Educator Resources

 

 

Arizona's test development process involves an extensive review before an item will count toward students' test scores. During the item development process, all assessment items are written in accordance with Item Specifications. A committee of Arizona educators reviews and approves the items to confirm alignment and appropriateness for inclusion on the test. Each step in the process is designed to ensure that test results are valid, reliable, and appropriate for Arizona students, families, and other members of Arizona communities. Participating educators are representatives of Arizona's geographic regions and represent culturally diverse populations. For these committees, we are inviting content area teachers, teachers of students with disabilities, teachers of EL students, and instructional coaches/administrators to provide their 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

 

AASA

Arizona's Academic Standards Assessment (AASA) is the statewide achievement test for Arizona students in Grades 3-8. All Arizona public school students in Grades 3-8 will take the grade-level AASA assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics.

 

Spring 2025 Testing 

Computer-Based Testing: March 31 - April 25, 2025

  • Grades 3-8 Writing and Grade 3 ELA Oral Reading Fluency must be completed by April 11, 2025

 

Paper-Based Testing: March 31 - April 9, 2025

  • Writing must be scheduled for March 31 or April 1, 2025

 

 

Scoring Guides for Sample Tests

ELA

 

 

 

Math

 

Sample Test Examples for Paper-Based Testing

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

Recommended Seating Arrangements

AASA Spring 2025 Test Coordinator's Manual

AASA Spring 2025 Test Administration Directions (for Computer-Based Testing)

AASA Spring 2025 Test Administration Directions (for Paper-Based Testing)

AASA ELA Blueprints

AASA Math Blueprints

AASA Cut Scores

ELA Item Specifications

 

Math Item Specifications

 

These PLDs are aligned to the 2016 English Language Arts Standards and Mathematics Standards.

ELA

 

Math

 

AASA Writing Resources - Descriptions

Writing Rubrics

 

Writing Guides

 

Writing Rubric Guides

 

Annotated Writing Samples Guides

 

Writing Prompt Templates

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

 

ELA

 

Read-Aloud Guidance for Paper-Based Testing

Math

 

Read-Aloud Guidance for Paper-Based Testing 

ACT Aspire

ACT Aspire is the statewide high school achievement test administered to students in Grade 9/Cohort 2028 in Spring 2025.

 

Spring 2025 Testing

Computer-Based Testing Window: March 31 - April 25, 2025

Paper-Based Test Window: March 31 - April 9, 2025

ACT Aspire Exemplars and 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."

 

Exemplar Booklets

Test Coordinator Manual

Room Supervisor Manual - Online Testing

Room Supervisor Manual - Paper Testing


 

AZ State Standards Alignment Guide for ACT and ACT Aspire

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 Readiness Guide

ACT Aspire Technical Manual

K-12 Academic Standards

Kindergarten Entry Assessment

ADE Assistive Technology Resources

AzSCI

AzSCI, Arizona's statewide achievement test for Science, is administered to students in Grade 5 (covering domains from Grades 3/4/5 standards), Grade 8 (covering domains from Grades 6/7/8 standards), and Grade 11/Cohort 2026 (covering domains from high school standards) in Spring 2025.

 

Spring 2025 Testing

March 17 – April 11, 2025

 

 

Scoring Guides for Sample Tests

AzSCI Spring 2025 Test Coordinator's Manual

AzSCI Spring 2025 Test Administration Directions

AzSCI Item Specifications

AzSCI Cut Scores - Board-approved July 2022

ACT

ACT is the statewide high school achievement test administered to students in Grade 11/Cohort 2026 in Spring 2025.

 

Spring 2025 Testing

ACT Test Window 1

  • Paper (Standard): March 25, 2025
  • Paper (Accommodations): March 25-28 and March 31, April 1-4, 2025
  • Online (Standard & Accommodations): March 25-28 and March 31, April 1-4, 2025

 

ACT Test Window 2

  • Paper (Standard): April 8, 2025
  • Paper (Accommodations): April 8-11 and April 14-18, 2025
  • Online (Standard & Accommodations): April 8-11 and April 14-18, 2025

 

For Spring 2025, schools may utilize both published state ACT test windows in order to assess all Cohort 2026 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 ACT on paper may also use the online test dates for makeup testing. Any schools that choose to administer the ACT during only the second test window will not have an additional ACT test window to use for makeup testing.

Test window selection will be made in ACT's PearsonAccessnext platform in Fall 2024.

AZ State Standards Alignment Guide for ACT and ACT Aspire

Arizona Alignment Matrix 

ACT Calculator Policy

College Entrance Exams and State Standards

Free ACT Test Prep

MyACT Resources

ACT Technical Manual

Writing - Sample Essays

Writing - Scoring Rubric