Who takes state tests?
All public school students in Arizona in 3rd through 8th grades take the state test each spring.

Why do we test?
The purpose of the state test is to check on your child’s academic progress. The information from these tests will provide a constant benchmark that you can track over the course of your child’s education. 

What does my child’s test score mean? 
The state test measures how well your child is performing in English Language Arts (Reading and Writing) and Math. Test scores are just one of several measures, including report card grades, classroom performance, and feedback from teachers, that can be used to measure your child’s academic progress.

How will my child’s score be used?
Scores will be used to better tailor instruction to individual student needs and as a tool to see how students and schools across the state are doing.

What types of questions are on the test?
The test includes a number of different types of questions, including performance tasks that are multi-step assignments that ask students to apply their knowledge and skills to address real-world problems. In English, students have to apply their research and writing skills, and in math, they solve complex problems and then describe and defend their reasoning. The test also includes traditional multiple choice questions.
The Computer-based test has interactive questions that require students to drag and drop their answers into a box. There are questions requiring students to create equations, and fill in the answer.

How can I use these test results to help my child improve?
You can use the test results to guide a discussion with your child’s teachers about additional supports or challenges that may be needed in class, as well as ways to support your child at home. Your child’s performance is broken down into categories in each subject. Therefore, you can also use this information to locate activities online that were designed specifically for each category at every grade level.

When are the test results provided?  How will I receive my child’s score report?
Districts and charters will receive paper copies of each student’s score report in June. In the Litchfield Elementary School District, reports for 8th graders who have been promoted and will not be returning to the district are mailed to the families. All other students will take home their state score reports at the beginning of the school year.

Additional Resources:

Parent Assessment Guide - English

Parent Assessment Guide - Spanish