Arizona: A Parent's Guide to Understanding AIMS Dual Purpose Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Do I, as a parent, have a right to see my child’s test scores?

Answer:  Yes. A.R.S.15-743(E) requires that each school district provide a parent or guardian of each pupil a copy of  the pupil’s test scores.

Question:Can my child “opt out” of the AIMS DPA or can I request that my child not take the test?

Answer: No. A.R.S.15-741 and federal law mandate that every child in a public/ charter school in Grades 3-8 participate in the state’s AIMS DPA.

Question: What if my child needs additional help to prepare for the AIMS DPA?

Answer: Check with your child’s individual school. Many schools have afterschool tutoring programs. Sample AIMS DPA tests and test-items are available through the ADE website www.ade.az.gov/standards.

Question:Will my child be retained if he does not “meet the standards” in all 3 areas of the AIMS DPA?

Answer: No. The state has no guidelines in place for Grades 3-8. Individual districts, however, may establish their own guidelines regarding AIMS DPA scores.

For more information contact:

Arizona Department of Education
Assessment Section
Tel: 602-542-5031
email: AIMSDPA@ade.az.gov
www.ade.az.gov/standards/AIMS

TIPS

What can you do to help your child?

• Participate in your child’s learning activities

• Read aloud to your child, beginning at an early age

• Encourage good study habits

• Set aside a specific time for homework

• Provide a quiet, well-lighted place for your child to study

• Communicate often with your child’s teachers

• Talk to your child often about school

• Require regular school attendance

• Emphasize the importance of academic achievement

• Provide activities at home that relate to school learning

• Provide your child with a balanced, nutritional diet

• Support and encourage your child

• Listen to your child

• Visit the ADE website and access the AIMS

DPA sample tests

Arizona Department of Education
Assessment Section
Tel: 602-542-5031

The Arizona Department of Education of the State of Arizona does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation or age in its programs, activities or in its hiring and employment practices.

The following division has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Administrative Services,
1535 W. Jefferson, Phoenix, AZ 85007,
Phone: 602-542-3186, Fax: 602-542-3073
Printed in Phoenix, AZ by the Arizona Department of Education.
Copies: 500, Total Cost: $273.92, Unit Cost; $.55, Date: 3/05

What is the Purpose of AIMS DPA?

The purpose of Arizona’s Instrument to Measure Standards Dual Purpose Assessment (AIMS DPA) is:

• To reduce testing time from two weeks to one week students are taking fewer tests classroom instructional time is increased

• To provide parents, teachers, and school districts information about a student’s academic strengths and weaknesses AIMS DPA is a statewide assessment that is both standards-based, measuring

• Students knowledge against the Arizona Academic Standards, and normreferenced,

• Comparing student knowledge against students nationwide.

• TerraNova norm-referenced test items included in the test compare a student’s performance to students nationwide

• AIMS test items measure a child’s knowledge--without comparison to other students-- based on whether the child is proficient in accordance with the Arizona Academic Standards

• AIMS questions are written by Arizona educators

It is important that you encourage your child to put forth his or her very best efforts on the AIMS DPA.