Testing Information
Our priority is to help every student excel in the classroom.
The Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD) is Tucson's leading educational choice for PreK-12. Academic achievement is a high priority as evidenced by test scores that exceed state and national averages. The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) recognized CFSD as one of the top performing school districts in the state of Arizona, and Niche recognized CFSD with the highest ranking for a unified school district in Arizona from 2015-2022. These accomplishments reflect the efforts of many: the achievement of our students, the hard work and commitment of teachers and staff, focused and effective leadership, and strong family and community support.
The district uses a variety of assessments to measure student achievement and inform instruction. Statewide achievement tests, required by federal and state law, are part of a larger local and state assessment system. Locally selected and administered tests measure a student's progress throughout the year. The statewide assessments are summative assessments that measure and evaluate student learning at the end of a school year. CFSD uses results from state achievement tests, and also from internal assessment measures such as classroom, grade level, and district common assessments, to inform instruction and improvement. For example, the district uses cross-disciplinary performance tasks to evaluate students' critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills, which have been deemed important by employers and schools in preparing students for postsecondary education and careers.
Students CFSD Assessment Program
CFSD uses a variety of assessments to measure student learning and inform instruction. The link below is a summary report of CFSD's Assessment Program and test results with general inferences and/or conclusions about the data presented in the report.
View CFSD Assessment Program: CFSD 2022-2023 Summary Report (PDF)
Test Scores
View CFSD's State Achievement Test Math Scores (PDF) (AASA/ACT)
View CFSD's State Achievement Test English Language Arts Scores (PDF) (AASA/ACT)
View CFSD's State Achievement Test Science Scores (PDF) (AzSCI)
Statewide Achievement Test Information for 2024-2025
The statewide tests are required by federal and state law. All students at tested grade levels are required to take the state achievement tests.
CFSD Testing Calendar for State Achievement Tests (PDF)
ADE Detailed Assessment Testing Calendar (PDF)
ACT (High School - Grade 11)
High school students enrolled in 11th grade (cohort 2024) will take the ACT. The ACT provides a high-quality, nationally recognized college entrance exam to all high school students at no cost to the students or the schools, while measuring students’ college and career readiness.
ACT Additional Information & Support Materials (ADE Website)
ACT Cut Scores (PDF)
ACT Aspire (High School - Grade 9)
The statewide achievement test for 9th graders (cohort 2026) is ACT Aspire. ACT Aspire is a summative assessment that measures what students have learned in the areas of English, Reading, Math, Science, and Writing. ACT Aspire is aligned to the ACT college readiness benchmarks. ACT Aspire scores predict how a student will perform on the ACT when they reach 11th grade.
ACT Aspire Additional Information & Support Materials (ADE Website)
AASA (Grades 3-8)
Arizona’s Academic Standards Assessment (AASA) is the statewide achievement test for students in grades 3-8. Students will take grade level assessments in Writing, English language arts (ELA), and Mathematics. Students in grade 3 will participate in an Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) assessment.
AASA Additional Information & Support Materials (ADE Website)
AASA Cut Scores - Scale Score Ranges (PDF)
AzSCI (Grades 5, 8, 11)
The statewide achievement test for science is the Arizona Science Test (AzSCI). It will be administered to all students in grades 5, 8, and 11/cohort 2024. The science assessment is a federal requirement and will measure the 2018 Science Standards.
AzSCI information & Support Materials (ADE Website)
AzSCI Cut Scores - Scale Score Ranges (PDF)
Civics Test - High School Graduation Requirement
In 2015, the Arizona legislature passed the Arizona Civics Test Law. A.R.S. 15-701.01 requires students to pass a civics test based on the United States Immigration and Naturalization civics questions. Students will be required to score 60% or higher in order to graduate from high school or obtain a high school equivalency certificate. School districts are required to document on the student’s transcript that the student passed the civics test. Catalina Foothills High School administers the Civics Test to juniors. Juniors who pass the civics test do not need to take the test again.
Beginning with the class of 2026, students will be required to score 70% or higher on the Civics test.
- Students may retake the test as many times as necessary to pass. The test is untimed.
- Students receiving special education services are exempt from obtaining a passing score unless required by an IEP.
- Students who use accommodations in classroom assessments will be offered the same or similar accommodations for the civics test.
- Local school districts decide how the test is to be administered.
The Civics Test administration dates for 2024-2025 are as follows:
- Sophomores & Seniors: Week of February 17-19, 2025 (retakes and for seniors who have not yet taken the civics test)
- If a senior has not passed the civics test, s/he will retake it until a passing score is achieved.
Civics Test Resources:
Arizona Revised Statute, ARS 15-701.01
Civics Test 100 Question List pgs 10-21 (PDF) provided by the Arizona Department of Education.
Arizona's A-F Letter Grade Accountability System
The Arizona State Board of Education develops an annual achievement profile for every public school in the state based on an A through F scale. The accountability system includes percentage of proficient students on the statewide assessment, year-to-year academic growth, the proficiency and growth of English learners, acceleation/readiness indicators (K-8), graduation rate (9-12), and college and career readiness indicators (9-12).
For more information on the A-F Accountability System, including how letter grades are calculated, the process the State Board undertook to develop the system, and an FAQ, please review the items listed below.
Letter Grade Accountability System for K-8 (PDF)
Letter Grade Accountability System for 9-12 (PDF)
Arizona State Board of Education A-F Letter Grade Website
2022-2023 Letter Grades (PDF)
Arizona Seal of Biliteracy Program
The Seal of Biliteracy is an award made by Catalina Foothills School District and the Arizona Department of Education to recognize graduating seniors who have attained proficiency in English and at least one other world language. The Seal of Biliteracy is placed on the student's diploma. Students who wish to pursue the Arizona Seal of Biliteracy are encouraged to register for a STAMP test to demonstrate proficiency in the world language(s) of their choice. Click on the link below for more information.
View information about the Seal of Biliteracy