HSA: High School Assessment Program

	What is HSA?	What does HSA test?	What does HSA look like?	Practice Scoring Constructed Items	Practice Taking the HSA

What do
assessments test?

High school assessments are a test of a student's knowledge of Core Learning Goals contained in certain course content areas. The tests will be given after the student completes a course containing the Core Learning Goals. In 2013 Students are required to take tests in English, Algebra/Data Analysis, Biology, and Government.

HSA Updates

Maryland High School Assessments & Your Child with translations

What does Mod-HSA look like?
Algebra
Biology
English
Government
Mod-HSA Answer Keys
Mod-HSA Answer Form

State Board Reaffirms High School Assessment Plan
Press Release

Bridge Plan
Updated Bridge Plan for Academic Validation

Testing Requirement and The Bridge Plan
Meeting the Maryland Testing Requirement for Graduation and The Bridge Plan to Academic Validation

More about HSA

What 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, Algebra/Data Analysis, Government and Biology. Passing the HSA is a graduation requirement. 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 at mdk12.org/assessments/high_school/look_like/.

The Government HSA was reinstated with the 2012-2013 school year and students enrolled in the Government course must take the Government HSA. Students entering 9^th grade in the 2012-2013 school year or in a prior year do not need to pass the Government HSA but, may choose to use the score to meet testing requirements by means of the combined score option for a combined score. Resources have been developed to help students prepare for the Government HSA including public release and sample assessment items. Theses resources can also assist teachers with designing appropriate formative and summative assessments for their students.

	How do students meet the testing requirement?	What is the Bridge Plan?	How and when are scores reported?	What is Mod-HSA?

How and when are scores reported?

Within nine weeks after testing, the scoring company sends students' scores to the local school system. The local school system then sends the scores to parents. Scores for schools, school systems, and the state are published annually in mid-August on the Web at http://www.mdreportcard.org.

Students' scores are reported as scale scores. Maryland uses a scale score to provide a more precise measurement of a student's achievement and to assure that tests given at different times are comparable. Students'scores can range from 240 to 650 on the scale. Local school systems place students' HSA performance on the students' official records.