ASSESSMENTS

The Clerc Center operates two accredited demonstration schools on its campus in Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES) and the Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD). Both schools are mandated by  Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to adhere to statewide academic standards and to participate in annual statewide assessments. However, the Clerc Center is a Federal program and does not report to a state-level department of education.

Read our 2017-2018 report card: 

• MSSD   

Student Assessments

Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP)

MCAP’s summative English language arts/literacy tests are available in grades 3-8 and high school. The assessments include a performance-based component with longer questions that usually require multiple steps. It measures critical thinking, reasoning and the ability to apply skills and knowledge in reading, writing and mathematics.

• English language arts/literacy – Students read and analyze passages from real texts — fiction and non-fiction, and sometimes watch video or listen to audio. They write, using what they have learned from the passages and multi-media to support their arguments. These skills are critically important for students in college and in the workplace. PARCC measures writing at every grade because it is key to showing readiness for the next academic work, and in high school, readiness for college and career.
• Mathematics – Students solve multi-step math problems that require reasoning and address real-world situations. This requires students to reason mathematically, make sense of quantities and their relationships to solve real-world problems, and show their understanding. Many previous assessments focused mostly on rote procedure only.

Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)

MAP is a computer adaptive assessment which is aligned with the Common Core State Standards in English Reading, Language Usage, and Mathematics.  These assessments adapt according to student responses and measure individual progress or growth during the school year. This norm-referenced assessment is based on a continuum of skills in content areas from low skill levels to high skill levels. This assessment helps teachers identify the instructional and independent levels of the student and establish accurate target instruction based on students’ strengths and needs. MAP’s English Reading assessment will also measure the student’s text difficulty and determine their Lexile Range score. The Lexile scale helps teachers generate appropriate reading materials or the student.

Science – Maryland Integrated Science Assessments (MISA) Assessment

Students at the Clerc Center will participate with Maryland students in taking the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) in science grades 5, 8, and high school.

Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA)

The Multi State Alternate Assessment (MSAA) is also offered in grades 3-8 and 11 for students in with the most significant cognitive disabilities who are unable to participate in the PARCC assessment, even with accommodations. The alternate assessment is based on alternate achievement standards (AA-AAS) in English language arts and mathematics.

The Alternate Maryland School Assessment – Science (Alt-MSA) is offered in grades 5, 8, and 10 for students with significant cognitive disabilities who are unable to participate in the Maryland School Assessment in science, even with accommodations.

ACT Testing

The ACT is a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. This test covers four academic skill areas: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science Reasoning. It also offers an optional essay writing test. MSSD students in their junior and senior years are encouraged to take the ACT if they are considering college. MSSD offer students in their junior year to take the ACT test for free.  MSSD administer the ACT test four times a year. Please view this document with the 2019-2020 ACT test dates at MSSD. The fees will be announced soon.

 To register for the test, the students should register with MSSD’s Assessment Coordinator. Students who do not have testing accommodations in their IEPs should register for Arranged Testing test dates. Students who have testing accommodations in their IEPs, such as extended testing time, should register for Special Testing test dates.

Maria Brecheen

MSSD Assessment Coordinator

Maria.Brecheen@gallaudet.edu

202-250-2459 (VP/VRS)

How Do the New Assessments Differ from the Old Assessments

The new assessments are designed to measure the full range of the CCSS, NGSS and full continuum of student abilities, including the performance of high and low performing students. The MCAP assessments will test writing skills at every grade level and critical thinking and problem-solving skills in an in-depth manner. The assessments feature  a mix of items–short answer, longer open response questions, richer multiple-choice items, as well as technology-enhanced items, to better reflect the full range of content and skills found in the CCSS. The  computer-based assessments will produce timely snapshots of student knowledge, giving parents and students richer information, and teachers the opportunity to adjust instruction to better support student learning. Not only that, many of the newer tests now include  ASL videos  signing the test questions for greater equity.