stan paz

When asked how parents can monitor their child’s skills, Paz says that communication with your child’s teacher is critical. "The key is for parents to establish a relationship with their child’s teacher. This is especially important at the elementary level. There should be clear communication with regard to assessment, and what help, if any, needs to be provided." Paz says this is his regular advice to family, friends, and anyone who asks him what it takes for their child to do well in school. "It is important to raise the level of communication to a point where expectations are higher by everyone for the student to do well."

When asked about AIMS, Paz says that he feels comfortable with the system because he is used to the high-stakes testing done in Texas. "Governor George W. Bush has had this type of accountability for some time in Texas, and I see AIMS as one more step towards that level of accountability in Arizona," says Paz.

He is quick to caution that AIMS is simply a gatekeeper test, that students will not be able to leave the system without passing through that gate. "Parents need to address assessment at every level, not just AIMS. The first year that AIMS halts students from graduating high school, I know that I’ll have parents in my office asking why their students made decent grades all through school, yet can’t pass AIMS." He says that this consistent monitoring of your child’s progress is what is key to not getting caught at the gate.