Maryland: Achievement Matters Most

What are the Benefits of the State Curriculum (SC)?

The SC ensures that no matter where a child attends school, he/she will be held to high expectations and will learn the same challenging skills as other students across Maryland. The SC:

• provides teachers with the content students must master to be successful on statewide assessments; and
• helps reduce the amount of time spent repeating and reviewing skills each school year.

The SC gives teachers a basic foundation to build lessons upon, leaving ample opportunity to go beyond the state standards.

What are Maryland’s Statewide Assessments?

Maryland statewide assessments are based on the SC. Maryland has assessments for the following grade levels:

• Maryland Model for School Readiness (MMSR) in kindergarten measures social and personal development; language and literacy; mathematical thinking; scientific thinking; social studies; the arts; and physical development. For more information go to Instruction - Early Education on MdK12.org.
• Maryland School Assessments (MSAs) cover math and reading from grades 3 through 8; and science in grades 5 and 8. For more information go to Assessments - Maryland School Assessments on MdK12.org.
• Maryland High School Assessments (HSAs) cover four core subject areas – algebra/data analysis, English, government, and biology. For more information, go to HSAexam.org.

The Maryland School Assessment (MSA) is a test of reading and math achievement that meets the testing requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The test is given each year in early March in reading and math at grades 3 through 8. Beginning in spring 2007, the MSA/Science will be field-tested in grades 5 and 8. Scores from the MSA and other state tests are posted on the Web at www.mdreportcard.org. The testing calendar is available as an Adobe PDF document. Sample test items are available on mdk12.org.

How are Student Statewide Assessment Scores Used?

The federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) requires every state to measure reading, math, and science achievement at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Maryland fulfills NCLB by reporting MSA and HSA scores to the U.S. Department of Education. For more information about NCLB, go to www.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml.

Statewide tests are useful for:

• guiding school-wide curriculum development efforts;
• creating or modifying classroom lesson plans;
• understanding a child’s academic strengths and weaknesses;
• developing individualized strategies for that child; and
• providing information on where a child may need extra support.

How Will I Know How My Child Did on an Assessment?

You will receive a Home Report with your child’s scores from your local school system. Contact your child’s school or the Local Accountability Coordinator for the local school system to find out when the Home Report will be sent. For a list of local school system websites, go to MarylandPublicSchools.org/MSDE/schoolsystems.

Where Can I Find Out How my Child’s School is Doing on Statewide Assessments?

Information about how schools, school systems, and the state are doing is printed in an annual “report card” (the Maryland School Performance Report). The online report provides an Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) chart for each school that shows whether or not the school made all of its performance goals. To find your child’s school information, go to MdReportCard.org and use the navigation bar at the top.

What State Testing Requirements Does my Child Need to Meet to Graduate High School?

(High School Assessments)

Students have three options to meet the State testing requirement.

1. Pass each of the four High School Assessment (HSA) tests T he passing scores for each of the HSAs are: Algebra/data analysis, 412; English, 396; biology, 400; and government, 394. There are two potential test substitutions:
   • Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) tests – For students who have earned a score approved by MSDE
   • Modified HSA– An alternative test for students with disabilities who meet the specific participation criteria based on the IEP process
2. Combined-Score Option. Students must earn a combined score of 1602 when the four HSA test scores are added together. This allows students to offset a low score on one test with a high score on another test(s).
3. Bridge Plan for Academic Validation. Students who did not pass one or more of the HSAs after taking the test twice and meet eligibility criteria must successfully complete assigned projects in the specific HSA content area to fulfill the testing requirement for that content area.

For more information about the HSAs and the Bridge Plan, go to www.HSAexam.org.

What are Maryland’s Alternative Statewide Testing Options for Students with Disabilities?

MSDE has developed a number of alternative statewide testing options so students who receive special education services can participate in Maryland’s accountability system.

• Alternate Maryland School Assessment (Alt-MSA). Given to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades 3-8 and grade 10 for whom the IEP team has determined that the students meet the specific participation requirements. The Alt-MSA is a portfolio assessment tailored to each student’s unique instructional needs in reading, mathematics and science. Students taking the Alt-MSA do not receive a high school diploma. They receive a Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion.
• Modified Maryland School Assessment (Mod-MSA). Given to a small number of students in grades 3-8 with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for whom the IEP team has determined that the students meet the specific participation requirements. The Mod-MSA is based on grade level content standards and modified academic achievement standards. The Mod-MSA incorporates variation in test delivery to meet the specific learning characteristics of the students. This does not include students with disabilities taking the Alt-MSA.
• Modified High School Assessments (Mod-HSA) . Given to a small number of students in grades 9-12 with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for whom the IEP team has determined that the students meet the specific participation requirements. The Mod-HSA is based on Core Learning Goals and academic achievement standards. The Mod-HSA incorporates variation in test delivery to meet the specific learning characteristics of the students. This does not include students with disabilities taking the Alt-MSA. Students pursuing the Mod-HSA may be able to complete the requirements for the regular high school diploma.