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State-by-State Analysis: Arizona

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Elementary

Middle

High School

Elementary

Middle

High School

Standards
The table below indicates the content the AFT looks for when reviewing English, math, science, and social studies standards. Standards that are clear and specific at the elementary, middle, and high school levels are shaded as indicated in the legend above. Standards that do not meet our criteria remain clear or "empty." Refer to the Content Standards link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating standards.

English

Reading Basics

Reading Comprehension

Writing Conventions

Writing Forms

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Math

Number Sense

Measurement

Geometry

Algebra

Data Analysis

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Science

Earth Science

Physical Science

Life Science

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Social Studies

Civics

U.S. History

World History

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Updated 8/2004 

Curriculum & Instruction
The table below identifies the components of a standards-based curriculum. If the components are present the appropriate levels—elementary, middle, and high school—are shaded as indicated in the legend above. If the components are missing, than the graphic remains clear or "empty." Refer to the Curriculum & Instruction link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating standards-based curriculum materials.

 

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

Learning Continuum

None

None

None

None

Instructional Resources

None

None

None

None

Instructional Strategies

None

None

None

None

Performance Indicators

Performance descriptors

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

Rubrics / scoring guides

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

Sample student work

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

Commentary on student work

Elementary, Middle and High

None

None

None

Lesson Plans

Specifies standards addressed

None

None

None

None

Specifies prior knowledge needed

None

None

None

None

Integrates two or more standards

None

None

None

None

Indicates necessary materials

None

None

None

None

Includes classroom assessments

None

None

None

None

Indicates length of time needed

None

None

None

None

Includes sample student work and rubrics

None

None

None

None

Provides instructional guidance

None

None

None

None

Includes instructional strategies for diverse learners

None

None

None

None

Updated 4/2002 

Assessing Student Performance
The table below indicates the features of an "open" or transparent assessment system that is based on the content standards. If the features are present the appropriate levels—elementary, middle, and high school—are shaded as indicated in the legend above. If the features are missing, than the graphic remains clear or "empty." Refer to the Assessing Student Performance link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating open and aligned testing systems.

 

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

Grades assessed

3-8, 10

3-8, 10

 

 

Alignment report available

None

None

None

None

State indicates standards tested

None

None

None

None

State indicates number of items per standard

None

None

None

None

Test or sample items released

None

None

None

None

Released items indicate standard tested

None

None

None

None

State provides grade-specific performance level descriptors

None

None

None

None

State provides rubrics

None

None

None

None

State releases scored student work

None

None

None

None

Released student work includes scorer commentary

None

None

None

None

Updated 4/2004

Accountability
The table below indicates the elements of a student accountability policy. If the elements are present, the appropriate levels—elementary, middle, and high school—are shaded as indicated in the legend above. If the elements are missing, than the graphic remains clear or "empty." Refer to the Accountability link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating student accountability policies.

 

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

State requires academic intervention for struggling students

Elementary

Elementary

Elementary

Elementary

State funds academic intervention for struggling students

None

None

None

None

Promotion from grade to grade in elementary or middle school and/or graduation from high school is based, in part, on state test results

High School

High School

None

None

Students can earn awards for meeting higher standards

None

None

None

None

Updated 4/2002

 

 


Documents Reviewed

3rd Grade Student Guide for Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards, 1999 (curriculum, assessments)

5th Grade Student Guide for Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards, 1999 (curriculum, assessments)

8th Grade Student Guide for Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards, 1999 (curriculum, assessments)

15-707.01: Intensive Reading Instruction (accountability)

15-715: Special Academic Assistance to Pupils in Kindergarten Programs and Grades One Through Three (accountability)

AIMS as a High School Graduation Requirement: Analysis of Public Survey Data and Recommendations (accountability)

AIMS High School Performance Standards—Mathematics (curriculum)

AIMS High School Performance Standards—Reading (curriculum)

AIMS High School Performance Standards—Writing (curriculum)

AIMS Six Trait Analytic Writing Rubric (curriculum)

AIMS Mathematics Released Items: High School, Jan. 26, 2001 (assessments)

AIMS Mathematics Sample Test Items: High School (assessments)

AIMS Reading Released Items: High School (assessments)

AIMS Reading Sample Test Items: High School (assessments)

AIMS Writing Released Items: High School (assessments)

AIMS Writing Sample Test items: High School  (assessments)

AIMS Writing: Sample Writing Exemplar Papers—High School (curriculum)

Arizona Academic Content Standards--Science, May 2004 (standards)

Arizona Releases Test Questions (assessments)

Guide to Understanding AIMS Results (curriculum, assessments)

High School Student Guide for Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards, 1999 (curriculum, assessments)

Improving Education for All Children: Arizona's Academic Standards and the AIMS Test (accountability)

Language Arts Standards, 1997 (standards)

Language Arts Standard 2: Writing, June 2004 (standards)

Language Arts Standards Chart for AIMS Foundations Level, Grade 3 (assessments)

Language Arts Standards Chart for AIMS Essentials Level, Grade 5 (assessments)

Language Arts Standards Chart for AIMS Essentials Level, Grade 8 (assessments)

Language Arts Standards Chart for AIMS Proficiency Level, High School  (assessments)

Mathematics Standards, 1997 (standards)

Mathematics Standards Chart for AIMS Foundations Level, Grade 3 (assessments)

Mathematics Standards Chart for AIMS Essentials Level, Grade 5 (assessments)

Mathematics Standards Chart for AIMS Essenatials Level, Grade 8 (assessments)

Mathematics Standards Chart for AIMS Proficiency Level (High School), Dec. 27, 2000

Performance Level Descriptors Essentials, Grade 3, 2000 (curriculum)

Performance Level Descriptors Essentials, Grade 5, 2000 (curriculum)

Performance Level Descriptors Essentials, Grade 8, 2000 (curriculum)

Press Release: State Board of Education Approves Superintendent's Timeline for AIMS (accountability)

Press Release: Superintendent Molera releases High School AIMS questions (assessments)

Social Studies Standards, 2000 (standards)

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