In order to fulfill requirements of the No Child Left
Behind Act (NCLB), recent changes have been made to Maryland’s
accountability system. The cornerstone of Maryland’s accountability
system is Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). It replaces the School Performance
Index as the method by which Maryland tracks academic progress and
makes accountability decisions. Schools, school systems, and the state
must show that students are making AYP in reading, math, and another
measure. In elementary and middle schools, the additional measure
is attendance. In high schools, it is graduation rate. AYP is determined
by performance levels on the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) in reading
and math in eight subgroups. These subgroups include African American,
American Indian, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, White, students
with limited English proficiency, students receiving special education
services, and economically disadvantaged students. For a very small
number of students with profound disabilities, student progress in
reading and math is measured by the Alternate Maryland Assessment
(ALT-MSA).
