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. Additionally, it removes the Arizona Department of Education's (ADE) authority to adjust the testing window and establishes that the testing window for grades three through eight cannot begin before the second week of April. The bill also allows the statewide assessment contractor to provide unofficial test scores to LEAs to meet these deadlines and imposes penalties for scores received after May 26.

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 score. It also mandates that pupils who do not get retained but score below the required reading skills must receive evidence-based interventions. 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 clearer guidelines for LEAs and the State Board of Education.

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