V: Maryland’s High School Assessments (HSAs) & the Bridge Plan for Academic Validation Overview

V: Maryland Graduation Requirements State credit requirement  21 specific credits State service-learning requirement  75 hours or equivalent State testing requirement  Students entering high school in the Fall 2005 and beyond must meet the testing requirement in order to graduate. There are three options for doing this Local graduation requirements  Many local school systems have additional requirements beyond the above State minimum.

V: Pass all 4 HSA tests Advanced Placement (AP)/ International Baccalaureate (IB) Modified HSAs 2.Combined-Score Option 3.Bridge Plan for Academic Validation The three options do not interface with each other. However, students can be working on more than one option at the same time. Three Options to Meet the HSA Requirement Multiple Test Attempts

V: Special Education Students Students with disabilities Are entitled to all accommodations in the student’s IEP. English Language Learners Must take into account the student’s English language proficiency level as stated on his/her ELL Plan.

V: Earn Passing Score on Each Test HSA Content AreaPassing Score Algebra/Data Analysis412 Biology400 English396 Government394

V: Combined-Score Option Earn a combined score of at least HSA Content AreaPassing Score Combined- Score Sample Algebra/Data Analysis Biology English Government Combined Total1602

V: Opportunities To Take the Test School Year AlgebraEnglishGovernmentBiology October 6 th 7 th 8 th 10th January 12 th 13 th 14 th 15 th April* 20 th 21 st 22 nd 23 rd May 18 th 19 th 20 th 21 st This is a senior’s only administration of the exams.

V: What happens if a student does not pass an HSA? Parent/guardian receives a home report Student is offered locally-administered or approved assistance Student retakes test

V: What happens if a student fails an HSA more than once? A student can be working on any of the three options at any given time:  Passing the 4 HSAs  Combined-Score Option  Bridge Plan for Academic Validation

V: Working on a Parallel Path A student can also be working on multiple options at a given time, which is called parallel path.

V: Bridge Plan for Academic Validation  Alternative means to meet HSA requirement.  Rigor is not sacrificed  Extent of a student’s Academic Validation Plan is based on the degree to which the student is not meeting the HSA passing score.  Final outcome and criteria currently being developed.

V: Value of the Bridge Plan  Helps students who have test fears and/or those who do not test well  Connects struggling students with an adult  State controls will ensure fairness and consistency

V: Eligibility Criteria HSA Test Performance Students who: Have failed an HSA content area test twice Have not achieved combined score of 1602 on the 4 HSA tests Academic Validation Project Bridge Plan Overview

V: Eligibility Criteria HSA Test Performance Substantive Project Failed an HSA content area test twice Passed the HSA-related course(s) Participated in locally- administered or approved assistance Making satisfactory progress toward graduation Academic Validation Project Bridge Plan Overview

V: Academic Validation Project Modules  Each project will cover specific content a student would be expected to know, or have mastered, for the HSA test.  Each project will be rigorous.  Each project will be accompanied with:  directions on how to assign the project,  scoring “look-fors,” and  other guides to assist in completing the assignment.

V: Bridge Project Assignment No. Projects Assigned Algebra (412 Passing) English (396 Passing) Biology (400 Passing) Government (394 Passing) 1 Project Projects Projects Projects Projects Projects ProjectsBelow 280Below 264Below 268Below 262

V: Bridge Plan for Academic Validation - Student Planner and Agreement The student, parent/guardian, and a school representative will review and sign the Student Planner and Agreement.  Summarizes student’s HSA test performance  Identifies the project(s) assigned to the student  Indentifies a completion date for project(s)  Certifies that all project work will be done by the student

V: Academic Validation Project Package Submission The student and Project Monitor will sign the Project Package Submission form which  Identifies the project(s) assigned to the student  Certifies that the project work will be done by the student The Project Package Submission form is submitted with  All projects assigned in the content area  Any IEP, 504 Plan or ELL Plan documentation

V: Review Panels School systems will convene either Local or Regional Review Panels to validate a student’s Project Package. The composition of the Review Panels will include central office staff, content teachers, and special education and/or ELL teachers, and other designated staff required for a fair review of the Project Package. Project Packages will be reviewed in accordance with MSDE guidelines and procedures.  Scoring tools will be provided by MSDE  Consistent and without bias Panel recommendations will be sent to local superintendent.

V: Local Superintendent Project Package Decisions If a project package is: APPROVEDThe student will have met the high school assessment requirement. RESUBMITThe student will receive feedback and can continue working on his/her project(s). REJECTEDThe student will receive feedback and can continue working on his/her project(s). OR The student can appeal, in writing, to the State Superintendent.

V: Role of MSDE MSDE will: Develop a bank of projects Produce project guidelines Establish scoring guides or rubrics Produce sample responses Provide comprehensive training for implementation Participate in initial review sessions of all local review panels Audit Bridge Plan submissions and decisions Report use of the Bridge Plan Conduct ongoing studies