Maryland System Testing Academic Readiness (MSTAR)

The Department of Testing, Research and Evaluation (DTRE) are excited to share an update regarding Maryland’s transition to the new state assessments—the Maryland System of Testing Academic Readiness (MSTAR)— starting with Grades 3–8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics this Spring. Designed to align with updated learning standards, these updated assessments measure real-world problem-solving and critical thinking through modern, interactive formats.

Here is what you can expect from the new assessments:

• Shorter Testing Time: Thanks to adaptive test designs, student testing time is reduced by approximately 25%. This means less test fatigue for students and more valuable time kept in the classroom for learning.
• Faster Results: While scores for the inaugural year will be delivered in Fall 2027, to establish a new performance baseline, future score reports will feature faster turnaround times to give families and teachers quicker, actionable feedback to support student growth.
• New Practice Sites Available: To help your child become familiar with interactive question types and digital testing tools, practice tests and resources are now available online. You can explore sample questions with your student.
• Family Portal: A new Family Portal website that will provide parents and families with access to their students' assessment results, including overall performance by test and a downloadable PDF of the Individual Student Report (ISR). You can explore the Family Portal. 

We look forward to partnering with you throughout the school year to ensure our students feel confident and supported. For additional details, resources, or questions, please visit our website or reach out to your child’s school. Information will be shared this Thursday, October 15th during the Family Institute at 5:30pm, brought to you by Family and Community Engagement and the Department of Testing, Research and Evaluation.