Graduation Requirements and AIMS

In Arizona Revised Statute 15-701.01 A 3, the state Board of Education is directed to "develop and adopt competency tests for the graduation of pupils from high school in at least the areas of reading, writing and mathematics and shall establish passing scores for each such test." The state Board of Education adopted the following regulation R7-2-302, ".receipt of a passing score on the reading, mathematics and writing portions of the AIMS (Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards) assessment for the graduation of pupils from high school or issuance of a high school diploma, effective for the graduation class of 2006."

The following are guidelines for the implementation of this regulation:

• Students graduating after January 1, 2006 must "Meet the Standard" on all three High School AIMS (reading, writing, and mathematics).
• Students in the 2006 cohort group or later who graduate prior to January 1, 2006 are not required to "Meet the Standard" on the AIMS to receive a diploma.
• Students in the 2005 cohort group or prior cohorts who do not graduate until January 1, 2006 or later, must "Meet the Standard" to receive a diploma.

For more information, please visit www.ade.az.gov/standards/aims/gradrequire/. Also available is a memo the Arizona Department of Education sent that discusses AIMS test requirements prior to and after December 31, 2005 graduation.

for students with IEPs and Section 504 Plans

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.

For more information visit www.ade.az.gov/standards/aims/gradrequire/.