Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP)

The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) provides information to educators, parents and the public on student progress towards proficiency on the Maryland state content standards. Through a strong assessment system, stakeholders gain an understanding of how schools are performing and where assistance can be directed to support student growth and achievement.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires that states administer annual statewide assessments to all students in English Languages Arts/Literacy and Mathematics in grades 3-8 and once in high school, as well as in science once in each grade span (3-5, 6-8 and high school), and annual English language proficiency assessments in grades K-12 for all English learners. Maryland also provides Alternate Assessments written to the Alternate Standards for those students who require this accommodation. Additionally, all Maryland kindergarteners are administered the KRA to determine their readiness for kindergarten. Most assessments are a combination of Selected Response (multiple choice), Constructed Response (written response) and Technology Enhanced (drag and drop) test items.

Assessment Administration Times – 2023 – 2024

*Maryland Integrated Science Assessment. March administration for grades 5 & 8.

Notes:

• Testlet defined as a very short test or test section with just two or three test items
• Stage Adaptive defined as subsequent test sessions delivered to the student depending on performance in a previous sessions
• The Grade 3 English Language Arts/Literacy assessment will include items to assess the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards (MCCRS) Reading Foundational Skills.

Why do we have a middle school social studies assessment?

In 2017, the Maryland General Assembly amended Md. Ed. Art §7-203 Education Accountability Program. The amendment called for the creation of a middle school grade band assessment in social studies. The law states that the assessment shall be developed in collaboration with county boards, curriculum specialists, teachers, and academics with expertise in social studies education. It further defined the assessment by stating that it should, "Consist to the greatest extent possible, of criterion-referenced, performance-based tasks that require students to utilize critical and historical thinking skills and analyze primary sources."

End of Course Exams Information

Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, for students entering the ninth grade (Class of 2027), the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment for science and government will count as 20 percent of the student’s final grade in the respective high school level biology and government course. Additional information can be found at the End Of Course Exams Information page.

PARENT GUIDES