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AzSCI

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 2028 (covering domains from high school standards) in Spring 2027.

Resources

PearsonAccessnext

2026-2027 Achievement Tests Staff Security Agreement

Contact Pearson Customer Support for AzSCI: 1-888-705-9421, Option 1 or Contact Support

Contact ADE's Achievement Assessments team at [email protected].

K-12 Academic Standards

Assessment Results

 

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.

Educator Committee Application

Spring 2027 AzSCI Test Window

April 12 - May 7, 2027

 

2026-2027 Assessments Overview

2026-2027 Detailed Testing Calendar

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.

Refer to the Achievement Testing Mode Application User Guide for detailed steps to submit a paper-based testing request.

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

2026-2027 Special Paper Version Request Form (Opens September 14, 2026)

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.

2026-2027 Additional Accommodations Request Quick Guide

2026-2027 Additional Accommodations Request Form (Opens September 14, 2026)

Arizona Accommodations Manual

ADE Exceptional Student Services

AzSCI Sample Tests and Student Readiness Tool
Directions: Select Arizona, then click on Mic Check and Sample Tests.
A username and password are not needed to access the Sample Tests and Student Readiness Tool.
 

AzSCI Sample Test scoring guides

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 PearsonAccessnext User's Guide

AzSCI Blueprints - Updated March 6, 2026

AzSCI Cut Scores

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

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

Calculator Guidance

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)

AASA

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.

Resources

English Language Arts and Math Essential Standards

PearsonAccessnext

2026-2027 Achievement Tests Staff Security Agreement

Contact Pearson Customer Support for AASA: 1-888-705-9421, Option 3 or Contact Support

Contact ADE's Achievement Assessments team at [email protected].

K-12 Academic Standards

Assessment Results

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.

Educator Committee Application

Spring 2027 AASA Test Window

  • Paper-Based Testing: April 12-23, 2027
  • Computer-Based Testing (Grades 3-8 Writing and Grade 3 Oral Reading Fluency): April 12-23, 2027
  • Computer-Based Testing (Grades 3-8 Reading and Math): April 12-May 7, 2027

 

2026-2027 Assessments Overview

2026-2027 Detailed Testing Calendar

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.

Refer to the Achievement Testing Mode Application User Guide for detailed steps to submit a paper-based testing request.

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

2026-2027 Special Paper Version Request Form (Opens September 14, 2026)

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.

2026-2027 Additional Accommodations Request Quick Guide

2026-2027 Additional Accommodations Request Form (Opens September 14, 2026)

Arizona Accommodations Manual

ADE Exceptional Student Services

AASA Sample Tests and Student Readiness Tool
Directions: Select Arizona, then click on Mic Check and Sample Tests.
A username and password are not needed to access the Sample Tests and Student Readiness Tool.
 

AASA Sample Test Scoring Guides - ELA

 

AASA Sample Test Scoring Guides - Math

 

Sample Test Examples for Paper-Based Testing

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

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 PearsonAccessnext 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

 

Math Item Specifications

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

ELA

Math

AASA Writing Resources - Descriptions

Writing Rubrics

Writing Guides

Writing Rubric Guides

Annotated Writing Sample Guides

Writing Prompt Templates

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

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

AASA Reportable Clusters

AASA Family Report Guide (English & Spanish)

AASA Parent Portal User Guide

AASA Parent Portal User Guide (Spanish)

International Assessments

International Assessments

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) provides reliable and timely data on the mathematics and science achievement of U.S. fourth- and eighth-grade students compared to that of students in other countries and jurisdictions. http://nces.ed.gov/timss

The International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) is an international comparative study that uses an innovative, computer-based assessment to evaluate students’ computer and information literacy—their ability to use computers to investigate, create, and communicate in order to participate effectively at home, at school, in the workplace, and in the community. http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/icils/

The Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) is an international study of teachers, teaching, and learning environments. TALIS offers an opportunity for teachers and school principals to provide their perspectives on the state of education in their own countries, allowing for a global view of teachers and the education systems in which they work. TALIS is coordinated by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and administered to teachers in grades 7, 8, and 9 in the US. http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/talis/

The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a system of international assessments that measures 15-year-old students’ reading, mathematics, and science literacy. PISA also includes measures of general or cross-curricular competencies, such as problem solving. PISA emphasizes functional skills that students have acquired as they near the end of compulsory schooling. http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pisa

The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) is an international assessment and research project designed to measure reading achievement at the fourth-grade level, as well as school and teacher practices related to instruction. Fourth-grade students complete a reading assessment and questionnaire that addresses students' attitudes toward reading and their reading habits. In addition, questionnaires are given to students' teachers and school principals to gather information about students' school experiences in developing reading literacy. Since 2001, PIRLS has been administered every 5 years, with the United States participating in all past assessments. PIRLS is sponsored by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) and conducted in the United States by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The last administration was in the fall of 2021.  http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pirls

For information about International Assessment Activities, please contact us at [email protected].

NAEP

NAEP

 

NAEP logo

 

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is the largest nationally continuing evaluation of the condition of education in the United States. NAEP has served as a national yardstick of student achievement since 1969.

Through The Nation’s Report Card, NAEP informs the public what American students know in various subject areas and compares achievement among states, large urban districts, and various student groups.

NAEP is a congressionally mandated program administered by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) within the U.S. Department of Education.

The National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) oversees and sets policy for NAEP.

 

Resources

Test Information

NAEP is an integral part of education in the United States.

  • NAEP Participation Requirements
  • Elected officials, policymakers, and educators all use NAEP results to inform ways to improve education.
  • NAEP is a congressionally mandated program administered by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), within the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences.
  • NAEP serves a different role than state assessments. While states have their own unique assessments with different content standards, the same NAEP assessment is administered in every state, providing a common measure of student achievement.

To provide a better understanding of educational experiences and factors that may be related to students' learning, students, teachers, and principals who participate in NAEP are asked to complete survey questionnaires.

Contact Information

For information about NAEP, contact us at [email protected].

AZELLA Assessment

AZELLA Assessment

AZELLA

The Arizona English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA) is a standards-based assessment that meets both state and federal requirements to measure students’ English language proficiency. AZELLA is used for both placement and reassessment purposes. Students who have been identified as potential English language learners on the Home Language Survey (HLS) take the AZELLA Placement - Dynamic Screener test, and the students’ proficiency scores determine appropriate placement for instruction. Students who have been placed into an English language learner program will also take the Spring AZELLA Reassessment once per year until they achieve proficiency. Students who have scored proficient on the AZELLA are then monitored for two years to help ensure success after their move into a mainstream classroom.

General Information

Support Materials

 

English Language Proficiency Reports

AZELLA EL Reports are accessed through ADEConnect > Applications >> Assessments >>> ELP Reports

These documents explain how to read each EL Report:

 

AZELLA District Test Coordinators Information

Alt ELPA Information

Other Resources

 AZELLA Practice Tests Information

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. 

AZELLA Blueprints, Performance Level Descriptors, Item Specifications, and Rubrics

Blueprints

 

Adjusted AZELLA Performance Level Descriptors for the Interpretation of the Spring 2026 Reassessment Test Results

 

Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs)

 

AZELLA Item Specifications

 

 Contact Information

For questions pertaining to the AZELLA, please contact The AZELLA Team by emailing the AZELLA Inbox. [email protected] 

District Test Coordinators

District Test Coordinators

Resource Link
Achievement DTCs Achievement District Test Coordinators
Alternate Assessment DTCs Alternate Assessment District Test Coordinators
AZELLA DTCs AZELLA District Test Coordinators
Assessments Bulletin The Assessments Bulletin
Assessments Portal Test Security Agreement

User Guide

Tutorial Video

Tutorial PowerPoint
Assessments Overview (Test Windows) Assessments Overview 2026-2027 (Revised 8/21/26)
Detailed Testing Calendar Detailed Testing Calendar 2026-2027
Statewide Assessments Infographics Statewide Assessments Infographics
Statewide Assessments Webinars Statewide Assessments Webinars
Contact Contact the Arizona Department of Education
Subscribe to Assessments