ADE Common Definitions This one-page document contains common definitions that the Arizona Department of Education utilizes cross-agency. This document contains common definitions for Standards, Curriculum Instruction and Assessment.

Every Student Succeeds Act

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) emphasizes the need for a balanced assessment system (BAS). The K-12 community understands the inherent rightness of a BAS and schools and districts are analyzing their systems to make sure that it is a comprehensive assessment plan. K-12 site and district analysis begin with establishing common definitions and common understandings of the purpose of each different type of assessment found within a balanced assessment system. This site contains multiple resources to assist districts in their analysis of their current assessment systems

These one-page documents contain specific information on each different type of assessment found within the Balanced Assessment Framework. These documents allow you to focus on individual assessment across all indicators found within the BAF. 

Screener | Screener/Diagnostic Combined | Formative Assessment-Student | Classroom Summative | End of Year/Course Summative

Diagnostic |  Formative Assessment-Teacher | Interim/Benchmark

ADE Balanced Assessment Framework (BAF)

The Arizona Department of Education and thought partners Margaret Heritage and West Comprehensive Center developed a guidance document that assists site/district in the analysis of their current assessment system in order to achieve balanced. Educators have assisted in the continuous improvement of this document titled the Balanced Assessment Framework. The ADE Balanced Assessment framework is intended to inform and guide Arizona educators as they work to improve and enhance their continuum of assessment practices. Through this framework, educators will be able to learn how to utilize the appropriate assessment practice for each purpose as well as how to use the data obtained from each type of assessment to ultimately improve student achievement. ADE Balanced Assessment Framework

(Updated 3.2.18) Word Version (Please contact Director of Mathematics if you would like a screen reader compatible version.)

Additional Resources

• Designing a Comprehensive Assessment System – WestEd This paper, written by WestEd’s Deb Signman and Marie Mancuso, conceptualizes what a comprehensive system that is balanced and aligned might comprise. It also identifies what actions, st6ates, districts, and schools can take to create a comprehensive assessment system.
• Book – Balanced Assessment Systems: Leadership, Quality, and the Role of Classroom Assessment Authors: Steve Chappuis, Carol Commodore and Rick Stiggins Copyright – 2016 Corwin Press
• Companion PDF resources

Contact Information: Director of Mathematics | 602-364-4030