26-27 Family Testing Newsletter

Updated 10/14/26

Welcome to your one-stop shop for all things State Testing in the 26-27 school year with AZVA & ISAZ!

The information in this newsletter will be updated monthly as new information becomes available.

Please keep in mind that as a public charter school, state testing is required for all our students.

Arizona does not have any exemptions from participating in these assessments. Statewide Assessments are required by State and Federal Law. (State Law: ARS 15-741; Federal Law: 34 CFR 200.2 Participation in Assessments).

There is not an “Opt-Out” option. Your student might not be able to continue to participate in online schooling if they do not participate state testing.

Per Arizona Department of Education (ADE) , “No remote proctoring for Spring 2027. The legislation including a funding requirement that has not been met yet.”

This means that, at this time, we must continue to follow state and federal law requirements for students to test in person. (SB1457).

Students will be mass assigned to a location closest to where they live.

Curious about how state testing works, what your student will be taking, or why it matters?

Visit the Arizona Department of Education’s Assessments Page for clear, up-to-date information on:

✅ Required tests by grade level
✅ Testing formats and schedules
✅ How results are used to support student learning
✅ Resources for families and educators

This is a great way to stay informed and help your student feel confident and prepared!

• Arizona’s Academic Standards Assessment (AASA): English Language Arts and Math; Grades 3-8
• Arizona’s Science Assessment (AzSCI): Science; Grades 5, 8, and 11th grade cohort
• ACT Aspire: English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing; 9th grade cohort
• ACT: English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing; 11th grade cohort

• Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA): English Language Arts, Math, Science (for eligible students)
• Eligible students take this assessment instead of the assessments listed above

Eligible students take the following assessments in addition to Achievement tests

• Arizona’s English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA): English Language Proficiency (for eligible students)
• Alt ELPA: Alternate English Language Proficiency (for eligible students taken instead of AZELLA)

For more information about AZELLA or alternate tests (MSAA & Alt ELPA), please visit the dedicated newsletters linked below! 👇

The Arizona Department of Education has finalized most of the Spring 2027 statewide testing dates. The only assessment that has not yet been finalized is the MSAA (Multi-State Alternate Assessment).

Because of changes to Arizona testing windows under HB2032, statewide assessments will be administered across multiple testing windows this spring. Although several assessments are available during the same week in April, students may be scheduled to test during two different weeks to complete all required assessments. Additional school-specific testing schedules will be shared closer to the testing dates.

ACT Aspire (Grade 9)

• March 22 - April 16, 2027

ACT (Grade 11)

• March 23 - April 16, 2027

AASA (Grades 3-8)

• Writing: April 12 - April 23, 2027
• Oral Reading Fluency (Grade 3 only): April 12 - April 23, 2027
• Reading and Mathematics: April 12 - May 7, 2027

AzSCI (Grades 5, 8, and 11)

• April 12 - May 7, 2027

Test(s) by Grade:

• Kinder to 2nd Grade: Do not test
• 3rd Grade: AASA (with ORF)
• Oral Reading Fluency: timed reading test (only 3rd grade takes this!)
• Writing (untimed)
• Reading: 2 tests (untimed)
• Math: 2 tests (untimed)
• Note: Please see the newsletter dedicated to Arizona's Move on When Reading Legislation. It includes the letter that K-3 families receive from the elementary school principal at the beginning of the year.
• 4th Grade: AASA

• Writing (untimed)
• Reading: 2 tests (untimed)
• Math: 2 tests (untimed)

• 5th Grade: AASA and AzSCI

• Writing (untimed)
• Reading: 2 tests (untimed)
• Math: 2 tests (untimed)
• AzSCI: 3 tests (untimed)

• 6th Grade: AASA

• Writing (untimed)
• Reading: 2 tests (untimed)
• Math: 2 tests (untimed)

• 7th Grade: AASA

• Writing (untimed)
• Reading: 2 tests (untimed)
• Math: 2 tests (untimed)

• 8th Grade: AASA and AzSCI

• Writing (untimed)
• Reading: 2 tests (untimed)
• Math: 2 tests (untimed)

• AzSCI: 3 tests (untimed)

• 9th Grade: ACT Aspire
• 5 timed tests: English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing
• 10th Grade: Do not test
• Although 10th graders do not have required state tests this year, they are encouraged to use this time to complete their Civics Test at home, which is a graduation requirement, if they haven't done so yet. Reach out to your student's counselor if you have questions about this requirement!
• 11th Grade: ACT and AzSCI
• ACT is 5 timed tests: English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing
• See this newsletter for more information about the ACT!

• AzSCI: 3 tests (untimed)
• Your student will need a photo ID for the ACT! Click here to order one if you don't have one.
• 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

• 12th Grade: Do not test
• Although 12th graders do not have required state tests, they are encouraged to use this time to complete their Civics Test at home, which is a graduation requirement, if they haven't done so yet. Reach out to your student's counselor if you have questions about this requirement!

Acronyms:

• Arizona’s Academic Standards Assessment = AASA
• Arizona’s Science Assessment = AzSCI

For more information and practice tests, please see the Arizona Department of Education's "Guide to Arizona’s Statewide Assessments"

We know many families are eager to start planning for spring testing. We are currently working to secure testing locations across Arizona, but please note that these sites are not final yet. The approval process involves contracts, vendor coordination, and legal review, which can take time.

Our goal is to provide testing locations that are as convenient as possible for families while ensuring a quality testing experience. We will continue to add and confirm sites as agreements are finalized.

Potential testing locations include:

• Avondale
• Buckeye
• Casa Grande
• Chandler
• Chinle
• Flagstaff
• Florence
• Glendale
• Globe
• Green Valley
• Kayenta
• Kingman
• Lake Havasu City
• Maricopa
• Mesa
• Mesa East / Queen Creek
• Page
• Payson
• Phoenix (multiple locations)
• Prescott
• Show Low
• Sierra Vista
• Surprise
• Tempe
• Thatcher / Safford
• Tucson (multiple locations)
• Window Rock
• Yuma

Please note that not all locations will be available during all testing weeks, and some locations may be added, changed, or removed as plans are finalized. We appreciate your patience as we work through this process and will continue to share updates as sites are confirmed!

📚 Practice Tests Are Ready!

Did you know students can start preparing now for the spring state tests? Help your child feel confident and prepared by exploring the state-provided practice tests for AASA, AzSCI, ACT Aspire, and ACT. It’s a great way to see what they’ve learned and what to expect!

AASA & AzSCI Practice Tests (Grades 3–8 & Science)
🔗 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