions regarding the electronic test security agreement, please refer to the Assessments Portal Test Security Agreement User Guide.
  • Alternate Assessment Test Security Agreement for Test Administrators **Do not return to ADE. Keep the signed form(s) at the district office for 6 years.

Registering Students in the Student Selector Application

  • For MSAA and Alt ELPA Summative, the District Test Coordinator will select alternate assessment eligible students in the Student Selector Application starting October 1 through the last day of November.


For the MSAA, the Alternate Assessment Eligibility Form needs completion and filing within the student's current IEP. 

For the Alt ELPA Screener, District Test Coordinators will need to submit the Alt ELPA Screener Request Webform to request to add eligible students.

Alt ELPA Screener and Summative eligible students must meet all requirements:

  1. Student has current SPED records in AzEDS.
  2. Alternate Assessment Eligibility Form completed by the IEP team.
  3. Home Language Survey (HLS) indicating a language other than English, sign language other than ASL, or missing an English language proficiency test.

Reporting Results

The ADE Alternate Assessment Unit ships two hard copies of each student report (MSAA and Alt ELPA Summative) to the District of Attendance during the Summer. When the District of Attendance receive the reports, one copy should be sent home to the parents/guardians, and the other copy should be placed in the student’s secure file. 


Alt ELPA Student Reports

Alt ELPA Summative reports from the Spring administration are available in TIDE.

Alt ELPA Screener reports will be available immediately after testing in TIDE. Based on the results, follow the same processes required by the Office of English Language Acquisition Services (OELAS) as you would for students who take the AZELLA Placement Test.

MSAA Student Reports 

Math, ELA, and Science reports are only available during the current reporting window; however, the Accountability application in ADEConnect can provide individual student scores from previous years. 

The MSAA Parent Guides accompany the student reports and should be sent home with the student. Teachers may download additional MSAA Parent Guides from the ADE Assessment website on the tab labeled "MSAA Parent Resources". 

Performance Level Descriptors - MSAA (ELA and Mathematics)

MSAA Science Extended Performance Expectations (EPE)

Practice Site

The MSAA Practice Site was developed as a way to become familiar with the MSAA sample items and the Assessment experience. The MSAA Practice Site does not require a username or password.

The Alt ELPA practice items can be found in the TIDE portal under "Practice Test Administration."

IEP Team Eligibility Determination

ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT ELIGIBILITY

Students must meet the eligibility requirements as determined by the student’s IEP team in order to participate in the State’s Alternate Assessments. The Alternate Assessment Eligibility Form needs completion and filing within the student's current IEP. 

Specific accommodations for both instruction and the assessments should also be considered in the student’s annual IEP. Information regarding MSAA accommodations and eligibility criteria can be located on the ADE MSAA webpage under General Information.


The Alt ELPA is an alternate English language proficiency assessment designed for English learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Alt ELPA is tested in grades K-12.

MSAA was designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities. MSAA ELA & Mathematics are tested in grades 3 - 8 and 11. MSAA Science is testing in grades 5, 8, and 11.

1% Threshold Application

ACTION PLANS – 1% Threshold

Under federal regulation, the state is required to "provide appropriate oversight to each LEA that the State anticipates will assess more than 1% of its assessed students...using alternate assessments aligned with alternate academic achievement standards." An LEA may test students who qualify for alternate assessment, even if that participation means that the LEA will exceed 1%.

Alternate Assessment Test Coordinators will be notified of your LEA's percentages and will provide the next steps.

Contact Information

Please contact us by emailing the Alternate Assessment inbox at [email protected].

Achievement DTCs

Achievement DTCs

The Achievement District Test Coordinator (DTC) is responsible for ELA and Math assessments for students in grades 3-8 and Science assessments for students in grades 5, 8, and the 11th-grade cohort. The Achievement DTC is also responsible for administering ACT Aspire to students in the 9th-grade cohort and ACT to students in the 11th-grade cohort. 


2025-2026 Achievement District Test Coordinator Quick Guide - updated October 30, 2025

2025-2026 Achievement Tests Staff Security Agreement

Achievement Assessments - When to Contact Pearson or ADE

Achievement DTC Communications - 2025-2026 School Year 

March 30, 2026 - Achievement DTC Updates and Reminders

March 24, 2026 - Achievement DTC Updates and Reminders

March 16, 2026 - Achievement DTC Updates and Reminders

March 11, 2026 - Achievement DTC Updates and Reminders

March 3, 2026 - Achievement DTC Updates and Reminders

January 27, 2026 - Achievement DTC Updates and Reminders

January 12, 2026 - Message about remote monitoring software and AI usage

January 5, 2026 - Achievement DTC Updates and Reminders

December 17, 2025 - Achievement DTC Updates and Reminders

November 25, 2025 - Training Modules; ACT Test Window Selection

October 16, 2025 - Achievement DTC Updates

October 1, 2025 - Testing Mode Application; ACT Webinars

September 11, 2025 - Testing Mode Application; Accommodations

August 18, 2025 - ACT Webinar Registration Links

August 13, 2025 - Welcome Email

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.

Contact Pearson Customer Support for AASA:

888-705-9421, Option 3

Spring 2026 AASA District Test Coordinator Important Tasks Checklist

PearsonAccessnext for AASA and AzSCI

AASA Test Dates

Spring 2026 Testing

Computer-Based Testing: 

March 30 - April 24, 2026

  • Grades 3-8 Writing and Grade 3 Oral Reading Fluency must be completed by April 10, 2026

Paper-Based Testing: 

March 30 - April 8, 2026

  • Grades 3-8 Writing must be scheduled for March 30 or March 31, 2026
  • Grade 3 Oral Reading Fluency must be completed by April 10, 2026

Test Administration Information 

Spring 2026 Testing Mode

The Achievement Testing Mode Application was open in ADEConnect September 8 - October 3, 2025.

All Achievement testing (AASA, AzSCI, ACT Aspire, and ACT) is, by default, administered to students by computer. Requests for schools to administer paper tests must be received within ADEConnect during the window provided above. Requests must explain special circumstances for which paper testing is needed.

No action needs to be taken if school site(s) will administer computer-based assessments in Spring 2026.

Grade 3 Oral Reading Fluency

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

Special Paper Version Tests 

The following Special Paper Version (SPV) test formats are available to meet the needs of students who cannot access the test content through computer-based testing: Braille, large print, and regular print paper.

SPV test requests must be submitted to ADE for review and approval September 10, 2025 - February 6, 2026.

2025-2026 Special Paper Version Quick Guide

2025-2026 Special Paper Version Test Request Form

Arizona Accommodations Manual

Testing Accommodations 

Additional Accommodation Requests must be submitted to ADE for review and approval, September 10, 2025 - February 6, 2026.

2025-2026 Additional Accommodations Request Quick Guide

2025-2026 Additional Accommodations Request Form

Arizona Accommodations Manual

ADE Exceptional Student Services

AASA Blueprints and Cut Scores 

Technical Requirements 

Reporting 

AASA Spring 2026

May 15, 2026 - Electronic score reports, Student Data Files, and OnDemand Reports for Grade 3 ELA and Math are available in PearsonAccessnext

May 22, 2026 - Electronic score reports, Student Data Files, and OnDemand Reports for Grades 4-8 ELA and Math are available in PearsonAccessnext

May 29, 2026 - AASA Summary Cluster Performance Reports for Grades 3-8 ELA and Math are available in PearsonAccessnext

June 10, 2026 - The optional AASA Parent Portal will be available for parents to access their student's Individual Student Report. Schools that opt to participate must provide families with a claim code from PearsonAccessnext for them to access the AASA Parent Portal.

June 11, 2026 - Paper copies of score reports are delivered to districts and charters

June 12, 2026 - Performance Level Dashboards and Historical Student Data for Grades 3-8 ELA and Math are available in PearsonAccessnext

Spring 2026 AASA Student Data File Layout

AASA Reporting Guide

Spring 2026 Reportable Clusters

AASA Family Report Guide (English & Spanish)

AASA Parent Portal User Guide

AASA Parent Portal User Guide (Spanish)

 

ACT Aspire

ACT Aspire is the statewide high school achievement test administered to Arizona public school students in Grade 9/Cohort 2029 in Spring 2026.

Contact Pearson Customer Support for ACT Aspire:

888-705-9421, Option 4

Spring 2026 ACT Aspire Schedule of Events

Pearson-hosted ACT Aspire Support Website

PearsonAccessnext for ACT Aspire  - Spring 2026 administration opens January 14, 2026

ACT Aspire Test Dates 

Spring 2026 Testing

Computer-Based Testing:

  • March 30 - April 24, 2026

Paper-Based Testing:

  • March 30 - April 8, 2026

Test Administration Information 

Spring 2026 Testing Mode

The Achievement Testing Mode Application was open in ADEConnect September 8 - October 3, 2025.

All Achievement testing (AASA, AzSCI, ACT Aspire, and ACT) is, by default, administered to students by computer. Requests for schools to administer paper tests must be received within ADEConnect during the window provided above. Requests must explain special circumstances for which paper testing is needed.

No action needs to be taken if school site(s) will administer computer-based assessments in Spring 2026.

Special Paper Version Tests 

The following Special Paper Version (SPV) test formats are available to meet the needs of students who cannot access the test content through computer-based testing: Braille, large print, and regular print paper.

SPV test requests must be submitted to ADE for review and approval September 10, 2025 - February 6, 2026.

2025-2026 Special Paper Version Quick Guide

2025-2026 Special Paper Version Test Request Form

Arizona Accommodations Manual

Testing Accommodations 

ACT Aspire Accessibility Supports Guide

Additional Accommodation Requests must be submitted to ADE for review and approval September 10, 2025 - February 6, 2026.

  • Refer to the ACT Aspire Accessibility Supports Guide for details about accommodations that must be submitted and those that do not require a request.
  • Speech-to-Text is available as an accommodation for ACT Aspire that may be requested. Speech-to-Text requires a paper test and a 1:1 test administration.

2025-2026 Additional Accommodations Request Quick Guide

2025-2026 Additional Accommodations Request Form

Arizona Accommodations Manual

Student Personal Needs Profile (PNP) and Test Information File Layout

PearsonAccessnext 

ACT Aspire Exemplars 

ACT Aspire Exemplars and TestNav Tutorial - login information is not required

  • To access Exemplars, scroll to the bottom of the screen and select "Exemplars." Next, select the content area, followed by the Exemplar for "Early High School Grade 9 & 10."
  • Online Exemplars are intended to provide students with experience navigating TestNav and interacting with the various test item formats. The online Exemplars are not meant to be scored, and a full answer key is not provided.

Exemplar Booklets - Each booklet describes reporting categories, standards, depth-of-knowledge levels, and correct responses.

Additional Resources 

Arizona State Standards Alignment Guide for the ACT and ACT Aspire Early High School

Arizona Alignment Matrix

ACT Calculator Policy

  • The ACT Aspire has been removed from ACT's Calculator Policy document, but the policy will apply to Arizona's administration of ACT Aspire for Grade 9 students.

ACT Aspire Technical Manual

Reporting

ACT Aspire Spring 2026

May 22, 2026 - Electronic reports available in PearsonAccessnext

June 11, 2026 - Paper copies of score reports delivered to districts and charters

ACT Aspire Student Performance File Layout (updated February 2025)

ACT Aspire Summative Reports Index

ACT Aspire Interpretive Guide for Summative Reports

Understanding Your ACT Aspire Summative Results

Understanding Your ACT Aspire Summative Results - Spanish

AzSCI

AzSCI, Arizona's statewide achievement test for Science, is administered to public school students in Grade 5 (covering domains from Grades 3/4/5 standards), Grade 8 (covering domains from Grades 6/7/8 standards), and Grade 11/Cohort 2027 (covering domains from high school standards). 

Contact Pearson Customer Support for AzSCI:

888-705-9421, Option 1

Spring 2026 AzSCI District Test Coordinator Important Tasks Checklist

PearsonAccessnext for AzSCI and AASA - Spring 2026 administration opens January 28, 2026

AzSCI Test Dates

Spring 2026 Testing

Computer-Based Testing:

  • March 16 – April 10, 2026

Test Administration Information 

Spring 2026 Testing Mode

The Achievement Testing Mode Application was open in ADEConnect September 8 - October 3, 2025.

All Achievement testing (AASA, AzSCI, ACT Aspire, and ACT) is, by default, administered to students by computer. Requests for schools to administer paper tests must be received within ADEConnect during the window provided above. Requests must explain special circumstances for which paper testing is needed.

No action needs to be taken if school site(s) will administer computer-based assessments in Spring 2026.

Please Note: For AzSCI to be administered as a paper test, all student responses must be transferred into the TestNav online testing platform, after the students have completed testing, by a Test Administrator who has been trained and who has signed a test security agreement. All student responses must be entered in TestNav before the end of the AzSCI test window to be scored.

Special Paper Version Tests

The following Special Paper Version (SPV) test formats are available to meet the needs of students who cannot access the test content through computer-based testing: Braille, large print, and regular print paper.

SPV test requests must be submitted to ADE for review and approval September 10, 2025 - February 6, 2026.

2025-2026 Special Paper Version Quick Guide

2025-2026 Special Paper Version Test Request Form

Arizona Accommodations Manual

Testing Accommodations 

Additional Accommodation Requests must be submitted to ADE for review September 10, 2025 - February 6, 2026.

2025-2026 Additional Accommodations Request Quick Guide

2025-2026 Additional Accommodations Request Form

Arizona Accommodations Manual

ADE Exceptional Student Services

AzSCI Blueprints and Cut Scores 

AzSCI Blueprints - Updated March 6, 2026

AzSCI Cut Scores

AzSCI General Resources

Technical Requirements 

Reporting 

AzSCI Spring 2026

May 22, 2026 - Electronic score reports, Student Data Files, and Summary Performance Files available in PearsonAccessnext

June 11, 2026 - Paper copies of score reports delivered to districts and charters

Spring 2026 AzSCI Student Data File Layout

Spring 2026 AzSCI Summary Performance File Layout

AzSCI Reporting Guide

AzSCI Family Report Guide (English & Spanish)

 

ACT

ACT is the statewide high school achievement test administered to Arizona public school students in Grade 11/Cohort 2027 in Spring 2026.

Contact ACT Customer Support:

General Questions:

800-553-6244, ext. 2800 or Contact Form

Arizona Questions: 319-337-1567

ACT Accommodations: 

800-553-6244, ext. 1788 or [email protected]

ACT-hosted website for Arizona

Spring 2026 ACT Schedule of Events

PearsonAccessnext for ACT

ACT Test Dates 

Spring 2026 Testing

For Spring 2026, schools may utilize both published state ACT windows in order to assess all Cohort 2027 students. Schools are encouraged to administer the ACT during the first test window and to use the second test window, as needed, to complete any makeup testing. Schools administering the 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 window to use for makeup testing.

Achievement District Test Coordinators must select the ACT test window for each school in ACT's PearsonAccessnext platform in November 2025.

ACT Test Window 1:

  • Paper (Standard): March 24, 2026
  • Paper (Accommodations): March 24-27, March 30-April 3, 2026
  • Online (Standard and Accommodations): March 24-27, March 30-April 3, 2026

ACT Test Window 2:

  • Paper (Standard): April 7, 2026
  • Paper (Accommodations): April 7-10 and April 13-17, 2026
  • Online (Standard and Accommodations): April 7-10 and April 13-17, 2026

Test Administration Information

Spring 2026 Testing Mode

The Achievement Testing Mode Application was open in ADEConnect September 8 - October 3, 2025.

All Achievement testing (AASA, AzSCI, ACT Aspire, and ACT) is, by default, administered to students by computer. Requests for schools to administer paper tests must be received within ADEConnect during the window provided above. Requests must explain special circumstances for which paper testing is needed.

No action needs to be taken if school site(s) will administer computer-based assessments in Spring 2026.

Testing Accommodations 

Accessibility Supports Guide

  • For additional ACT accessibility resources, visit the ACT-hosted website for Arizona, Step 3: Accommodation

Please note that Speech-to-Text is available as an accommodation that may be requested for ACT.

Manuals and Checklists

ACT Spring 2026 Schedule of Events

To access the ACT Test Coordinator Manual, Test Administration Manuals, and Test Administration Forms, visit the ACT-hosted website for Arizona, Step 5: Administration.

PearsonAccessnext 

Technical Requirements 

ACT Score Replacement 

Reporting 

  • Individual student reports are available 5-8 weeks after testing through Online Reporting at success.act.org.
  • Printed individual student reports are mailed to schools 5-8 weeks after testing.
  • District data files and contract reports in Online Reporting are considered final May 28, 2026.

ACT Student Data File Layout

Understanding ACT ELA Scores

ACT Cut Scores 

Contact Information

For questions regarding AASA, email [email protected].

For questions regarding AzSCI, email [email protected].

For questions regarding ACT or ACT Aspire, email [email protected].

High Importance – For issues that arise during actual student testing, send an email to the Inbox and indicate in the subject line “Students Testing – Need Help." Mark your email with a High Importance tag. Include a phone number where we can contact you if necessary. ADE will respond as quickly as possible. Do not leave a voice message, as these calls are not responded to as quickly as emails. In your email, include any error message or code the student or Test Administrator is receiving.

Welcome to Assessments

Welcome to Assessments

 

Assessments

The Assessments Section is responsible for statewide assessment of students enrolled in Arizona public schools. The section works closely with educators in the development and administration of statewide assessments. All Arizona public schools, including district schools and charter schools, are required to properly administer state and federally mandated assessments.

Public Comment - Science Waiver

Public Comment - Science Waiver

Please read the [link url="/sites/default/files/2020/06/Assessment%20Waiver-%20Public%20Comment%20AZ%202020%20final.pdf" target="_blank"]Science Assessment Waiver Request Document [/link] and the [link url="/sites/default/files/2020/06/Science%20FAQ%20with%20Waiver%202020_final.pdf" target="_blank"]Science FAQs[/link].

Then respond to any or all of the areas affected by the waiver. Comments will be accepted through June 19, 2020.

Public Comment - One-Year Waiver Request

Public Comment - One-Year Waiver Request

Please read the [link url="/sites/default/files/2020/04/ARIZONA%20DEPARTMENT%20OF%20EDUCATION%20PUBLIC%20NOTICE%20AND%20COMMENT%20PERIOD.pdf" target="_blank"]One-Year Waiver Request Document [/link] and [link url="/sites/default/files/2020/04/Arizona%20Waiver%203-23-20.pdf" target= "_blank"]Superintendent Hoffman's Letter to USDOE.[/link]

Then respond to any or all of the areas affected by the waiver. Comments will be accepted through April 24, 2020.


AZELLA Additional Accommodations Request

AZELLA Additional Accommodations Request

There are no provisions, in either state or federal law, that would allow the exemption of AZELLA testing for eligible students who are enrolled in the Special Education program and require an AZELLA test. An IEP Team, which must include an expert in second language acquisition, may NOT exempt a student from participating in AZELLA testing. 

Not all accommodations are appropriate for AZELLA testing. Accommodations may not alter the construct of the assessment. The additional accommodations being requested should not include those listed under the Universal Test Administration Conditions and under the approved AZELLA Assessment Accommodations. [https://cms.azed.gov/home/GetDocumentFile?id=596699743217e102dcf5be3b - pages 30-34]. The student's IEP/504 Plan MUST have the additional accommodations being requested in this form in the regular daily instruction section of the IEP/504 Plan as well as in the State Testing section identified specifically for the AZELLA test. Accommodations included in the IEP/504 Plan for Math, ELA, Science, or just for "state testing" is not an indication for AZELLA. These additional accommodations must be listed specifically for "AZELLA" State testing.