K-8 Assessments

The Dysart Unified School District offers a variety of K-8 assessments that meet state requirements as well as help to prepare students for college and career. Below are a list of the most common assessments K-8 students take broken down into state and district categories. Parents and students are encouraged to speak with their school or teacher for more information.

For more information on exact district testing dates please visit the K-8 Assessment Calendar.

The purpose of assessment

Assessment is the systematic collection of data about student learning based on standards and the use of that data to create a continuous cycle of improved teaching and learning. In order to inform instruction, measure student learning and close achievement gaps, Dysart endorses the use of diverse classroom assessment data, such as formative, summative, performance based, portfolio and student observations. Results are used in conjunction with district, state and national assessment data to form a picture of student learning.

Dysart believes that assessments enable teachers to make instructional decisions for students
Dysart believes that assessments enable leaders to make program decisions for improvement.

State K-8 Assessments

Arizona's Academic Standards Assessment (AASA)

AASA is the statewide achievement for Arizona 3rd - 8th grade in Math and ELA.

Spring
3rd-8th
State Requirement

AzSCI

AzSCI is a Standards Based Assessment that measures student proficiency of the Arizona Academic Content Standard in Science It meets federal requirements for students assessment

Spring
5th and 8th
State Requirement

Civics Test

Based on the United States Immigration and Naturalization civics questions. Students will be required to score 70% or higher in order to graduate from high school.

Year round
7th and 8th
Graduation Requirement

District K-8 Assessments

Benchmarks

The benchmark assessments are given 2x a year (Fall and Spring). The Math and ELA assessments are used to establish baseline achievement data and measure progress toward a standard or set of academic standards and goals.

Fall and Spring
ELA 3rd-8th
Math K-8th

Acadience/DIBELS

DIBELS Benchmarks are given 3x a year. DIBELS is given to measure early literacy skills and predict later reading outcomes.

August, December, May
K-6th

95% Group Diagnostics

The PASI (Phonological Awareness Screener Inventory) and PSI (Phonics Screener Inventory) are given throughout the school year to pinpoint specific skill deficits and facilitate teachers’ grouping of students for focused intervention based on the screener results.