Lauren Coughlin

The document outlines the standard operating procedures for the Arizona College of Nursing Institutional Review Board (IRB). It details the IRB's mandate, composition, membership, meeting schedules, and facilitation. It covers the types of human subjects research requiring IRB review, the review processes (exempt, expedited, and full), and special circumstances like amendments, adverse events, and research suspension or termination. The document also includes sections on IRB records maintenance, standard operating procedures review, and various appendices with forms for protocol review, applications, and reporting.

The 2024 Strategic Plan for the Arizona State Board of Education focuses on four key priorities: Postsecondary Access, Matriculation, and Persistence; Early Literacy; Special Education; and Teacher Recruitment and Retention. The plan outlines specific goals and levers (strategies) for each priority. For example, to increase postsecondary access, the board will investigate adding elements to the A-F accountability formula, support relevant legislation, analyze data to identify successful strategies, and convene stakeholders. In early literacy, the plan emphasizes the science of reading, advocating for relevant professional development and opposing legislation that minimizes early literacy policies. For special education, the plan involves reviewing and revising rules, investigating A-F accountability adjustments, and supporting relevant legislation. Finally, for teacher recruitment and retention, the plan focuses on data analysis, supporting mentorship programs, and reviewing educator preparation program data to identify and promote successful practices.

The Arizona State Board of Education's Statewide Five-Year Accountability Plan (2021-2026) aims to provide consistency and transparency in the state's education accountability system. The plan outlines a framework for evaluating schools and districts, focusing on student growth, achievement, and other key indicators. The system will use various assessments (AzM2, AASA, ACT, AzSCI, Aspire) to measure student progress and will incorporate adjustments based on assessment changes, new data, programs, policies, and board priorities. The plan includes provisions for reviewing and potentially adjusting letter grade cut scores and other metrics over the five-year period. Different models are outlined for various school types (K-8, 9-12 traditional and alternative, AOI, District/LEA, K-2/Small School, and Middle School), each with specific metrics and timelines for implementation and review.

This 5-Year Assessment Plan outlines Arizona's strategy for complying with federal requirements while maintaining a meaningful assessment system. Short-term goals (2019-2021) involve extending the AzMERIT assessment (renamed AzM2) in elementary and high school, with a focus on test refinement and a 10th-grade summative assessment. High schools will have a menu of assessment options, but all must administer the AzM2 in 10th grade. Long-term goals (2021-2024) include implementing a new single statewide assessment for elementary schools (grades 3-8) and offering high schools two options: a nationally recognized college entrance assessment (administered in 9th or 10th and 11th grades) or a different nationally recognized test from the same vendor. The plan prioritizes reducing testing, ensuring valid and reliable assessments, providing timely data, and aligning with state academic standards. The plan addresses the US Department of Education's waiver request and aims to meet federal requirements while maintaining the Board's values.