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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
House: ED DP 7-5-0-0 |
HB 2032: statewide assessment; testing window; revisions
Sponsor: Representative Fink, LD 27
House Engrossed
Overview
Adjusts the testing window for the statewide assessment and the dates by which local education agencies (LEAs) must receive statewide assessment scores and data.
History
The State Board of Education (SBE) must adopt rules to implement a statewide assessment to measure student achievement of the academic standards in reading, writing and math. SBE may administer assessments in social studies and science. Statute directs SBE to both: 1) contract to purchase the tests for the statewide assessment; and 2) require in the contract that LEAs receive test scores and data by May 15 for the 3rd grade reading portion of the statewide assessment and May 25 for all other portions. If scores are received after these dates, SBE must impose penalties on the contractor (A.R.S. §§ 15-741 and 15-742).
Currently, any testing window established and executed by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and SBE to administer the statewide assessment may not exceed four consecutive school weeks. This testing window must ensure that LEAs receive test scores and data by the required May deadlines. Subject to approval by SBE, ADE may adjust the testing window in academic years in which SBE is revising or establishing proficiency levels for the statewide assessment (A.R.S. § 15-743) (A.A.C. R7-2-310).
When prescribing 3rd grade competency requirements, SBE may not require a student to be retained if the student's performance data on the statewide assessment is not available before the end of the current school year. A student who is not retained in this circumstance must receive intervention as prescribed if the 3rd grade assessment data subsequently does not demonstrate sufficient reading skills (A.R.S. § 15-701) (A.A.C. R7-2-318).
Provisions
Statewide Assessment Testing Window
1. Prohibits ADE or SBE from establishing and executing a statewide testing window that begins before the fourth week of April during any school year for an assessment administered to students in the 3rd-8th grades unless the assessment is an alternate assessment that is administered pursuant to a student's Section 504 plan or individualized education program. (Sec. 4)
2. Removes the authorization for ADE, subject to approval by SBE, to adjust the statewide assessment testing window in academic years in which SBE is revising or establishing proficiency levels for the statewide assessment. (Sec. 4)
Statewide Assessment Test Scores and Data
3. Adjusts the dates by which SBE must require, in the contract for the statewide assessment, test scores and data to be received by LEAs to May 26 for all portions of the statewide assessment, rather than May 15 for the reading portion and May 25 for all other portions. (Sec. 2, 3, 4)
4. Allows the statewide assessment contractor to provide unofficial test scores and data from the statewide assessment to LEAs to comply with the test scores and data deadlines. (Sec. 2, 3)
5. Instructs SBE to impose penalties on the statewide assessment contractor for scores received after May 26, rather than for reading scores received after May 15 and scores for all other portions received after May 25, unless the contractor provides unofficial test scores to LEAs by May 26. (Sec. 2)
6. Removes the authorization for SBE, if SBE alters the statewide assessment testing window, to adjust the dates by which LEAs are required to receive test scores and data. (Sec. 2)
Miscellaneous
7. Clarifies 3rd grade retention requirements by specifying that a 3rd grade student who is not retained and who obtains a score on the reading portion of the statewide assessment that does not demonstrate sufficient reading skills must receive intervention and strategies as prescribed. (Sec. 1)
8. As session law, requires SBE to enter into contract with contractors to purchase tests for the statewide assessment that meet the prescribed requirements. (Sec. 5)
9. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 2, 3, 4)
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Initials CH HB 2032
2/24/2026 Page 0 House Engrossed
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