Elementary and Middle School Assessment

Assessments for Elementary through Middle School Grades

Learn about the various assessment types and their purpose for the elementary through middle school years.

MSTAR

• MSTAR - Maryland System of Testing Academic Readiness (formerly MCAP) - ELA: Grades 3-8, Math: Grades 3-8
  
  • The Maryland System of Testing Academic Readiness (MSTAR) evaluates student proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics standards for grades 3–8. These assessments measure student progress toward college and career readiness and provide key performance data for the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Report Card.
• Legacy MCAP Assessments - Science MISA Grades 5 & 8; Social Studies Grade 8; Algebra 1
  
  • These assessments are the Legacy Assessments under the Maryland System of Testing Academic Readiness (MSTAR) and evaluate student proficiency in grade-level standards for select grades. These assessments will be changing after the 2026-2027 school year in the phased MSTAR rollout of new assessments.

Early Learning

• Early Learning Assessment (Renaissance STAR) - Pre-K
  
  • STAR Literacy measures grade-level literacy and math skills throughout the school year. 
• KRA (Renaissance STAR Literacy) - Kindergarten
  
  • The Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) is an observational and assessment tool administered to all Kindergarten students within the first few weeks of the school year. The KRA measures skills, knowledge, and behaviors kindergarteners should be able to demonstrate at the start of the year.
• DIBELS - K-3
  
  • DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) is a set of short fluency measures that are used for universal screening and progress monitoring. This assessment identifies students who may be at risk for reading difficulty as required by the Ready to Read Act.

Maryland Alternate Assessments

• Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) - ELA 3-8, Math 3-8
  
  • Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) Alternate Assessment system provides an accessible, standards-based framework to evaluate regional special education learners with significant cognitive disabilities. Aligned with Maryland Alternate Achievement Standards, DLM translates state academic content in English language arts, mathematics, and science into manageable alternate targets called "Essential Elements"

PGCPS District Assessment (ES/MS)

• STAR Math - Grades K-5
  
  • Star Math is a norm-referenced test that is being used as a part of the state Numeracy Framework. This is an adaptive assessment that is given 2-3 times a year to determine readiness for grade-level standards, progress towards college and career readiness standards and show growth over time. 
• PSAT 8/9 - 8th Grade
  
  • The Preliminary SAT (PSAT) 8/9 is the first assessment in the SAT Suite of Assessments and is designed to provide baseline data for where students fall on the College and Career Readiness continuum as they enter high school. This assessment is utilized as a part of the application criteria for Specialty Program admissions.

Talented and Gifted

• OLSAT - 1st and selected 3rd grade
  
  • The Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) is administered to all students in 1st grade and selected students in 3rd grade. The test is a measure of verbal and non-verbal reasoning ability and abstract thinking. The OLSAT is one of the factors used to determine eligibility for the Talented and Gifted Program (TAG)
• CogAT - 4th grade and selected 5th grade
  
  • The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is administered to all students in 4th grade and selected students in 5th grade. This online test is a measure of verbal, quantitative, and spatial (non-verbal) reasoning abilities. The CogAT is one of the factors used to determine eligibility for the Talented and Gifted Program (TAG)

English Language Proficiency 

• WIDA ACCESS - K-12 students who are identified as English learners.
  • WIDA ACCESS (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State) is a summative English language proficiency assessment. WIDA ACCESS is given annually to English learners in kindergarten through grade 12 in WIDA Consortium member states to monitor students' progress in learning academic English. 
    

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