Schools spring into tests: AIMS, AzMERIT exams get underway

Spring has sprung, and so has annual testing in Yuma County schools.

Testing windows for several Arizona-mandated exams are either ongoing or getting ready to start, and education officials locally and statewide are offering helpful tips to take the stress out of the test — if possible.

“AzMERIT testing can be a stressful time for both parents and students, but it shouldn’t cause undue worry,” said Nuvia Enriquez, director of multicultural community engagement for Expect More Arizona and a member of the Yuma Education Advocacy Council. “To help children prepare, parents should stay positive and supportive and remind kids that this is just one test.”

The Arizona Department of Education gives districts a testing window, a set amount of time during which tests can be administered, according to the state’s website. The window for the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards Science (both the regular and alternate academic standards versions that is given in the fourth and eighth grades) lasts through March 31. On Monday, the window opens for Arizona’s Measurement of Educational Readiness to Inform Teaching

(AzMERIT) and the MultiState Alternate Assessment (or MSAA). AzMERIT testing should be concluded by May 4 for computer-based exams and April 7 for paper-based exams.

Yuma County Superintendent of Schools Tom Tyree said that each school district sets its own schedule for testing. Within the districts, those dates are often set by each campus.

“Each school schedules the administration as late as possible in the test window, but in a way they can get all the grade levels done with make ups at the end,” explained Somerton School District Superintendent Laura Noel.

For students who will be taking the test on their device at school, practicing at home may be helpful, Enriquez said.

“For children who are taking the test online, it can be beneficial to practice through the Arizona Department of Education’s sample exams. That way, students won’t be surprised by the format come test day.”

Those testing examples can be found at http:// azmeritportal.org/sampletests/

Not only can parents help familiarize their children with the online test, even questioning children about what they are reading (about the central idea or theme of book or article) can reinforce skills learned in the classroom, Enriquez said.

“Ask her to explain something she has written. Have her explain the steps she took to solve a math problem.”

Parents and guardians should pay attention to students’ physical well-being as well, Enriquez noted.

“Kids need more sleep than adults, so be sure that an appropriate bedtime is strictly observed the week of the test so that your child is well rested,” she said. “A healthy breakfast high in fiber and protein is also a big help.”

Even breakfast at school is better than no breakfast at all, Enriquez explained

for those whose schools offer such programs.

Dealing with test anxiety should not keep students — or their parents — up late at night, Enriquez said.

“AzMERIT is like an annual checkup — an important opportunity to find out how your child is doing in school. Just as doctors check height and weight, teachers and parents use the test to check how students are doing in English and math.”

One advantage to this year’s test is that it is “exactly the same as previous years,” Enriquez noted. This is the third year that AzMERIT will be given statewide. It includes two reading portions and two math portions.

The AzMERIT is also untimed, Enriquez said, and administered over the course of 2-3 days; students will be given as much time as needed to complete each portion. Third-graders also must take the tests by April

28 this year.

“For the most part, students in the same grade level will take the same test. For those high school, the AzMERIT test will depend on what math course they’re currently enrolled in (Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry or ELA 9, ELA 10, ELA 11),” she said. “Additionally, middle schoolers who are enrolled in a higher level math or English class will take the appropriate end of course AzMERIT exam rather than at their grade level.”

As far as scoring the exams, Enriquez said that electronic reports for thirdgrade AzMERIT are scheduled to be sent out to districts/schools May 12. The hard copy reports for Grade 3 will be delivered to district test coordinators on May 24. All other AzMERIT electronic reports for districts/schools will be delivered May 25. The hard copy reports for all other AzMERIT will be delivered to district test coordinators on June 20.

In Yuma County, that means once again, that third-graders will not know if they have met the state’s Move On When Reading requirement, which requires students to meet the standard to move into the fourth grade. Schools and districts will have to distribute the reports to parents either by mailing them home or sending them home in student backpacks at the beginning of the next school year.

Parents may try to ease their child’s fears by helping them get good rest, good food and supporting them in their fears, Enriquez said.

“Parents should keep in mind that their child has been preparing for this test since the school year began. All of the projects, assignments and discussions have reinforced criticalthinking and problem-solving skills.“