Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Preliminary Testing Calendar 2026-2027

Memo Information

Memo Number
COM-26-035
Memo Date
2/3/2026
Memo Type
Informational
Unit
Public School Accountability
Regulatory Authority
Response Required
NO
Attention
Assistant Principal; Assistant Superintendent; Communications Manager / Director; CTE Coordinator (COOPs and regular school districts); Curriculum Coordinators; Data Stewards (SIS; eSchool; eFinance; TRIAND); District Coordinators (ALE; Homeless; ESOL; SDFS & Foster); Gifted & Talented Coordinators; Parent Involvement Coordinators/Facilitators; Principals; School Counselors; Special Education Supervisor; Superintendents; Teachers; Technology Coordinators; Test Coordinators

Primary Contact Information

Secondary Contact/s Information

Memo Text

The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) provides a statewide student assessment system that is administered by Arkansas public schools in accordance with a schedule established by the State Board of Education. All students enrolled in an Arkansas public school district are required to participate in the statewide general student assessment system. In addition, ADE offers a suite of college- and career-readiness assessments to support preparation for postsecondary enrollment, military enlistment, or entry into the workforce.

For the 2025–2026 summative assessment administration, the testing windows for K–2, grades 3–10 and End-of-Course (EOC), ALT ELPA, and ELPA21 have been extended by one week due to recent school closures. The revised testing windows are as follows:

  • K–2 Summative: April 13 – May 22

  • Grades 3–10 and End-of-Course (EOC): April 13 – May 22

  • ALT ELPA: February 2 – April 3

  • ELPA21 Summative: March 2 – April 17

  • Grade 3 Retake ELA: May 26-June 30

Preliminary assessment windows for the 2026–2027 school year have also been established. All statewide assessments must be administered within the designated testing windows outlined in the attached document.

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