Understanding MSA’s and Stanford 10:
Supporting Learning at Home
Harford Heights Elementary
Breeanna Becker and Beth Renwick, Staff Developers
February 2, 2012
Understanding MSA’s
• MSA FAQ’s (Math, Reading & Science)
• Sample Questions
• Test Taking Tips - Supporting Your Child at
Home
• Additional Resources
• Stanford 10
MSA FAQ’s
• What is the MSA?
The Maryland School Assessment is a reading, math and science test given
to elementary and middle school students every spring. The MSA meets
the requirement of No Child Left Behind, which requires each state to test
how well its students read and do math.
• Who takes the MSA?
– Reading 3rd – 8th Graders
– Math 3rd – 8th Graders
– Science 5th & 8th Graders only
MSA FAQ’s (cont.)
• What does the MSA test?
The MSA covers content that your child should be learning in reading,
math and science classes. The content is from Maryland’s Voluntary State
Curriculum (VSC). All public schools use either the VSC or a curriculum
that includes it. You can see the VSC and tools and resources that help
teacher implement it on www.MdK12.org.
• What are the test like?
There are four days of testing – two days for math and two days for
reading. Each test give approximately 90 minutes each day and include
multiple-choice and short written response questions. Information about
the MSA. Along with sample test questions are available on www.
Marylandpublicshools.org.
MSA FAQ’s (cont.)
• How is the MSA scored?
MSA scores are reported in terms of basic, proficient and advanced
performance.
Basic indicates that a student is not passing standards, and that more
work is needed to meet grade-level expectation.
Proficient indicates that a student is passing standards. Proficient is
considered a realistic and rigorous level of achievement.
Advanced indicates that a student is performing above standards.
Advanced is considered a highly challenging and exemplary level of
achievement.
MSA Math
• Two-day test; 90 minutes per day
• Students work independently*
All Grades:
-Selected Response: multiple
choice.
-Brief Constructed Response
(BCR): requires answers
consisting of a few short
sentences.
Grades 5 – 8:
-Extended Constructed Response:
requires an answer that will
consist of more information that
a BCR.
Grades 7 – 8:
Student-Produced Response:
Requires students to record their
answers on a grid by shading in
circles corresponding to the
numbers on the answer.
*Accommodations
MSA Reading
• Two-day test; 90 minutes per day
• Students work independently*
All Grades:
-Selected Response: multiple choice. These questions will have
four answer choices.
-Brief Constructed Response (BCR): requires answers consisting of
a few short sentences.
*Accommodations
MSA Science
• Two-day test; 90 minutes per day
• Students work independently*
Only for Grades 5th and 8th:
-Selected Response: multiple choice. These questions will have
four answer choices.
-Brief Constructed Response (BCR): requires answers consisting of
a few short sentences.
*Accommodations
Reading Sample Questions
Read this question and choose the best
answer. Then mark the space for the answer
you have chosen.
In which word does tri mean three?
A. trip
B. countries
C. tricycle
Reading Sample Questions
Choose the word or group of words that means the same, or
about the same, as the underlined word. Then mark the space
for the answer you have chosen.
The bill for our electricity arrived.
In which sentence does the word bill mean the same thing as in
the sentence above?
A. That duck has a large bill.
B. Did Maida pay this bill yet?
C. The store will bill you for this wood.
D. Congress will vote on the bill.
Math Sample Questions
Joe collects apples off of his family's apple tree. He
collects 14 apples per week. He collects apples for
5 weeks.
Which expression can be used to find the number of
apples that Joe collects?
A. 14 + 5
B. 14 x 5
C. 14 ÷ 5
D. 14 – 5
Math Sample BCR
On Monday, 32 people went to the park before noon. In the
afternoon, 24 more people came. On Tuesday, 26 people came
to the park before noon. In the afternoon, 29 more people
came.
Step A
Write a number sentence showing the relationship between the
number of people at the park on Monday and the number of
people at the park on Tuesday.
Step B
Explain why your answer is correct.
Use what you know about number relationships in your
explanation.
Use words and/or numbers in your explanation.
Stanford 10
• A test that measures student progress
toward high academic standards
• The Stanford 10 multiple-choice
assessment will help educators find
out what students know and are able
to do
• Parents will understand what their
children know and can do and how
they can help.
Reading
GRADE 1/ Primary 1
Grade 2/ Primary 2
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•
•
•
•
Word Study Skills
• 30 minutes
Word Reading
• 35 minutes
Sentence Reading
• 40 minutes
Reading Comprehension
• 50 minutes
TOTAL WORKING TIME
155 MINUTES
•
•
Word Study Skills
• 30 minutes
Reading Vocabulary
• 30 minutes
Reading Comprehension
• 50 minutes
TOTAL WORKING TIME
110 MINUTES
14
Mathematics
Mathematics
Grades 1 & 2
• Math Problem-Solving 60 minutes
• Math Procedures
40 minutes
• Total Testing Time
100 minutes
• Rulers are required for the Math
Problem-Solving Subtest
15
Test Taking Tips
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Make sure you are aware of your child’s past performance and what you
can do to supplement what is being taught.
Encourage your child to study over time rather than “cram.”
See that your child is well-rested prior to testing.
Ensure your child eats breakfast on the day of the test.
Encourage your child to listen carefully to all test-taking directions given
by the teacher and to ask questions if they are unclear.
Tell your child not to waste too much time on any one question. Students
can come back to a question later if they have time. Also, there is no
penalty for guessing.
Tell your child if they can eliminate at least one or two answers, they can
greatly increase their odds of choosing the best answer.
Encourage your child to stay focused even if other students finish early.
Talk to your child about the importance of the test but don’t overwhelm
or stress them out
Additional Resources
• General MSA Information:
www.MarylandPublicSchools.org/MSDE/testing/msa/
• MSA Content & Sample Test Items
www.MdK12.org
• School, District and State Scores
www.MdReportCard.org
• Alt-MSA Information
www.MarylandPublicSchools.org/MSDE/testing/alt_msa/
• Stanford 10
• http://pearsonassessments.com/HAIWEB/Cultures/enus/Productdetail.htm?Pid=SAT10C
Important Dates
• MSA Reading:
– Tuesday, March 13 and Wednesday, March
• MSA Mathematics:
– Tuesday, March 20 and Wednesday, March
21
• MSA Science:
– April 16
• Stanford 10
– April 16