skip to main content

Family Guide to the Maryland High School Assessments

Maryland High School Assessments

The assessed courses are Algebra I, English 10, Biology, and American Government. Students must meet the assessment requirements in each course to earn a Maryland high school diploma. The assessments ensure that graduates have mastered the basic skills needed to succeed after high school. To measure student achievement of Maryland’s College and Career-Ready Standards, Maryland has implemented the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessment in English 10 and Algebra I. Because of the transition to the PARCC assessments, students who have taken the corresponding Algebra I and English 10 courses prior to the 2016-2017 school year are not required to achieve a passing score on the PARCC assessments. Maryland-designed High School Assessments (HSA) in Government and Biology will continue to be administered during and after the transition.

The skills and knowledge necessary to demonstrate understanding of each course’s content are embedded in the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) curriculum. The four courses associated with the assessments are typically taken during freshman and sophomore years.

High School Graduation Assessment Requirements

Algebra I

The following defines student tester status and the assessment requirements if they meet that status.

Status: Enrolled in Algebra I for the first time beginning in the Fall 2015

  • Requirement: Participate in PARCC Algebra I

Status: Completed Algebra I prior to the Fall of 2015

  • Requirement: Score for Algebra I PARCC or Algebra I HSA

Status: Enrolled in Algebra I after the 2015–2016 school year

  • Requirement: Pass Algebra I PARCC

English 10

Status: Enrolled in English 10 for the first time beginning in the Fall 2015

  • Requirement: Participate in PARCC English 10

Status: Completed English 10 prior to the Fall of 2015

  • Requirement: Score for English 10 PARCC or English 10 HSA

Status: Enrolled in English 10 after the 2015–2016 school year

  • Requirement: Pass English 10 PARCC

Biology

Status: Completed Biology course during or prior to the 2016-2017 school year

  • Requirement: Pass Biology HSA or participate during the 2016-2017 school year

Status: Completed Biology course after the 2016-2017 school year

  • Requirement: Participation in Integrated Science Assessment (after designated courses)

American Government

Status: Entered 9th grade prior to the 2013–2014 school year

  • Requirement: Score for Government HSA

Status: Entered 9th grade in or after the 2013–2014 school year

  • Requirement: Pass Government HSA

Passing Scores for Required High School Graduation Assessment Requirements

  • PARCC English 10 & PARCC Algebra II
  • For student enrolled in the course for the first time in the:
    • 2016-2017 school year: 725
    • 2017-2018 school year: 733
    • 2018-2019 school year: 741
    • 2019-2020 school year: 750
  • Biology HSA: 400 or participation during 2016-2017 school year
  • Government HSA: 394

* Passing scores on PARCC Algebra I and PARCC English 10 will be required beginning in 2016–2017.

Assessment Outcomes

  • The following chart lists possible outcomes after taking the required state high school assessments.

Assessed Course + Required Assessments = Outcome

  • Pass + Pass = On track to receive Maryland high school diploma
  • Pass + Fail = Assistance and re-take exam
  • Fail + Pass = Re-take course
  • Fail + Fail = Re-take course and exam

Interventions and Online Courses

Interventions and Retaking Assessments

Howard County Policy 8030 states that a student may retake a test in order to increase a test score if the student participates in an approved assistance program to strengthen areas of weakness. Students who fail a required state assessment must receive appropriate assistance before re-taking the exam. Howard County also offers a variety of interventions before and during the required state assessed courses. In addition, the school system has several different options for students to receive appropriate assistance. The chart below summarizes the interventions that are available. Contact your school counselor for additional information.

Before Course

  • Middle school interventions
  • Summer school prep course

During Course

  • Co-taught seminar courses
  • Co-teaching in general education classes
  • Tutorial classes for extra assistance and support
  • After-school intervention programs and tutoring

After Course (Appropriate Assistance)

  • Summer school
  • Mastery courses
  • After school intervention programs and tutoring
  • Saturday Bridge Academy

AP Substitute Exams for the Required Maryland State Assessments

To encourage more rigorous coursework and eliminate duplicate testing, Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) accepts scores of 3, 4, and 5 on identified Advanced Placement (AP) exams (see below) in place of passing scores on the corresponding state assessments.

Required Assessment: Algebra/Data Analysis (PARCC)

Advanced Placement exam (acceptable scores: 3, 4, 5)

  • Calculus AB
  • Calculus BC
  • Statistics

English 10 (PARCC)

Advanced Placement exam (acceptable scores: 3, 4, 5)

  • English Language
  • English Literature

Biology HSA

Advanced Placement exam (acceptable scores: 3, 4, 5)

  • Biology

Government HSA

Advanced Placement exam (acceptable scores: 3, 4, 5)

  • U.S. Government and Politics

Student Requirements

  • Take AP course and test
  • Earn acceptable score
  • Substitute acceptable AP score for the required state assessment passing score

Bridge Plan for Academic Validation

  • The Bridge Plan for Academic Validation provides eligible students an additional opportunity to meet the testing requirement that will lead to a Maryland high school diploma. Students must demonstrate defined knowledge and skills to graduate, either through the traditional testing program, which includes passing or earning the required combined score, determined by fall 2015, or the Bridge Plan program. An HCPSS student who thinks (s)he qualifies for this option is encouraged to explore the Bridge Plan for Academic Validation option with a school counselor.
  • The Bridge Plan has been approved by the Maryland State Board of Education and is included in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR).

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the HSA

Do middle school students taking high school level courses take the required state assessments?

Middle school students taking high school level courses must take the appropriate required assessments. All middle school students are required to pass any state assessment they take in middle school. Students who take and pass a required state assessment in middle school will have those scores count toward their graduation requirements.

Are English Language Learners required to take the required state assessment?

Maryland, like other states, gauges students’ progress in acquiring English fluency throughout their education. Schools enroll English Language Learners (ELL) in credit-bearing courses when it is determined they can be successful in them. ELL students will take the required state assessment when they are enrolled in the appropriate course.

How does Howard County’s instructional program prepare my child for the required state assessment?

All tested courses have the state’s Core Learning Goals embedded within the Howard County essential curriculum. The Howard County curriculum extends the Core Learning Goals to content that is beyond the core; however, all content needed for the required state assessment is contained within the essential curriculum.

What accommodations are used for students in Special Education?

Any accommodation provided in daily instruction and on classroom assessments, as documented in the student’s IEP, must also be provided on the required state assessments.

Do other students qualify for accommodations?

Maryland allows testing accommodations for students who need them. The accommodation(s) must be documented in the student’s IEP, 504 plan, or ELL plan.

When will my child take the required state assessments?

Students will take the required state assessments at the end of designated courses.

How will parents receive test results?

Parents will receive their child’s test score report from the Howard County Public School System approximately 10 weeks after the tests are administered. If additional information is requested, the parent can contact the school or the school system’s accountability coordinator.

If students fail an assessment, will they be able to retake it during the school year to ensure they graduate on time?

Most students take the state required assessments either in ninth or tenth grade. They will have the opportunity to receive extra help and retake any failed tests before graduation.

When is mandatory assistance provided?

Schools will provide appropriate assistance to students who fail an assessment. Students can retake an assessment only after they participate in appropriate assistance.

What are alternative ways to meet the state required high school graduation assessment requirements?

Within the Howard County Public School System, students have the following alternatives to passing the required state assessments:

  • Advanced Placement (AP) test substitution allows students to use an approved score on the state assessed-related AP test in place of taking the required state assessment.
  • The Combined Score Option allows students to offset a lower performance on one test with higher performance on another.
  • The Bridge Plan for Academic Validation is available for students who have been unable to pass one or more state assessments despite assistance. Students must meet three general eligibility criteria: taken and failed the test twice, participation in appropriate assistance, and satisfactory progress toward graduation. Students eligible for participation will meet with school staff to determine the projects to be included in the student’s Academic Validation Project package.