AzMERIT Arizona’s Statewide Achievement Assessment for English Language Arts and Mathematics November 20, 2014

PART II: WHAT IS A Z MERIT?

The vendor for AzMERIT is AIR Who is AIR? – Nonprofit organization – 37 years experience in K-12 educational assessments – Experienced with computer-based and paperbased formats Implementing an Arizona Assessment

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) will work with AIR to develop AzMERIT. AzMERIT is a uniquely Arizona test that measures Arizona standards. Arizona educators serve a significant role in test development. Implementing an Arizona Assessment

How is AzMERIT similar to AIMS? Fixed form test AZ specific blueprint AZ approved test content AZ specific scoring AZ specific reporting Extensive AZ educator involvement Arizona’s Unique Assessment

How is AzMERIT different from AIMS? AzMERIT is aligned to the current standards. AzMERIT is a computer-based assessment with a greater variety of test item types. High school testing is now end-of-course testing. Arizona’s Unique Assessment

How is AzMERIT different from AIMS? AzMERIT results will identify if students are on track to be college and career ready upon graduation from high school. AzMERIT results will be comparable to statewide test results in many other states. Arizona’s Unique Assessment

AzMERIT Blueprints Describe the test content Informed by the standards Percentage of student score – Strands (ELA) – Domains (Math) Alignment to Current Standard

Advantages of Computer-Based Assessments Test Items – interactive items – audio features Accessibility and Accommodations – Greater accessibility for all students – Greater variety of accommodations Computer-Based Assessment

Advantages of Computer-Based Assessments Scheduling Logistics – longer testing window – more flexibility Faster results – after spring 2015 More cost-effective Computer-Based Assessment

AIR’s testing platform Requires minimal bandwidth Wide variety of devices Easy to use Does not require local dedicated IT support Exceptional security ensuring student privacy Computer-Based Assessment

Tech Readiness ADE helping schools to evaluate their technical readiness for computer-based assessment. Computer-based testing readiness report will provide schools with a readiness status. A paper-based version will be available. Computer-based and paper-based test forms will be equated. Computer-Based Assessment

EOC Testing Plan First 3 years of high school English credit and the first 3 years of high school Mathematics credit Administered near the end of course – For English: ELA 9, ELA 10, and ELA 11 – For Mathematics: Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II Will measure mastery of the standards taught in that course End-of-Course (EOC) Testing

EOC Testing Plan Will be offered in spring, summer, and fall Results may be included in course grade Passing EOC tests is not required for high school graduation End-of-Course (EOC) Testing

Advantages of EOC testing More information about student readiness for college and career upon graduation Measures a broader range of high school content Taken when enrolled in course regardless of student’s grade End-of-Course (EOC) Testing

The number of score levels of AzMERIT is under discussion. – We expect AzMERIT to have at least two passing score levels. A passing score on AzMERIT will mean a student is on track for college or career upon graduation. – Higher expectation than AIMS. Reports will identify students’ areas of strength and weakness. Scoring

AzMERIT results comparable to other states – Utah – Florida – Smarter Balanced Consortium California Nevada Oregon Washington Idaho Wisconsin Connecticut and more Scoring

Students in Grades 3 through high school will take AzMERIT – Including all English Language Learner students – Most students with disabilities Alternate achievement tests – Offered to eligible students with significant cognitive disabilities Who will take AzMERIT?

Students in grades 3-8 – ELA – Math – At grade level Students enrolled in high school level courses – ELA 9, ELA 10, ELA 11 – Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II – Regardless of student’s grade Who will take AzMERIT?

Spring 2015 – Test Window AzMERIT testing times are shorter than AIMS – Details about testing sessions and scheduling to come Spring 2015 AzMERIT results available after the start of school year – In future, results available before end of school year. When will AzMERIT be given? Computer-BasedMarch 30 – May 8 Paper-BasedApril 13 – April 24

What is accountability? Accountability helps to ensure: – students are learning what they should be learning – teachers are teaching what they should be teaching – schools are providing appropriate supports to students and teachers. Accountability

Student level accountability – Grade 3 “Move on When Reading” – High School End-of-Course testing Teacher and school level accountability – Teacher and principal evaluations – A-F Letter Grades Accountability