Amphitheater Public Schools

Arizona's Academic Standards Assessment (AASA) is given each Spring to students in Grades 3-8, measures student proficiency in English Language Arts (including both Reading and Writing) and Mathematics. The assessment is aligned to ELA and Math academic standards adopted in 2016. Each year, the state of Arizona publishes School Report Cards, which includes results from this assessment. Parent information about the statewide achievement tests can be found at Parents and Students.

The statewide high school achievement tests are now the ACT Aspire (Grade 9) and ACT test (Grade 11). Together, these assessments measure English, Math, Reading, Writing, and Science. In addition, ACT is college-reportable. Parent information about the statewide achievement tests can be found at Parents and Students.

• Click here for ACT Aspire practice tests
• Click here for free ACT preparation help

The Arizona statewide test to measure Science is the AzSCI (formerly the AIMS Science test) and is administered to students in Grades 5, 8, and 11 in the Spring. The AzSCI is a computer-based assessment that allows for the use of a variety of innovative item types, all aligned to the Arizona Science Standards adopted in 2018. A sample test can be viewed here.

The Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA) is designed to assess students with significant cognitive disability and measures academic content that is aligned to and derived from Arizona's content standards. This test contains many built-in supports that allow students to take the test using materials they are most familiar with and communicate what they know and can do as independently as possible. The MSAA will be administered in the areas of ELA, Science, and Mathematics in grades 3-8 and 11.

Given at all grade levels, the Arizona English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA) is a standards-based assessment to measure students’ English language proficiency. AZELLA is used for both placement and reassessment purposes and the students’ proficiency scores determine appropriate placement for instruction. Students who have been placed into an English language learner program will also take the AZELLA reassessment once per year until they achieve proficiency. Students who have scored proficient on the AZELLA are then monitored for two years to help ensure success after their move into a mainstream classroom.

The AZELLA is available as an online test. A sample test can be viewed here.

MAP Growth tests are a group of tests created by NWEA and given to students in Grades 2-8 and at some high school levels, including Grades 9 and 10. The online tests are unique in that they adapt to student performance. If a student answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. This results in a detailed picture of what each student knows and is ready to learn — whether it is on, above, or below their grade level.

MAP Growth reports also provide typical growth data for students who are in the same grade, subject, and have the same starting performance level. Students are assessed in Fall, Winter, and Spring and their scores provide accurate, and actionable, evidence to help teachers target instruction to each student or group of students. More information about the MAP Growth tests is available here.

Amira is a literacy assessment and dyslexia screener, specifically for students in Grades K-3. (Third grade is especially important to literacy because it is the last year students are "learning to read". After third grade, students are "reading to learn".) Amira’s assessment uniquely combines direct observation with digital adaptation. Amira listens to students read and then creates running records, audio recordings, metrics, and reports for teachers and parents to review. Amira helps teachers group students by similar ability for stronger instruction.

i-Ready is an additional reading assessment at Amphi, given to students in Grade 2-5 to help teachers understand their students' areas of strength and difficulty. Like the MAP, i-Ready is a web-based adaptive diagnostic that provides teachers specific supports for students at all reading levels.

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is a national assessment of academic content outlined in the NAEP Academic Frameworks. The assessments are given to a sample of students in Grades 4, 8, and 12. Each year, a different school is selected, and within the grade level, a representative sample of students are selected. There are no individual student, school or district scores. Results are compiled and presented as part of an annual publication called The Nation's Report Card. Information about NAEP can be found here