Applied Research and Evaluation
To support the MCPS strategic priorities, Applied Research and Evaluation staff conduct comprehensive evaluations of MCPS programs and initiatives to provide quantitative and qualitative information on fidelity of programs’ or initiatives’ implementation and their outcomes through the application of scientific tools and techniques. Evaluative information serves as a decision-making tool to make any necessary changes, enhancements, and improvement to programs and initiatives. The information also can be used to justify resources expended and provide a basis for informed decisions pertaining to the future funding of MCPS programs or initiatives. Further, staff conduct rigorous research studies focused on identifying and understanding factors that influence student outcomes and perceptions of school quality, including the production of extensive research reports on academic indicators and standardized tests that support data-driven decision-making, school improvement, and academic achievement. Prediction models and monitoring tools that inform articulation and instructional decisions also are developed by the team. This team conducts analyses associated with the All In: Equity and Achievement Framework (i.e., the Evidence of Learning Framework, the Equity Accountability Model), and MCPS Data Dashboards to monitor MCPS’ strategic priorities and guide school-improvement planning. Staff also oversee the external research request process to ensure alignment to MCPS priorities and interruption to the instructional day is minimized. Surveys regarding the quality of services and supports provided by MCPS developed and distributed by this team are administered to parents and staff to provide information for continuous improvement throughout the school system. Applied Research and Evaluation staff also respond to ad-hoc requests from MCPS offices and the Board of Education to allow for continuous improvement of programs and educational supports to students.
External Research Requests and Internal Data Collection Activities
Contact Us
Applied Research and Evaluation Unit
Carver Educational Services Center
850 Hungerford Drive, Room 11
Rockville 20850
Phone: 240-740-2930
Assessment & Data Management
The Assessment and Data Management (ADM) Unit is responsible for supporting the districtwide implementation of the PowerSchool Performance Matters assessment and data analytics tool. The unit collaborates with multiple district level offices to ensure the academic and non-academic measures housed on the platform are accurate and timely. As part of this work, ADM develops and delivers ongoing professional learning to district users to assist them in using the data platform to: access and filter data by student demographics or subgroups, create online student assessments, and monitor student performance over time. In addition, the unit creates and maintains web-based resources that provide the ongoing support for district learners as school and district staff investigate real-time reports to inform instructional and strategic planning.
Contact Us
Assessment & Data Management
Carver Educational Services Center
850 Hungerford Drive, Room 11
Rockville 20850
Phone: 240-740-2930
Contact Us
Records Unit
Concord Center
7210 Hidden Creek Road
Bethesda 20817
Phone: 240-740-5270
Reporting
The reporting unit publishes Schools at a Glance, Special Education at a Glance, and School Safety and Security at a Glance on an annual basis.
Reporting is also responsible for submitting required data collections to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), as well as the United States Department of Education (USDE).
The unit provides support to school recordkeepers and responds to data requests from school and office staff, as well as from outside the system. Reporting also monitors data entered into the student system to ensure accuracy.
Contact Us
Reporting Unit
Carver Educational Services Center
850 Hungerford Drive, Room 11
Rockville 20850
Phone: 240-740-2930
Testing
The Testing Unit implements a comprehensive program of student assessment including all parts of the state-mandated testing program. Additionally, OSA contributes to MCPS accountability for student performance by analyzing and reporting results from the SAT, Advanced Placement Tests, and other measures of student performance that are not part of the state-mandated testing program.
Trainings for School Test Coordinators 2024-2025 
Testing Calendars
- Elementary School 2024-2025 (PDF)
- AP-PR, MAP-P, MCAP, etc.
- Middle School 2024-2025 (PDF)
MAP-M, MAP-R, MCAP, etc. - High School 2024-2025 (PDF)
MAP-R, MCAP, AP, SAT, ACT, etc.
Contact Us
Testing Unit
Carver Educational Services Center
850 Hungerford Drive, Room 11
Rockville 20850
Phone: 240-740-2940