• What Is Universal Design for Learning?
• National Center on Universal Design for Learning

• ADE AT Webpage
• AzTAP Free AT Short-term Loan Library

• 2025 AASA Technical Report
• 2024 AASA Technical Report
• 2023 AASA Technical Report
• 2022 AASA Technical Report

• 2022 Arizona ACT Standard Setting Technical Report
• ACT Technical Manual

• ACT Aspire Technical Manual

Technical Reports for MSAA

• MSAA 2025 Science Technical Report
• MSAA 2025 ELA & Math Technical Report
• MSAA 2024 Science Technical Report
• MSAA 2024 ELA & Math Technical Report
• MSAA 2023 ELA & Math Technical Report
• MSAA 2023 Science Technical Report 
• MSAA 2023 Science Standard Setting Report
• MSAA 2022 Science Technical Report
• MSAA 2022 ELA-Math Technical Report
• MSAA 2021-2022 Science Technical Report
• MSAA 2021-2022 ELA & Math Technical Report
• MSAA COVID-19 Follow-Up Impact Study Report
• MSAA 2020-2021 Technical Report
• MSAA 2018-2019 Technical Manual
• MSAA 2017-2018 Technical Manual
• MSAA 2016-2017 Technical Manual
• MSAA 2015-2016 Technical Manual

Technical Reports for NCSC

• NCSC 2015 Technical Manual Narrative
• NCSC Tech Manual Appendix 1-A
• NCSC Tech Manual Appendix 2
• NCSC Tech Manual Appendix 3
• NCSC Tech Manual Appendix 4
• NCSC Tech Manual Appendix 5-A
• NCSC Tech Manual Appendix 6
• NCSC Tech Manual Appendix 7 MP
• NCSC Tech Manual Appendix 7 Plake
• NCSC Tech Manual Appendix 8
• NCSC Tech Manual Appendix 9

• Alternate English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century— Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing Technical Report

AZELLA Tests Aligned to the 2019 English Language Proficiency Standards

• Content Alignment Analysis of the Arizona English Language Proficiency (ELP) Standards with Arizona Content Standards for Mathematics and Science and with the Arizona English Language Learning Assessment (AZELLA) for Grades Kindergarten-12 (WCEPS WebbAlign, 2024) -Contact ADE at [email protected] 

Standard Setting Reports for AZELLA

• 2023 AZELLA Standard Setting Report

Technical Reports for AZELLA

• 2023 - 2024 Technical Report for AZELLA
  2022 - 2023 Technical Report for AZELLA
• 2021 - 2022 Technical Report for AZELLA
• 2020 - 2021 Technical Report for AZELLA
• 2019 - 2020 Technical Report for AZELLA
• 2018 - 2019 Technical Report for AZELLA
• 2017 - 2018 Technical Report for AZELLA

Research and Alignment Studies for AZELLA

• AZELLA Reassessment 2018 Stages III-V Mode Comparability Report (June 2018)

• 2025 AzSCI Technical Report
• 2024 AzSCI Technical Report
• 2023 AzSCI Technical Report
• 2022 AzSCI Technical Report

Attorney General Letters and Opinions

• AG Letter Regarding Parent Requests to Opt-Out of AzMERIT Testing (October 9, 2015)
• AG Letter Regarding Parent Requests to Opt-Out of AzMERIT Testing (December 10, 2014)
• AG Letter Regarding Parent Requests to Opt-Out of State-Mandated Testing (September 16, 2013)
• AG Letter Regarding Field Testing (1998)
• AG Opinion Regarding Mandatory State Testing (1997)

USDOE Assessment Approval Letters

• USDOE Assessment Approval Letter (June 29, 2009)
• USDOE Assessment Approval Letter (June 30, 2006)

Federal Waivers

• One-Year Waiver Request from Spring 2020 Testing Requirements (April 2, 2020)
• AZ Covid-19 Waiver Response (April 1, 2020)
• AIMS Science Waiver Request (June 4, 2020)
• Science Waiver Approval USDOE (July 28, 2020)
• Letter from Secretary DeVos regarding waivers for 2020-2021 (September 3, 2020)

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 English learner students, instructional coaches, and administrators to provide their perspectives 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

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 stakeholders reviews and approves these items to confirm appropriateness for inclusion on the test. This step of the process is designed to ensure that our tests are free from bias and sensitivity concerns based on considerations including ability, age, culture, gender, geography, languages spoken, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Participating community members are representatives of Arizona's geographic regions and represent culturally diverse populations.

For the parent/community review committees, we are inviting stakeholders to provide their perspectives on the items on Arizona's statewide assessments. If you are interested in serving on a parent/community review committee, please complete the form linked below.

The Alternate Assessment Advisory Committee has developed resources for all parents, families, and schools.

Schools can:

• Post or link the resources on their Assessment homepage
• Share the documents (either electronically or printed) with their families during Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings
• Include the documents in presentations on Curriculum Nights or when Statewide Testing kicks off in Spring

Alternate Assessment Fact Sheet for Schools

From a parent's perspective, the resources include information that is necessary and helpful in understanding Statewide Assessments. The parent documents have been translated into Spanish.

Why Statewide Testing Participation Matters to Students (Flyer)

Top 5 Strategies You Need to Know

Top 5 Strategies You Need to Know - Spanish

Alternate Assessment Fact Sheet for Parents

Alternate Assessment Fact Sheet for Parents - Spanish

• Accessibility and Accommodations
• ADE Exceptional Students

AASA Sample Test Scoring Guides - 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 Oral Reading Fluency Grade 3

• 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

AASA Sample Test Scoring Guides - 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

Sample Test Examples for Paper-Based Testing

AzSCI Sample Test Scoring Guides

• AzSCI Scoring Guide - Grade 5
• AzSCI Scoring Guide - Grade 8
• AzSCI Scoring Guide - Grade 11
  

• 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."
• A username and password are not needed to access the Exemplars and Tutorial.
• 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.

• English
• Math
• Reading
• Science
• Writing - See page 5 for Writing Rubric

• Free ACT Practice Tests and Test Prep

AZELLA Practice Tests Coming Soon

AASA Family Report Guide (English & Spanish)

AzSCI Family Report Guide (English & Spanish)

Understanding Your ACT Aspire Results - English

Understanding Your ACT Aspire Results - Spanish

ACT Sample Student Score Report

Using Your ACT Results

• MSAA Sample Items
• Parent Brochure
• Spanish Parent Brochure

2026 MSAA Parent Guides

• MSAA Parent Guide Grade 3
• MSAA Parent Guide Grade 4
• MSAA Parent Guide Grade 5
• MSAA Parent Guide Grade 6
• MSAA Parent Guide Grade 7
• MSAA Parent Guide Grade 8
• MSAA Parent Guide HS

2026 MSAA Spanish Parent Guides

• MSAA Spanish Parent Guide Grade 3
• MSAA Spanish Parent Guide Grade 4
• MSAA Spanish Parent Guide Grade 5
• MSAA Spanish Parent Guide Grade 6
• MSAA Spanish Parent Guide Grade 7
• MSAA Spanish Parent Guide Grade 8
• MSAA Spanish Parent Guide HS

• Information for Parents
• What Every Parent Should Know About NAEP 
• Lo Que Cada Padre Debe Saber Acerca de NAEP
• An Overview of NAEP 
• An Introduction to NAEP (Una Introducción a NAEP, en inglés)

MSAA Spring 2027 Testing Window TBD

• MSAA ELA & Mathematics - Grades 3-8 and 11
• MSAA Science - Grades 5, 8, and 11

• Alternate Assessment Eligibility Form

• LCI (Learner Characteristics Inventory) for Alternate Assessments Based on Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (2024)

• MSAA Participation Guidance Arizona (2021)

• Arizona State Specific Policy for Alternate Assessment (02/2026)

• MSAA Accommodations Manual

The following documents were developed within the NCSC project and offer Arizona Educators ideas, support, and resources to provide instruction based on the Standards to students with significant cognitive disabilities.

• TIES Center

• MSAA Overview of and Communication 2016

• Academic Instruction Students with Cognitive Disabilities Presentation - 2019 Teachers Institute- Participants learn how to teach functional skills and academic content concurrently and develop an academic lesson that incorporates functional skills.

• SCHEMA for State Content Standards

Performance Level Descriptors - MSAA (ELA, Mathematics, AND Science)

• ELA Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs)

• ELA Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) - Spanish

• Math Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs)

• Math Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) Mathematics- Spanish

• Science Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs)

WRITING Scoring Rubrics

• Grade 3-5 Writing Rubric 

• Grade 6-8 Writing Rubric

• Grade 11 Writing Rubric

NCSC Instructional Resources & Supports (Binders)

• How to Teach State Standards to Students Who Take the Alt. Assessment 03-06-17 Updated Links

• How to Teach State Standards to Students who Take the Alt Assessment Podcast Audio File

ELA

• NCSC Instructional Resources for English Language Arts (2021)

Mathematics

• NCSC Instructional Resources for Mathematics 

Teacher binder for Mathematics – Click on the Math link NCSC Instructional Resources for Mathematics, and copy the following pages: 19-43 (Instructional Resources Guide); 98-111 (Graduated Understandings/Instructional Families); and 116-147 (Element Cards)

For both ELA and Mathematics, print the Graduated Understandings/Instructional Families and Element Cards in color since color bands are used.

• Arizona Academic Standards-linking document ELA - K-5

• Arizona Academic Standards-linking document ELA - 6-8

• Arizona Academic Standards-linking document ELA - HS 

• Arizona Academic Standards-linking document-MATH - K-5

• Arizona Academic Standards-linking document-MATH - 6-8

• Arizona Academic Standards-linking document-MATH - HS 

• NCSC Instructional Resource Guide

MSAA Reports

The MSAA Score Reports from the Spring administration for Science, Math, and ELA will be available for Alternate Assessment District Test Coordinators (TCs) July - September. An email notification is sent by the Alternate Assessment Unit for specific dates when reports are available. Reports will be accessed through the MSAA Reporting Portal Tab in the MSAA System. Reports are only available in the platform when the reporting window is open. For accessing reports outside this window, use the Accountability application for individual student results. 

The ADE Alternate Assessment Unit will ship two hard copies of each student report to the District of Attendance (DOA) the week after the reporting portal opens. One copy is sent home to parents/guardians and the other is placed in the student’s secure file. 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 Parents Resources".

1. Reports are accessed through the MSAA Reporting Portal Tab in the MSAA System.
2. Returning DTCs will log in with the same credentials used during administration. Use the reset password option if needed. New TCs will have an account generated the first week of the reporting portal. Use the link in the auto-generated e-mail to log in.
3. Go to the “Reports” tab on the top menu bar.
4. Download your reports and save per district policy.

The following reports will be available to download through the MSAA Reporting Portal:

Reports for the District—District Summary Reports, District Roster Reports, and Student Results File CSV.

Reports for the School—School Summary Reports, School Roster Reports, Individual Student Reports, and Student Results File CSV.

The 2026 MSAA Guide for Score Report Interpretation provides guidance on reading and using the reports. The MSAA User Guide for Test Coordinators will be available on the MSAA platform when reports become available. This guide includes detailed instructions for downloading your reports. Look for the link on the bottom left corner of the MSAA system home page.

• 2026 Guide for Score Report Interpretation (05/26)
• 2026 Student Results File Layout (04/26)
• COVID-19 Impact Study Report

Observation Forms

• 2027 DTC MSAA Observation Form (printable copy for personal use)

• 2027 MSAA Observation Webform (electronic submission) 

• 2027 TA MSAA Observation Webform (electronic submission)

MSAA Training for District Test Coordinators (DTC) and Test Administrators (TA)

• LCI (Learner Characteristics Inventory) Presentation 10/2024

Please contact us by emailing the Alternate Assessment inbox A[email protected] or at (602) 542-8239.

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 the Educator Review Committees, we are inviting content area teachers, teachers of students with disabilities, teachers of English learner students, instructional coaches, and administrators to provide their perspectives on the items and standards set on Arizona's statewide assessments. If you are interested in serving on an Assessment Educator Review Committee, please complete the form linked below.

Spring 2027 Test Windows Coming Soon

Spring 2027 Testing Mode

The Achievement Testing Mode Application will be open in ADEConnect September 14 - October 9, 2026.

All Achievement testing (AzSCI, AASA, ACT Aspire, and ACT) is, by default, administered to students by computer.

Requests for schools to administer paper tests must be submitted by Achievement District Test Coordinators in ADEConnect during the designated window. Requests must provide an explanation of 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 2027.

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 transferred into TestNav before the end of the AzSCI test window to be scored.

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 14, 2026 - February 5, 2027.

2026-2027 Special Paper Version Quick Guide - Coming Soon

2026-2027 Special Paper Version Request Form - Coming Soon

Arizona Accommodations Manual

ADE Exceptional Student Services

Additional Accommodation Requests must be submitted to ADE for review and approval September 14, 2026 - February 5, 2027.

• Additional Accommodations Requests SHOULD NOT include Universal Test Administration Conditions or Universal Tools detailed in the Achievement Assessments Accommodations Manual.

2026-2027 Additional Accommodations Request Quick Guide - Coming Soon

2026-2027 Additional Accommodations Request Form - Coming Soon

Arizona Accommodations Manual

ADE Exceptional Student Services

AzSCI Sample Test scoring guides

• AzSCI Scoring Guide - Grade 5
• AzSCI Scoring Guide - Grade 8
• AzSCI Scoring Guide - Grade 11

Recommended Seating Arrangements

Coming Fall/Winter 2026-2027:

• Spring 2027 AzSCI District Test Coordinator Important Tasks Checklist
• Spring 2027 AzSCI Test Coordinator's Manual
• Spring 2027 AzSCI Test Administration Directions
• Spring 2027 PearsonAccess^next User's Guide

AzSCI Blueprints - Updated March 6, 2026

AzSCI Cut Scores

AzSCI Item Specifications are aligned with the 2018 Arizona Science Standards.

• Grade Band 3-5
• Grade Band 6-8
• High School

AzSCI Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) are aligned to the 2018 Arizona Science Standards.

• Grade Band 3-5 SEP and CCC PLDs
• Grade Band 3-5 Standards PLDs
• Grade Band 6-8 SEP and CCC PLDs
• Grade Band 6-8 Standards PLDs
• High School SEP and CCC PLDs
• High School Standards PLDs

• Grades 8 and 11 Exhibit  
  • Periodic Table of Elements
• Grade 11 Exhibit
  • Formula Reference Guide 

Calculator Guidance

AzSCI Spring 2026

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

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)

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 the Educator Review Committees, we are inviting content area teachers, teachers of students with disabilities, teachers of English learner students, instructional coaches, and administrators to provide their perspectives on the items and standards set on Arizona's statewide assessments. If you are interested in serving on an Assessment Educator Review Committee, please complete the form linked below.

Spring 2027 Test Windows Coming Soon

Spring 2027 Testing Mode

The Achievement Testing Mode Application will be open in ADEConnect September 14 - October 9, 2026.

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 submitted by Achievement District Test Coordinators in ADEConnect during the designated window. 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 2027.

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 14, 2026 - February 5, 2027.

2026-2027 Special Paper Version Quick Guide - Coming Soon

2026-2027 Special Paper Version Request Form - Coming Soon

Arizona Accommodations Manual

ADE Exceptional Student Services

Additional Accommodation Requests must be submitted to ADE for review and approval September 14, 2026 - February 5, 2027.

• Additional Accommodation Requests SHOULD NOT include Universal Test Administration Conditions or Universal Tools detailed in the Achievement Assessments Accommodations Manual.

2026-2027 Additional Accommodations Request Quick Guide - Coming Soon

2026-2027 Additional Accommodations Request Form - Coming Soon

Arizona Accommodations Manual

ADE Exceptional Student Services

AASA Sample Test Scoring Guides - ELA

The ELA Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) test unit 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

Recommended Seating Arrangements

Coming Fall/Winter 2026-2027:

• Spring 2027 AASA District Test Coordinator Important Tasks Checklist
• Spring 2027 AASA Test Coordinator's Manual
• Spring 2027 AASA Test Administration Directions (for Computer-Based Testing)
• Spring 2027 AASA Test Administration Directions (for Paper-Based Testing)
• Spring 2027 PearsonAccess^next User's Guide

AASA ELA Blueprints

AASA Math Blueprints

AASA Cut Scores

AASA Item Specifications are aligned to the 2016 ELA and Mathematics Standards.

ELA Item Specifications

• ELA Grade 3
• ELA Grade 4
• ELA Grade 5
• ELA Grade 6
• ELA Grade 7
• ELA Grade 8

Math Item Specifications

• Math Grade 3
• Math Grade 4
• Math Grade 5
• Math Grade 6
• Math Grade 7
• Math Grade 8

AASA Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs)  are aligned to the 2016 English Language Arts and Mathematics Standards.

ELA

• ELA Grade 3
• ELA Grade 4
• ELA Grade 5
• ELA Grade 6
• ELA Grade 7
• ELA Grade 8
• ELA Grades 3-8

Math

• Math Grade 3
• Math Grade 4
• Math Grade 5
• Math Grade 6
• Math Grade 7
• Math Grade 8
• Math Grades 3-8

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
• Grades 6 Argumentative
• Grades 6-8 Informative-Explanatory
• Grades 7-8 Argumentative

Writing Rubric Guides

• Grades 3-5 Informative
• Grades 3-5 Opinion
• Grades 6-8 Informative
• Grades 6-8 Argumentative

Annotated Writing Sample Guides

• Grade 3
• Grade 4
• Grade 5
• Grade 6
• Grade 7
• Grade 8

Writing Prompt Templates

Grade-level prompt templates can be found in the Item Specifications documents for each grade level.

• DOK Question Stems
• Hess' Matrix
• Read-Aloud Guidance for Paper-Based Testing

• Calculator Guidance
• Hess Math Matrix
• Desmos Graphing Calculator
• Desmos Scientific Calculator
• Grid-In Response Items for Paper-Based Testing
• Read-Aloud Guidance for Paper-Based Testing

AASA Spring 2026

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

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

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

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 PearsonAccess^next 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 PearsonAccess^next

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)