This bill proposes several updates to current statutes regarding statewide assessments in Arizona. It delays the deadline for local education agencies (LEAs) to receive test scores and data from the statewide assessment, moving the date for the third-grade reading portion from May 15 to May 26, and for all other portions from May 25 to May 26. The bill also removes the Arizona Department of Education's (ADE) authority to adjust the testing window and establishes that the testing window for students in grades three through eight cannot begin before the second week of April. Additionally, it allows the statewide assessment contractor to provide unofficial test scores to LEAs to meet the new deadlines.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the promotion criteria for third-grade students, stating that a pupil may not be promoted if they do not demonstrate sufficient reading skills, rather than solely based on their assessment score. It also mandates that pupils who do not meet reading skill requirements receive evidence-based intervention and remedial strategies. The bill increases the maximum length of the testing window from four to six consecutive school weeks and makes technical changes to the contracting process for the statewide assessment. Overall, these changes aim to enhance the assessment process and provide more flexibility and support for students and LEAs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-701, 15-741, 15-742, 15-743, 15-751, 15-761, 15-704, 15-342, 93-380, 15-731, 15-741.02, 15-203, 41-2546
House Engrossed Version: 15-701, 15-741, 15-742, 15-743, 15-751, 15-761, 15-704, 15-342, 93-380, 15-731, 15-741.02, 15-203, 41-2546
Senate Engrossed Version: 15-701, 15-741, 15-742, 15-743, 15-751, 15-761, 15-704, 15-342, 93-380, 15-731, 15-741.02, 15-203, 41-2546
Chaptered Version: 15-701, 15-741, 15-742, 15-743, 15-751, 15-761, 15-704, 15-342, 93-380, 15-731, 15-741.02, 15-203, 41-2546