Defintion

Standards are measures of performance against which yearly results are compared. Standards help to examine critical aspects of instructional programs; help to ensure that all students receive quality instruction; hold educators accountable for quality instruction; and help to guide efforts toward school improvement.

Maryland School Performance Program (MSPP) performance standards were determined through deliberative processes by educators with involvement of critical stakeholders such as the legislators and members of the business community. The State Board of Education adopted all standards.

The purpose of the MSPP standards is to:

• provide statewide equity and quality assurance in terms of student outcomes;
• establish a mechanism for instructional accountability useful to schools, school systems, and the state;
• stimulate self-examination and appropriate action by local district staff and the Maryland State Department of Education; and
• set improvement expectations that guide school and school system objectives, decision, and efforts.

Maryland MSA standards are divided into three levels of achievement:

• Advanced is a highly challenging and exemplary level of achievement indicating outstanding accomplishment in meeting the needs of students.
• Proficient is a realistic and rigorous level of achievement indicating proficiency in meeting the needs of students.
• Basic is a level of achievement indicating that more work is needed to attain proficiency in meeting the needs of students.

MSA Performance Level Descriptors

Reading 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8
English
Mathematics 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8
Algebra / Data Analysis
Science 5 • 8
Biology

Other Performance Level Standards

Performance Level Standards for ALT-MSA
Performance Level Standards for MOD-MSA

Standards for the MFTs, Attendance Rate, and Dropout Rate were adopted in 1990.