The Maryland School Assessment in Science (MSA Science) measures higher order thinking skills, as related to the science concepts in the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum (VSC). First administered in 2007, this assessment is required for all diploma-bound students in Grades 5 and 8. MSA Science meets the requirements of the 2001 No Child Left Behind (NCLB), which mandates that students must be assessed in science a minimum of one time in elementary school and one time in middle school. In addition, NCLB requires that students be tested once during high school; the Biology High School Assessment (HSA), which is also a graduation requirement, is used for this purpose. While MSA Science and the Biology HSA are part of the state accountability program to meet the requirements of NCLB, these tests are not included as part of the measures of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). MSA Science is administered in late April to early May each year. Testing lasts for about 90 minutes per day for two consecutive school days. Although a traditional paper and pencil testing option exists, the a majority of students throughout Maryland will take this assessment online. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has worked closely with the testing vendor, Pearson, to ensure that the test is fair, valid, and reliable, regardless of whether students take the test online or not.

MSA Science is a tool used for measuring students' knowledge over several years of learning. The Grade 5 assessment measures student learning, as related to the VSC concepts from both Grades 4 and 5. The Grade 8 assessment covers the VSC concepts from Grades 6, 7, and 8. Each student receives a score on the assessment that is then categorized as being in one of three score ranges:  Basic, Proficient, or Advanced. The standards for these ranges or "cut scores" were determined by a group of Maryland educational stakeholders in late 2007. These "cut scores" remain the same from year to year. The data generated from the assessment are useful for both instructional and school improvement purposes.

For more information, contact a school counselor or visit one of the following Web sites.