What is AzMERIT?
Arizona’s Measurement of Educational Readiness to Inform Teaching (AzMERIT) is an annual statewide test that measures how students are performing in English language arts and math. Assessments can be effective tools to support your child’s learning. They can tell you and your child’s teacher if your child is on track to succeed or if he/she needs to spend additional time learning a topic.
frequently asked questions
Who takes AzMERIT?
Students in 3rd through 8th grade will take AzMERIT in English language arts and math at their grade level. 8th graders that are enrolled in Algebra I will take the Algebra I end-of-course assessment. In high school, students will take AzMERIT end-of-course tests in English language arts and math. The test will be administered to students enrolled in English classes in 9th through 11th grades, and Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II.
What does AzMERIT mean for students?
AzMERIT goes beyond multiple choice questions to provide a better indicator of what students have learned during the school year. Students will have a chance to show their critical-thinking skills by applying concepts and showing deeper understanding of a topic.
What is the test like?
Writing: The writing portion will require students to read a few passages and then write about them. This type of task requires students to think deeper about topics and use evidence to support their thinking. It will take an average of 45-90 minutes to complete the writing portion.
Reading: The reading portion will be administered in two parts over the course of one to two days. This will ensure students have ample time to read and answer questions. The test also contains editing tasks to measure student understanding of fundamental skills like spelling and grammar. Each part of the test will take students an average of 45-75 minutes to complete.
Math: The math portion will be administered in two parts over the course of one to two days. This will ensure students have ample time to read and answer questions. The test will ask questions that check a student’s conceptual understanding of math, as well as their procedural skills. Each part of the test will take students an average of 50-85 minutes to complete.
Will my child take the test on a computer or paper?
Students will take the computer-based version of AzMERIT.
Will my high school student need to pass AzMERIT to graduate?
Students are NOT required to pass the assessment for graduation. Beginning with the class of 2017, all students will need to pass a civics test for graduation.
What if my child is not a good test taker?
Your child’s school and teacher can provide suggestions for helping your child successfully know and demonstrate his or her understanding of the state standards, which is what the AzMERIT test is based on. Throughout the school year, there are many ways teachers assess how students are doing in their classroom, including classwork, homework, quizzes, projects, and teacher and counselor observations about your child’s growth. The results from AzMERIT should be used along with all of this information to ensure your child is on track to succeed.
Are students still required to take AIMS Science?
Yes. AIMS Science is given to any students taking biology, which is mostly 9th graders and some 10th graders.