School Improvement in Maryland

Assessments

Maryland Assessments: How Do We Test What Students Have Learned?

HSA: High School Assessments

The Maryland High School Assessments (HSA) are tests that measure school and individual student progress toward Maryland's High School Core Learning Goals in in English, Algebra/Data Analysis, and Biology. Passing the HSA is a graduation requirement beginning with the graduating class of 2009.

MSA: Maryland School Assessments

The Maryland School Assessment (MSA) is a test of reading, math, and science achievement. This test provides educators, parents, and the public valuable information about student, school, school system, and state performance.


In This Section:
  • Practice Tests
  • Student Site
  • What HSA Assesses
  • History and More

In This Section:
  • Sample Test Items
  • What MSA Assesses
  • How It's Scored
  • More

ALT-MSA

Students with significant cognitive disabilities who cannot participate in the MSA, even with accommodations, participate in Alt-MSA. It assesses mastery of reading and mathematics objectives that are aligned with the Maryland Content Standards.

In This Section:
  • Sample Test Items
  • What MSA Assesses
  • How It's Scored
  • More


Standards: What Do Students Need To Know?

Grade Level | PK-8

MSDE has a set developed standards that identify the essential skills and knowledge students need to know and be able to do. The PK-8 standards cover a large set of content areas including: Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts, Health & PE, World Languages, ELP, and Technology Education.

In This Section:
  • State Curriculum

Grade Level | 9-12

MSDE has a set developed standards that identify the essential skills and knowledge students need to know and be able to do in Grades 9-12. The standards cover a large set of content areas including: Algebra/Data Analysis, Biology, Government, English.

In This Section:
  • Core Learning Goals
  • High School State Curriculum

Maryland's New Accountability System

School Progress

Maryland has a new accountability system that replaces the former AYP status model and takes into account additional indicators of progress —including growth, gap reduction, and college readiness in addition to achievement— which give a more accurate picture of a school's performance and progress then the former set of AYP achievement indicators.

Under Maryland's new "School Progress" plan, each school is measured against its own targets, and must work to strengthen achievement across all subgroups.

In This Section:
  • AMO Targets
  • 2017 Goal
  • How SPI is Calculated