26-27 State Testing FAQs

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Testing assignments are initially done automatically by our system, Testing Nirvana, based on the home address that we have on file.

If you need to update your address or other contact information, the legal guardian should fill this out, but keep in mind it may take our clerks some time to update your information!: https://azva.jotform.com/251965530774970

Please print this form and have the legal guardian complete it. Give the completed form to the site team in person during check-in or pick up.

Tests and Estimated Times

• AASA (3rd-8th grade)
• Oral Reading Fluency (3rd Grade Only): timed reading test (30 minutes)
• Writing (untimed ~1 hour)
• Reading: 2 tests (untimed ~1 hour per unit)
• Math: 2 tests (untimed ~1 hour per unit)
• AzSCI (5th, 8th, and 11th)

• AzSCI: 3 tests (untimed ~1 hour per unit )

• ACT Aspire (9th grade)
• 5 timed tests: English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing
• 30-60 minutes each ~4 hour total
• ACT (11th grade)
• 5 timed tests: English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing
• 9 am - 1 pm
• Student need a photo ID! See the section on Student Preparedness for info on how to order an ID.

Note: Most 11th graders are scheduled to take the AzSCI test after ACT testing on the same day. If you don't want your student to take all on the same day, please reach out to your student's teacher/counselor so they can help you reschedule the AzSCI on a different day!

Grade 9 and 11 students, yes.

For grades 3-8, we do not want to overwhelm students with too many tests on the same day or session, and the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) does have some rules for how tests need to be administered.

However, if you do require condensed testing, please reach out to your student's teacher/counselor for help! The staff at our testing sites will also be reaching out to you if you indicated in the testing family portal that you need help.

We will do our best to schedule your student in a way that fits your needs, but spots are limited at each site and some may have already reached capacity. Keep in mind that ADE requires students to take breaks between tests/units.

Thank you for understanding!

For the most part, if tests are available during the same testing window, and if space is available at a site, yes! We try our best to schedule siblings on the same day and times whenever possible.

If your students were split up, we might have different addresses on file for them. If you need to update your address or other contact information, the legal guardian should fill this out, but keep in mind it may take our clerks some time to update your information!: https://azva.jotform.com/251965530774970

When siblings might have to be split up

• On days when we are proctoring the ACT (Tuesday mornings at most sites) only 11th grade students may test. No other grades may test at this time.
• Aspire students (9th grade) are scheduled for morning sessions because it could take them about 4 hours to complete all 5 of their tests. If your student comes in the afternoon, they might not be able to finish all tests and will need to come back on a different day to finish them.

Some students qualify for transportation assistance under McKinney‑Vento guidelines. If your student is McKinney‑Vento, please notify your student's teacher, counselor, or another school staff member as soon as possible so we can help coordinate support.

For families who do not qualify, there are several ways to plan for testing days. Depending on the student’s grade level, testing can last between 1-3 days, and many tests are untimed. This means the length of each day can vary based on your student’s pace and needs. Families often find it manageable to:

• Ask relatives or close family friends for help with transportation.
• Explore public transportation options in their area.
• Coordinate with other parents in the school community to arrange carpools. Check out our Learning Coach Community here!

A calm, prepared start can make a big difference in how confident and comfortable students feel on testing day. Families can support their student with a few simple routines the night before and the morning of testing.

💤🌙The night before

• Make sure your student gets a full night of sleep. Rest helps with focus, stamina, and stress.
• Set out clothes, snacks, and any optional items so the morning feels smooth and organized.
• Review the plan for the next day so your student knows where they’re going and what to expect.
• Review testing-room expectations - Because our students typically learn from home, it can be helpful to review what testing looks like in a shared, proctored environment!

• Raise their hand for help. If students have a question or need assistance, they should raise their hand and wait for a proctor. Staff can help with things like logging in, technical issues, or reading the directions, but they cannot explain, hint at, or help answer any test questions.
• Ask before leaving their seat. Students should raise their hand if they need to use the bathroom or take an individual break. A proctor will escort them out of the room.
• Stay quiet during testing. Even small noises can distract other students, so students should avoid talking. We encourage them to make friends outside of the testing room, of course!
• Follow proctor instructions. Staff will guide students through logging in, starting each test unit, and taking breaks.
• Keep materials to themselves. Students should not look at anyone else’s screen or share their own work.
• Know that staff are there to help. Proctors will check in, monitor the room, and support students if they feel nervous, confused, or need a moment to regroup!

Reviewing these expectations the night before helps students feel prepared for a structured testing environment.

☀️The morning of testing

• Eat a healthy breakfast. A balanced meal helps students stay energized through longer or untimed test units.
• Dress in layers. Testing room temperature can be difficult to predict, so a light jacket or sweater helps students stay comfortable.

These simple steps help students arrive calm, prepared, and ready to do their best!

📚 Practice Tests Are Available!

To help your child feel confident and prepared, you can explore the state-provided practice tests for AASA, AzSCI, ACT Aspire, and ACT. You can find all of ADE's Parent and Student Resources in this page: https://www.azed.gov/assessment/parents

AASA & AzSCI Practice Tests (Grades 3–8 & Science Grades 5, 8, & 11)
🔗 Click here to access-https://az.testnav.com/client/index.html
Steps to access:

1. Click the small blue text: "Mic Check and sample tests"
2. Choose the test you want to explore
3. Select your child’s grade level
4. Start practicing!

ACT Aspire Practice Test (9th Grade)
🔗 Click here to access- https://tn.actaspire.org/client/index.html
Steps to access:

1. Click the small blue text: "Exemplars"
2. Choose the subject
3. Begin the practice test

ACT Practice Test (11th Grade)
🔗 Click here to access- https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/free-act-test-prep/act-online-test-sample-questions.html

These items help students stay comfortable and focused throughout the day:

• A light jacket or sweater — Layers help students stay comfortable if the testing room temperature runs cold.
• A capped water bottle — Water is allowed as long as the bottle has a secure cap to prevent spills.
• Snacks for approved breaks — Students may eat snacks during breaks times. Please avoid snacks with common allergens such as peanuts or tree nuts.

These items are not allowed in the testing environment due to test security and distraction concerns.

• No computers or tablets — All testing devices are provided by staff.
• No phones — Phones must remain on silent or powered off and stored away.
• No smart devices — No wearable smart devices like smartwatches or smartglasses
• No Bluetooth headphones or earbuds — Wireless devices are not permitted.
• No unapproved calculators or dictionaries — Only state‑approved tools may be used.
• No distracting items — Toys, games, fidgets that make noise, or anything that could disrupt the testing environment should stay at home.

These items are allowed but not required.

• Pencils or plain or lined scratch paper — Students may bring their own, but all required materials will also be provided on site.
• Wired headphones — Must be wired only; no Bluetooth devices are permitted.
• Personal calculators or dictionaries — Allowed only if they appear on the state’s pre‑approved list for that specific test section. Please reach out to staff to confirm what is permitted.
• A quiet activity for after testing — When students finish their test early, they may need to wait either inside the testing room or in a designated waiting area, depending on the site setup. To keep the environment calm for students who are still testing, we ask that all early finishers engage in quiet activities.

• If waiting inside the testing room: Students may do a silent activity such as drawing (on a separate sheet of paper NOT the testing ticket). Reading may be permitted as long as no other student can see their book, but the student will need to check with the proctor first. (Reading is not permitted for the ACT. Unfortunately, students need to wait silently for this test.)
• If waiting outside the testing room: Students should keep their voices low so they do not disturb those still testing. Reading is always allowed in these waiting areas!

Click here to order a school ID: https://www.academicexcellence.com/k12-student-id-cards/

More things to know:

• Student ID cards cost $2.55
• 11th grade students need a photo ID for the ACT
• You will need to know your student's ID number.This article shows where to find it in Canvas: https://www.help.k12.com/s/article/Find-Your-Student-ID

Yes! As a public charter school in the state of Arizona, our students are required to participate in state testing. We do not offer the ability to "opt-out" and refusal to test may mean that your student may not be able to continue participating in online schooling.

Per the Arizona Department of Education (ADE), there is "no remote proctoring for Spring 2027. The legislation including a funding requirement that has not been met yet." This means that students are still required to test in person.

Also according to ADE, "Statewide Assessments show how well schools are teaching and how well students are learning. Statewide Assessments are aligned to Arizona’s Academic Standards and are required by state and federal law."

For more information regarding this legislation, please visit: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/80996

Resources that were put together by ADE:

• Link to ADE's Assessment's Page for Parents/Students: https://www.azed.gov/assessment/parents
• A Guide to Arizona's Statewide Assessments
• Why Statewide Testing Participation Matters

Please reach out to your student's teacher/counselor if you need to withdraw them from our school.

If the student is still schooling with us during the state testing window, they are still expected to test.

If your student does not have an IEP or 504 Plan but you have medical or behavioral concerns we should be aware of, please reach out to your student’s teacher, counselor, or the testing staff on site.

Even without a formal plan, knowing about these needs ahead of time helps us prepare the environment, monitor your student appropriately, and respond quickly if something comes up.

We will do our best to accommodate your student and keep them safe during testing. The more information we have, the better we can support them throughout the day.

If your student has an IEP or 504 Plan and you have questions about their accommodations, please contact your student's Case Manager.

If a student required accommodations outside of the Universal Test Administration Conditions or Universal Tools detailed in the ADE's Accommodations Manual, the SE team submitted these to ADE or the ACT for approval.

The testing staff on site will have access to information regarding your student's testing accommodations.

Why testing sites vary from year to year

We work hard to secure as many testing locations across the state as possible. We base our site selection on where our students live so we can place sites in areas with the highest need. However, several factors affect which locations we can offer each year:

• Availability: Some venues are already booked during our testing window.
• Quality and reliability: We avoid sites where we’ve had issues in the past, such as technology problems, accessibility concerns, or inconsistent support.
• Contracting requirements: Every site must go through a formal contract process with our legal department. Sometimes negotiations fall through or timelines don’t align.
• Student distribution changes: As enrollment shifts, the areas with the highest concentration of students can change, which affects where sites are prioritized.

What families should know

• We truly do our best to offer convenient options statewide.
• We cannot guarantee that the same sites will be available every year.
• When a preferred location isn’t available, it’s usually due to factors outside our control, not a lack of effort or consideration

In Summary

We try to offer testing sites as close to students as possible, but availability changes each year. Some locations are already booked, some don’t meet our needs anymore, and others can’t complete the contracting process in time. We always welcome feedback about locations, and while we can’t always make every change, we use that input to guide future planning.

• Testing room expectations
• What to bring or not bring

If your student wakes up sick on the day they are scheduled to test, please notify either the testing site staff or your student’s teacher or counselor.

If you are unable to reach out to us and your student misses their scheduled session due to illness, someone from our team will reach out to you to arrange a new testing time.

Students Who Miss Their Scheduled Session

Our team will call you to reschedule your student after attendance is entered.

Students Who Arrive Late

• 9th Grade - Aspire: The ACT Aspire is 5 tests and can take about 4 hours in total to complete. These students were automatically scheduled to the morning sessions to allow for enough time for them to complete all tests in one day. If they come in the afternoon, please know that they might need to return on a different day if they can't finish all tests.
• 11th Grade - ACT: Once proctors close the testing room doors and begin oral instructions, students may not be admitted late.
• All other grades/tests: All other tests, except for ORF (3rd grade), are not timed. If students arrive late, they can start a test unit if there is enough time left in the test session/day. Once a test unit is started, they must finish it and cannot finish it on another day.

State testing rules require that only school staff be present in the testing room while students are testing. Parents and guardians are not permitted to sit in or remain inside the testing space.

If the testing venue has a designated waiting area, families are welcome to wait outside the testing room until their student finishes. Our proctors and staff will supervise students throughout the session and will contact families immediately if an emergency arises.

Students may take individual breaks as needed. They can step out briefly and remain under staff supervision, but they cannot leave the testing site with a parent or guardian while a test is in progress. They also may not receive any coaching, hints, or assistance from staff or family members during these breaks. These rules protect test security and ensure the session remains valid.

If a student becomes ill while testing, our first priority is their safety and well‑being. A staff member will escort the student out of the testing room, contact the parent or guardian, and determine whether the student needs to go home.

State testing rules require that once a student starts a test unit, that unit must be completed in the same sitting. If a student leaves before finishing, they cannot return on a different day to complete that same unit.

Students may pause briefly for supervised breaks if they are feeling unwell, but if they are too sick to continue, they will need to stop for the day. If the student is taking a timed test, staff will be unable to pause the time while the student takes a break.

All students in grades 3-8 need to be checked out by the legal guardian. Typically, it is ok for high school students to sign themselves out after they complete testing, unless you specify otherwise with our site testing team.

If someone other than the legal guardian is picking up a student, remember we need the "Permission to Release" form. (Please see the earlier section for more details: Someone other than the legal guardian will be picking up the student.)

Morning Test Sessions

For students scheduled in morning testing sessions, if you drop your student off, site staff will text/call when the student is ready for pickup.

Afternoon Test Sessions

For students scheduled in an afternoon testing session, families should plan to pick up their student no later than 4:45 pm at most testing sites. There are a couple of test sites where afternoon pickup might be earlier and the site lead will communicate this with families ahead of time.

Many of our testing locations are rented venues, and our agreements require us to vacate the space by a specific time. In addition, our staff must close down the site and travel home after the testing day ends.

Because many state tests are untimed, the exact length of a student’s session can vary based on their pace. Planning for a 4:45 pm pickup ensures students have enough time to finish while also allowing us to meet venue requirements and support staff safety.

Thank you for your cooperation!

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) typically finalizes state assessment scores during the summer, usually in June.

Once scores are available, Learning Coaches and students will receive an email containing PDF score report(s). For AASA assessments, the email will also include claim codes that can be used to access score reports through ADE's Parent Portal.

Please be sure to check your Spam or Junk folder, as these emails may occasionally be filtered by your email provider. In some cases, score reports may not be delivered if the email address on file is incorrect or if the recipient's mailbox is full.

If you believe you should have received your student's score reports but have not received them, please contact the Testing Coordinator for assistance.

State testing results are one of several tools we use to understand each student's academic progress and learning needs. These results are reviewed alongside classroom assignments, regular assessments, benchmark testing completed throughout the school year, and teacher observations to provide a more complete picture of student performance and growth.

The data helps us identify areas where students are excelling as well as areas where additional support may be needed to help students meet or exceed grade-level expectations. Based on these results, students may be:

• Placed in required Small Group instruction focused on specific skill areas
• Invited to participate in one-on-one support sessions with a teacher
• Offered tutoring or other academic interventions
• Provided with targeted instruction designed to address learning gaps and promote continued growth

Our goal is to use assessment data to ensure students receive the support and resources they need to succeed and make progress toward grade-level proficiency.

If your student did not pass the AASA assessment for 3rd grade and was required to attend the Reading summer school session, admin and the teacher will be evaluating the progress made to determine if retention is necessary based on the MOWR law. You will be contacted if the decision to retain has been made. If your student falls within the exemptions listed here http://www.azed.gov/mowr this will be taken into account.

If you couldn't find an answer to your question in this page or in our family testing newsletter, please reach out to your student's teacher/counselor or site testing staff!

If they cannot answer your question or concern, they will escalate the issue to our State Testing Coordinator, Pamela Anzaldua.