In this age of accountability, assessments have become an integral part of an educational system. We use assessments for varying purposes; however, their primary purpose is to drive instructional decisions. It is important that parents have a basic understanding of the assessments used. 

Arizona Academic Standards Assessment (AASA)Arizona Academic Standards Assessment is the state test for reading, writing, and math for third, fourth, and fifth grade students. It is a computer-based test which provides engaging questions and measures critical thinking skills for college and career readiness. The assessment is aligned to the state learning standards which detail what students should be able to do at each grade level. AASA is administered during the spring testing window. Check the school calendar for specific dates. For more information, please visit https://www.azed.gov/assessment/aasa.

Arizona Assessment for Science

At Hassayampa, only fifth graders will participate in this state science test during the spring testing window. For additional information, please visit the Arizona Department of Education website.

Galileo
Given multiple times a year in the content areas of reading and math to determine if first through fifth grade students are mastering the standards taught during the quarter as well as to determine if third through fifth are on track to passing state assessments. In addition to the quarterly checks, we give a pre and post-test at the beginning and end of each school year as a measure of growth.

Acadience

Acadience is an assessment used in grades K-5 to determine if students are on track for success in reading. We give the assessment to all students at the beginning, middle, and end of the year. Students who do not meet the core standards for reading will be progress monitored on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. At the end of the year, all students who meet benchmark will receive a gold medal in reading. To learn more, please talk to your child's teacher or one of the reading specialists.

Math Fact Fluency
Although math is much more than basic skills, those basic skills are necessary at an automatic level. We encourage students to master basic math skills benchmarks identified for the grade level.

District Formative Assessments (DFA)
We use weekly or bi-weekly, mini-formatives to determine if students have mastered the essential standard taught during that learning period. We base instructional groupings as well as recommendations for extra tutoring on the outcomes of these assessments.