1. Understanding MSA’s and Stanford 10: Supporting Learning at Home
Harford Heights Elementary
Breeanna Becker and Beth Renwick, Staff Developers
February 2, 2012

2. Understanding MSA’s MSA FAQ’s (Math, Reading & Science)
Sample Questions
Test Taking Tips - Supporting Your Child at Home
Additional Resources
Stanford 10

3. MSA FAQ’s What is the MSA? Who takes 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

4. MSA FAQ’s (cont.) What does the MSA test? What are the test like?
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
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.

5. 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.

6. MSA Math All Grades: -Selected Response: multiple choice.
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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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 B. 14 x 5 C. 14 ÷ 5 D. 14 – 5

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Reading GRADE 1/ Primary 1 Grade 2/ Primary 2 Word Study Skills
30 minutes
Word Reading
35 minutes
Sentence Reading
40 minutes
Reading Comprehension
50 minutes
TOTAL WORKING TIME
155 MINUTES
Grade 2/ Primary 2
Word Study Skills
30 minutes
Reading Vocabulary
Reading Comprehension
50 minutes
TOTAL WORKING TIME
110 MINUTES 14

15. Mathematics Mathematics Grades 1 & 2 Math Problem-Solving 60 minutes
Math Procedures minutes
Total Testing Time minutes
Rulers are required for the Math Problem-Solving Subtest 15

16. 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

17. Additional Resources General MSA Information:
MSA Content & Sample Test Items
School, District and State Scores
Alt-MSA Information
Stanford 10

18. Important Dates MSA Reading: MSA Mathematics: MSA Science: Stanford 10
Tuesday, March 13 and Wednesday, March
MSA Mathematics:
Tuesday, March 20 and Wednesday, March 21
MSA Science:
April 16
Stanford 10
MSA Mathematics