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Maryland
School Assessment
The
Maryland School Assessment (MSA) is a test of reading, math, and--eventually--science
achievement. This test, which has replaced the Maryland School
Performance Assessment Program (MSPAP), will provide educators,
parents, and the public valuable information about student, school,
school system, and state performance.
Some
facts about the MSA...
-
The test will meet requirements of the federal No Child Left
Behind Act.
- In
2003 it will be administered March 3-6 to students in grades
3, 5, and 8 in reading and mathematics, and to students in grade
10 in reading.
- Scores
from the March 2003 administration should be available in late
summer 2003.
- MSA
scores will show how well Maryland children have learned the
reading and mathematics skills specified in the Maryland
Content Standards. MSA scores will also show how children
performed compared to other students across the nation.
- The
test will include both multiple-choice and short-essay questions.
- The
following links provide additional information about the Maryland
School Assessment:
This folder was designed to accompany a child's MSA scores.
It is a local school system's option whether to use this folder
or its own method of explainig the MSA to parents.
- Sample
MSA Home Reports
These are sample versions of the Home Report that
is sent home to parents of children who took the MSA.
-
Understanding AYP
This booklet summarizes how Maryland will measure adequate yearly
progress in schools, school systems, and the state. It was written
for school principals and local school system personnel who
have some experience with educational assessments and accountability
systems. Printed copies of "Understanding AYP" should
arrive in school systems and schools in early- to mid-August.
- The School Improvement in Maryland Web site, designed especially
for educators, provides sample MSA test items in reading
and math.
For more MSA information from School Improvement in Maryland,
click here.
- Information
Sheet: MSA Reading
This information sheet on the MSA reading test is
designed to give educators specific information about test items,
content covered, scoring and more. This attachment will launch
a PDF file in Adobe Acrobat.
- Information
Sheet: MSA Mathematics
This information sheet on the MSA mathematics test is designed
to give educators specific information about test items, content
covered, scoring and more. This attachment will launch a PDF
file in Adobe Acrobat.
- Maryland
School Assessment Questions & Answers
This series of frequently asked questions was created for school
system officials and educators interested in more detailed information
about testing, alignment, reporting, and accountability related
to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
- MSDE
Bulletin, September 2002 special edition
The MSDE Bulletin is a newsletter for Maryland educators
and other parties interested in Maryland public education. This
edition of the Bulletin explains the MSA in more detail.
This attachment will launch a PDF file in Adobe Acrobat.
- Maryland
Content Standards
The MSA is based on the Maryland Content Standards,
which describe the skills and content students should learn
in elementary, middle, and high school. This link will take
you to the Maryland Content Standards on http://mdk12.org, known
as the School Improvement in Maryland Web site. This site was
designed to help educators and school improvement team members
raise student achievement in Maryland schools.
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