Principal's Pen

Principal’s Pen

March 22, 2019

Dear Simis Parents,

The most important tests of the year are occurring the next few weeks, the AzMERIT. Third and Fourth graders each will take tests of their writing, reading, and mathematics skills April 8th through the 12th . Make up testing will be the following week. Fourth grade AIMS Science is Tuesday, April 2nd.

The tests are very challenging, with open-ended responses, and questions with multiple correct answers. They include the expectation that students have stamina to sustain attention, as well as that they go back and re-read several lengthy passages for evidence to defend an answer. Writing (by word processing) is imbedded in all portions of the English Language Arts (ELA) assessments. These skills demonstrate the complexity of Arizona’s State Standards, the Arizona College and Career Ready Standards (ACCRS).

For a sample of what these tests look like for students, please use the following link :

http://azmeritportal.org/sample-tests/

I recommend that everyone in the family take a few of these sample tests. Afterward, this would make for great dinner conversation.

Another unusual component of the tests is that they are all taken completely online. This makes the test more pleasant for students, taking away the need to make certain the ‘bubble’ is filled in darkly, corresponding to the correct question, erased completely, etc. It also will make results on these tests available much more rapidly this year giving students practice with technology at home might be a good idea. We are practicing at school as well.

Thank you for sending your students rested and ready to do their best on these tests,

Joyce