1. The Parent Guide To the AZMerit and Move on When Reading

2. What is the AzMerit Test?
The AzMerit is a computer-based test which provides engaging questions and measures critical thinking skills for college and career readiness. For schools that are not yet ready, a paper-based version will be available.
AzMERIT is aligned to Arizona’s state learning standards which detail what students should be able to do at each grade level.
The test is designed to measure student learning and progress towards readiness for college or career. Arizona controls the decision making for all aspects of the tests including test content, scoring, and reporting. Arizona educators are involved in the development of AzMERIT.

3. AZ Merit Testing
AzMERIT replaces AIMS for reading, writing, and math. This means students will no longer take AIMS for these subject areas. AzMERIT is also shorter than AIMS. This means your student will spend less time taking state tests than in previous years.
Students in Grades 3 through 8 will take AzMERIT in English Language Arts and Math at their grade level.
The English Language Arts test includes a writing portion and a reading portion. AzMERIT goes beyond multiple choice questions.
This means that the test results provide a better indicator of what students have learned during the school year. AzMERIT will allow for faster score reporting. However, the initial year’s results will be delayed.

4. AZ Merit Testing
Writing The writing portion will require students to read a few passages and then write about them. This type of task requires students to think deeper about topics and use evidence to support their thinking.
The reading portion will be administered in two parts. This will ensure students have ample time to read and answer questions.
The test will also contain editing tasks to measure student awareness of fundamental skills like spelling and grammar.
The math portion will be administered in two parts. This will ensure students have ample time to read and answer questions. The test will ask questions that check a student’s conceptual understanding of math as well as their procedural skills.

5. AZ Merit Tentative Testing Dates
3rd Grade
4th grade
5th Grade
6th Grade
March 31st (writing)
April 18th (math 1/ ELA 1)
April 20th (math 2/ ELA 2)
March 28th (writing)
April 4th (math 1/ ELA 1)
April 6th (math 2/ ELA 2)
March 30th (writing)
April 4th (ELA 1)
April 6th (ELA 2)
April 11th (math 1)
April 13th (math 2)
April 11th (math 1/ ELA 1)
April 13th (math 2/ ELA 2)

6. Tips on how to prepare your child:
Good Nights sleep at least 8 hrs
Full hot breakfasts in the morning
Resource Websites: Visit the AzMERIT website to find resources including:
Arizona’s Academic Standards
AzMERIT Sample Tests
Videos explaining the test

7. Move on When Reading
Arizona’s Move On When Reading legislation is designed to provide students with scientifically based reading instruction in kindergarten through third grade in order to position them for success as they progress through school, college, and career.
Student Retention: The strategic planning and quality instruction provided by Arizona schools work to ensure that students are reading at the appropriate level; however, some students require added time and attention to hone their literacy skills. Arizona revised statute requires that a student not be promoted from the third grade if he/she obtains a score on the reading portion of the AzMERIT exam that falls far below the third grade level as established by the State Board of Education.

8. Move on When Reading
Students learn best when parents are a part of the educational process.
Schools/districts are required to provide annual written notification to parents of students in kindergarten, first, second, and third grade informing them about the Move On When Reading legislation and the possibility for retention for students who do not earn a sufficient score on the reading portion of the AzMERIT exam.