TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona might have to go back to only one standardized test -- like AzMERIT. That's because the state is in the crossfire of the federal government over menu-option testing and millions of dollars are at stake.
In 2016, the state legislature passed a bill that allows districts to choose alternatives to AzMERIT. For example, TUSD opted for the ACT to be used at the high school level.
But superintendent Gabriel Trujillo has now learned Arizona is not following federal school regulations, which requires all schools to take the same statewide assessment so results can be compared. He says Arizona asked the U.S. Department of Education for a waiver, but it was denied by the U.S. Department of Education.
During a media briefing, Trujillo explained what it means for this year's testing. "There is no impact. We're not pulling the ACT. We're proceeding full force, but the future implications for non-compliance could be felt in the 2019/20 school year," he said.
Arizona is at risk of losing 340 million dollars in federal funding. State officials are now working with the U.S. Department of Education to find a solution.
Trujillo criticized the previous Arizona Department of Education Administration for not doing its homework and bringing the menu option to districts to vote on.
