When are students tested? 1
3rd grade
5th grade
Annually, 7th through 12th grades
What subjects are tested? 1
Language Arts
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
What types of questions are used? 1
Multiple choice
Short written response
Extended written response
Performance tasks
How are test results used? 1
High school graduation (exit requirement) (in the future)
Student diagnosis
Curriculum planning
Improvement of instruction
Program evaluation
School accreditation
School performance reporting
School monetary penalties
Schools placed on probation or watch lists
School takeovers
School monetary awards
What tests are used? 1
Maryland School Performance Assessment Program (grades 3, 5, 8)
Maryland Functional Testing Program (grades 7 - 12)
Are students with disabilities exempt?
2, 3
Exemptions determined by IEP team:
For Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills - Students included to fullest
extent possible.
For Functional Testing Program - Exemptions given to students not pursuing
high school diploma.
For School Performance Assessment Program - Exemptions given to students
from content areas (e.g., reading, mathematics) that are not part of their
instructional programs, and when students’ instructional outcomes differ
from the Maryland Learning Outcomes.
For all three tests - Exemptions given to students whose IEPs primarily
address alternative outcomes (IMAP, e.g., life skills).
What accommodations are available so
that students with disabilities can participate? 2
List of accommodations approved by state Department of Education.
Other accommodations available with local and state approval.
Accommodations must be operational in ongoing instructional program
and assessment activities.
Accommodations must not invalidate assessment for which they are granted.
How are scores of students with disabilities
reported? 2
School, district, and statewide reports separate ("disaggregate") scores
of exempt students from scores of the other students.
Footnotes:
1 Source: PEER Project Survey to expand and update information from Annual Survey of State Student Assessment Programs: Data on 1995-96 Statewide Student Assessment Programs. (Fall 1996). Council of Chief State School Officers.
2 Source: PEER Project review of state policy documents. Documents provided by the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO). Information confirmed and updated by the PEER Project through direct communication with state officials.
3 NOTE: The IDEA Amendments of 1997 require that all students be included in statewide assessments.
Maryland Department of Education
Division of Special Education
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-767-0238
410-333-8165 Fax
www.msde.state.md.us
Contact: Carol Ann Baglin, Assistant Superintendent
cbaglin@msde.state.md.us
William Shaefer, State Assessment Directory
410-767-0081, Fax: 410-767-0081
Maryland Parent Center on Disability
Parents Place of Maryland, Inc.
7257 Parkway Drive, Suite 210
Hanover, MD 21076-1306
410-712-0900 Voice & TDD
410-712-0902 Fax
parplace@aol.com
www.somerset.net/ParentsPlace
Contact: Josie Thomas