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.
The 2006 tentative Reading and Math Grades 3-8 testing window - March
12-21.
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
explaining 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.
