The TerraNova is a national test that compares how

TerraNova
All Arizona students in grades 3 through 9 take the TerraNova Test every spring. The TerraNova replaced the Stanford 9 in 2004-2005. The TerraNova is quite different from the AIMS, as it measures student performance in reading/language arts and math, in comparison to a national sample of students. The TerraNova is given alone in grades 2 and 9, and in conjunction with the AIMS test in grades 3 through 8.

TerraNova scores are reported in terms of a national percentile rank (NPR). An NPR of 55, for example, means that the student's score on that test is equal to or better than those of 55% of the students in the national sample.

Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS)
The AIMS test is designed specifically to measure students' progress toward achieving Arizona's standards in mathematics, reading and writing. Achievement is measured by how well students learned the skills described in the state standards at each grade level.

AIMS results are reported in terms of four performance levels, relative to the state's standards: Exceeds the Standard, Meets the Standard, Approaches the Standard and Falls Far Below Standard. Arizona's state academic standards describe what students should know and be able to do in nine different subjects as they progress from kindergarten through high school. Complete standards are detailed on the Arizona Department of Education Web site. Printed copies of the standards can be ordered from the Department of Education by calling (602) 542-3088.

For grades 3 through 8, AIMS is integrated with the TerraNova, and is called the AIMS DPA (Dual Purpose Assessment).

While AIMS is an important lens on student learning in the lower grades, it's in high school that this test starts to matter more. Passing the 10th grade AIMS became a high school graduation requirement in Arizona, beginning with the Class of 2006. Students have up to five chances to pass the test prior to graduating, and may be able to use their high school courses to augment their AIMS scores in order to graduate. Students who do not pass are eligible for free tutoring. The state has a telephone hotline — (866) 688-2467 — to answer questions about the test and how to obtain tutoring. You can also find information at this state Department of Education Web site.

Booklets with AIMS test taking tips and sample questions are available from schools or on the Arizona Department of Education Web site.

Measure of Academic Progress (MAP)
The Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) is not a test; it's an assessment system designed to measure student performance from year to year for students in grades 3 through 8. Previously MAP was based on the SAT 9, but as of 2005, MAP uses AIMS scores to compare individual students from one year to the next. A school’s MAP rating is calculated by averaging the actual growth in test score achievement minus expected growth for all students.

AZ LEARNS
AZ LEARNS is Arizona's system for designating overall performance levels for each school. The profiles for elementary and middle schools are based on: the percent of students passing the AIMS test; the improvement or decline of AIMS scores over three years; the percent of students in each grade making year-to-year academic progress, which is indicated through MAP results; and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status. High school profiles are based on AIMS results, AYP status and graduation/dropout rates. Using these indicators, the state rates schools as Excelling, Highly Performing, Performing Plus, Performing, Underperforming or Failing.

Updated January 2007