MSA Test

[Anonymous]

Could someone fill me in on the MSA test. I understand that the test starts this week and that it takes place over 4 days but beyond that, I'm lost. Is this a basic standardized test (meaning that the results are used to determine general information about the progress of the schools) or is it used to measure the progress of the students individually? It seems that the kids in DS's school are very worked-up/stressed out about this test (which seems crazy to me!). But it makes me wonder, does this test "count" as part of your child's record or is it an anonymous test used to measure the school/county progress? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

It doesn't count as part of your kids record per se, but it isn't anonymous and you do get a card at some point telling you your child's scores. However, it's used to determine whether the school is meeting annual goals for academic progress.

My experience is that they get kids really worked up and often kids get skewed messages about the test. In third grade, my son (who tests well and had nothing to worry about) got very upset because he thought his beloved teacher would lose her job if he himself didn't do well. He was in tears with a stomachache and I was furious!

Now, in fifth grade, all the kids seem to think that the teachers will get money if they do well. So they are picking up messages, even if they don't do well.

I would tell your child that it's nothing to worry about, that he/she will do fine and just to relax and do his or her best, as you would for any test. Remind him/her that the outcome of the test for the school isn't his responsibility and won't affect his teachers.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for the explanation. I agree with you about reinforcing a healthy message (b/c someone at school is clearly getting the children so hyped-up over this test)!

[Anonymous]

If your child underperforms, it can be the basis for special services. My son got pull outs for reading and then was placed in supported reading and english classes in MS based in part on his MSA scores.

[Anonymous]

12:57 here. PP is absolutely right -- they do look at the MSA with regard to your individual child. In fact, my DD got a 504 plan based in part on some evidence from MSA performance.

[Anonymous]

OP, you probably already are aware but for more info on the MSA you can look here

http://www.mdreportcard.org

Click on your school district and school name and you can find a wealth of information based on the MSAs at your child's school.

Here's a link to one school at random:

http://www.mdreportcard.org/Assessments.aspx?K=150309&WDATA=School

If you click on one grade level, say 4tht grade reading, it brings up this page:

http://www.mdreportcard.org/StatDisplay.aspx?PV=1:4:15:0309:3:N:6:1:1:1:1:1:1:1:3


Scroll down to the bottom and you can find results reported by race and other subgroups for that test:

http://www.mdreportcard.org/statDisplay.aspx?PV=2:4:15:0309:3:N:6:1:1:1:1:1:1:1:3

THis is a lot more information than is typically sent home to parents by the school. Some people find it useful.