Printer-friendly versionWhat is the High School Assessment Program?
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, Government, Algebra/Data Analysis, and Biology. Passing the HSA is a graduation requirement beginning with the graduating class of 2009. Students take each test whenever they complete the course. For example, some students may take algebra in seventh grade while others may not take it until tenth grade. The tests contain multiple-choice questions and questions requiring written responses. These questions are based on the content outlined in Maryland's Core Learning Goals. More information on the Core Learning Goals and sample test questions are available on the Web at mdk12.org/assessments/high_school/look_like/.
What is the Maryland State Assessment Program?
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. To learn more about the MSA Science 8 program visit http://mdk12.org/assessments/k_8/index_c.html
The middle school science MSA is given at the end of grade 8 and assesses science learned in grades 6 through 8. Most students take the MSA Science 8 on-line.