"For some Valley schools, state testing, which starts this week, will have even higher stakes.
If schools don't meet federal testing standards, they can face increased sanctions, including replacement of principals, curriculum overhaul or extension of the school year.
Both state and federal officials use AIMS scores to judge schools, but their assessments can be widely different.
Last year, a record 96 percent of Arizona's 1,896 schools got at least a satisfactory rating in how the state judges schools. But more than a quarter of Arizona schools failed to meet the federal government's standard for making 'adequate yearly progress,' or AYP.
One Mesa junior high reflects the different ways schools are judged."
If schools don't meet federal testing standards, they can face increased sanctions, including replacement of principals, curriculum overhaul or extension of the school year.
Both state and federal officials use AIMS scores to judge schools, but their assessments can be widely different.
Last year, a record 96 percent of Arizona's 1,896 schools got at least a satisfactory rating in how the state judges schools. But more than a quarter of Arizona schools failed to meet the federal government's standard for making 'adequate yearly progress,' or AYP.
One Mesa junior high reflects the different ways schools are judged."