CREIGHTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 14

TESTING PROGRAMS

The use of tests serves as an important indicator of the success and quality of the District’s educational program. For individual students, test results, combined with other criteria, provide valuable insights into their academic achievement.

The Board Authorizes:

A. A testing program as outlined in A.R.S. 15-741 and 15-755. B. A District-wide testing program that is subject to regular review and evaluation. C. In-service training for teachers and staff members on the administration and interpretation of test results.

Test Participation

All Arizona students in grades two (2) through twelve (12) shall be administered, at least once each year, a standardized, nationally-normed written test of academic subject matter in English. Students with disabilities will be included in the testing program with the provision of appropriate accommodations or alternate assessments, as specified in their Individualized Education Program (IEP).

If statewide assessment results are available before the start of the school year, each school district and charter school must provide notification, no later than the first half of the second quarter, to parents of pupils in grades six (6) through eight (8) who have not demonstrated proficiency in grade-level mathematics. The notification shall include:

A. A description of the pupil's mathematics deficiencies as demonstrated by the statewide assessment. B. A description of the current mathematics services provided by the school, including supplemental instructional services designed to remediate the deficiencies.

Security of Testing Materials

Employees designated by the Superintendent to administer the achievement tests adopted by the Arizona State Board of Education must:

A. Keep all test materials in locked storage. B. Not reproduce any test materials in any manner. C. Not disclose any actual test items to students prior to testing. D. Not provide answers to any test items to students. E. Administer only practice tests provided by the test publishers. Previous editions of the test series used in statewide testing may not be used as practice tests. F. Strictly observe all timed subtests. Time limits for untimed subtests should be followed as closely as possible to maintain uniformity in test administration. G. Follow test administration instructions exactly. No test item may be repeated unless otherwise indicated in the directions. H. Not change a student’s answer. I. Return all test materials to the Superintendent immediately upon the completion of testing.

Failure to comply with these testing protocols or any relevant Arizona Revised Statutes, rules, or regulations will be grounds for disciplinary action, including suspension or termination. All violations of this policy must be reported to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Standards Adopted by the State Board of Education

The District shall establish specific objectives aligned with the goals set by the State Board of Education. The Superintendent will make recommendations for these objectives based on data gathered annually.

The Superintendent will also establish procedures for assessing student achievement of the standards adopted by the State Board of Education and for reporting and utilizing test results and other non-test indicators.

Reporting Results

The District shall provide parents or guardians with the resulting scores of the statewide assessment, along with comparison scores for the District, county, and state.

Additionally, the District will produce an annual report card for public distribution, which will include scores for each school in the District, as well as overall results for the District, county, state, and nation.

LEGAL REFERENCES

• A.R.S. 15-708
• A.R.S. 15-741
• A.R.S. 15-743
• A.R.S. 15-744
• A.R.S. 15-745
• A.R.S. 15-755