Some Facts about MSA:

• The test meets the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
• The test assesses the Maryland content standards in mathematics, reading, and science.
• The reading and mathematics tests are administered annually to students in grades 3 through 8. The science test is administered annually in grades 5 and 8.
• MSA scores will show how well Maryland children have learned the reading, mathematics, and science skills specified in the State Curriculum.
• The test includes both selected response (multiple-choice) and brief constructed response items.

Parents

• Find out how you can support your child on MSA.

"The Maryland School Assessment will fulfill recommendations made by a state panel of parents, legislators, educators, and business and community leaders (the Visionary Panel for Better Schools) and will also meet the new federal testing requirements of President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act. It will launch a new decade of progress for our students"
- Nancy S. Grasmick
Former State Superintendent of Schools

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.

	What are MSA's performance standards?	What does MSA test?	What does MSA look like?	How are constructed responses scored?

How are constructed responses scored?

MSA Rubrics

Reading BCR
Mathematics ECR BCR
Science BCR

Constructed Response Items and Student Responses

Reading 345678
Mathematics 345678
Science 58

Examine Student Responses – Mathematics

Gr 3 Telling Time Animated versionPrint version
Gr 5 Fractions Animated versionPrint version
Gr 8 ProbabilityAnimated versionPrint version