AIMS as a Graduation Requirement

Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS), a standards-based test, provides educators and the public with valuable information regarding the progress of Arizona's students toward mastering Arizona's reading, writing and mathematics standards. Every student has five opportunities to MEET or EXCEED the standard on AIMS. A student will test for the first time during the sophomore year and then in the fall and spring of the junior and senior years, as necessary.

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

Full Tuition Scholarship to State Universities for Students Exceeding Proficiency Standards on AIMS

At the recommendation of Superintendent Tom Horne, the Arizona Board of Regents approved a Full State University Tuition Waiver effective with the Class of 2006 for students who meet the following criteria:

Part 1: Students must meet at least one of the following assessment options on the AIMS :

• Option 1: EXCEED the standard on all 3 of the AIMS tests; OR
• Option 2: EXCEED the standard on 2 of the AIMS tests and MEET the standard on 1 of the AIMS tests, AND receive a minimum score of 3 on two Advanced Placement tests or a minimum score of 4 on two International Baccalaureate exams

AND

Part 2: Students must meet at least one of the following academic requirements:

• Option 1: Have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale; OR
• Option 2: Be ranked in the top 5% of their graduating class

AND

Part 3: Students must complete all 16 core competency courses by graduation with a B or better in each course (4 units English; 4 units math; 3 units lab science; 2 units social science; 2 units foreign language; 1 unit fine arts) The Honors Tuition Waiver is renewable for 4 years based upon meeting university criteria. The amount varies based upon tuition fees charged by each state university.

For more information visit our website at www.ade.az.gov or email: kbutter@ade.az.gov For more information about the Arizona Academic Standards or for sample test items, visit the Arizona Department of Education website at www.ade.az.gov