Frequently Asked Questions regarding AIMS:

Do I, as a parent, have a right to see my student's test scores?
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.

What is the law regarding special education students?
Federal law requires all students to participate in AIMS testing. Local school district governing boards determine specific graduation requirements for special education students.

Can my student "opt out" of the AIMS or can I request that my child not take the test?
No. Federal law mandates that every child in a public/charter school in Grade 10 participate in the state's AIMS test.

Will the AIMS test results appear on my student's official transcript from high school?
Yes. The performance level achieved, the content level assessed, and the date the score was attained appears on student transcripts. If a student has tested more than once in any area, only the highest score attained in each content area will be recorded on the transcript.

What if my student, who met the standard in a specific area, chooses to retest in an effort to "exceed" but actually fails to "meet" on his retest?
A student's highest score will remain the score of record.

What if my student needs additional help to prepare for the AIMS tests?
For practice AIMS tests, visit the "Hot Topics" section of the Arizona Department of Education website at www.ade.az.gov. To access mathematics lessons or sample AIMS tests you may also visit www.IDEAL.ade.az.gov and log on as a guest user.

Through the Department of Education every student is also provided an individualized study guide, based on a students previous AIMS test results. It identifies areas of study where extra attention is needed.

We also recommend that you register to take some of our innovative AIMS Preparation Courses. There are three courses: AIMS reading, writing, and mathematics, each focusing on a specific AIMS topic.

What do the test results mean?
The AIMS test is a statewide standards based assessment that measures a student's knowledge against the Arizona Academic Standards. Each student will receive one of the following scores for each of the three areas: reading, writing, and mathematics:

• Exceeds the Standard - denotes superior academic performance on challenging subject matter reflected by the content standards
• Meets the Standard - denotes solid academic performance and understanding of the state content standards
• Approaches the Standard - denotes partial understanding of the skills and knowledge necessary for proficient work at grade level
• Falls Far Below the Standard - denotes insufficient understanding of prerequisite skills; students who achieve at this level have serious gaps in knowledge and skills and may require remediation

What if my child has an IEP or Section 504 Plan?
Newly adopted legislation amended ARS Section 15-701.01 as it relates to the graduation requirements of students with IEPs or 504 Plans. According to this amendment, students with IEPs or 504 Plans shall not be required to achieve passing scores on competency tests in order to graduate from high school unless a passing score on a competency test is specifically required in a specific academic area by the student's IEP or 504 Plan.

What can I do to help my student pass the AIMS?
Primavera will provide three preparatory classes for the state required AIMS Test. The courses will include math, reading and writing. The targeted groups of students to be enrolled in these courses are students who have failed AIMS test in prior years and 10th graders who will be taking the test for the first time this year. The AIMS prep course will provide differentiated instruction based on a pre-test that students will take at the beginning of the course to determine which state standards they have not mastered. Primavera courses are designed to engage students better than any other delivery systems because the instruction will be of a highly visual nature. Research has indicated that at-risk students are visual learners.

Other ways you can help your student succeed with the AIMS testing are:

• Participate in your student's school activities
• Encourage good study habits
• Set aside a specific time for homework
• Provide a quiet, well-lighted place for your student to study
• Communicate often with your student's teachers and counselors
• Talk to your student about school
• Encourage your student to participate in school activities
• Require regular school attendance
• Emphasize the importance of academic achievement
• Provide activities at home that relate to school learning
• Help your student plan for life after high school
• Provide your student with a balanced, nutritional diet
• Support and encourage your student
• Listen to your student
• Visit the ADE website and access the AIMS sample tests

Who Needs to Be Tested?
EVERY STUDENT NEEDS TO PASS ALL THREE (3) AIMS TESTS TO GRADUATE

• All students in the tenth grade should take the High School AIMS for the first time spring of their tenth grade year, based on the cohort year (year a student entered high school for the first time).
• Students in eleventh and twelfth grade who have not yet "Met the Standard" on a particular subtest must retake that test (offered fall and spring ).
• Students in eleventh and twelfth grade who have already "Met the Standard" on a particular subtest have the option of retesting in order to improve their scores. These students can retest during the fall and spring administration of AIMS, if they sign-up to do so prior of the testing. Students who have "Met the Standard" but did not sign-up to test are to be tested only if sufficient test materials are available.
• Students who have already "Exceeded the Standard" on any particular subtest may not retake the test.

If we do not have AIMS scores from your previous high school, you are required to be tested. We encourage students to call us to be sure that we have your AIMS results in our records. Please, do not wait until the day before testing to bring us the AIMS results. We are not responsible for tracking down your AIMS scores.

Students enrolled at Primavera, and who also attend another school, will take the AIMS at the home school. If you have any questions regarding the AIMS, please call us at 480-456-6678.