High School Assessments

The Alternate Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (Alt-MISA) is designed for students in grades 5, 8, and 11. The assessment is given to students with significant cognitive disabilities for whom the general education science assessment (MISA) is not appropriate, even with accommodations. The online test is based on alternate achievement standards derived from and aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

The Bridge Plan for Academic Validation provides a process that helps ensure all students have a fair opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills if traditional assessments are not effective measures for them. The process provides remediation and a path to graduation that is meaningful, rigorous, and clearly tied to state standards. High school students unable to pass a state assessment may participate in the Bridge Plan for Academic Validation process and shall be provided at least one opportunity to retake the assessment. The Bridge Plan for Academic Validation involves students completing a set of projects determined by assessment results.

The American Government High School Assessment (HSA) tests content knowledge in Government and is an end-of-course exam. The American Government test consists of selected response, constructed response (written response), and technology enhanced items. The assessment is aligned with the American Government Standards and Framework as outlined by the Maryland State Department of Education.

The Alternate English Language Arts and Alternate Mathematics (Alt-ELA/Alt-Mathematics) assessments are administered to students in grade 11 with significant cognitive disabilities. The assessment is based on alternate achievement standards aligned with the Maryland College and Career-Ready Standards (MCCRS).

The High School Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (HS MISA) is given to high school students to test content knowledge and skills in Biology at the end of the course. The assessment is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

The English Language Arts and Literacy & Mathematics assessments are given to students in grades 3 through 8 and high school. In high school, the English Language Arts and Literacy and Algebra 1 assessments will be given at the end of the English 10 and Algebra 1 courses, respectively. The assessments are aligned with the Maryland College and Career-Ready Standards (MCCRS). For the English Language Arts and Literacy assessment, students demonstrate their reading comprehension through written responses as well as demonstrating their knowledge of the conventions of English. For mathematics, students solve multi-step problems that require reasoning and address real-world situations.