CCPS offers a rigorous curriculum to challenge students and help them reach their full potential. We follow various state and federal guidelines for testing student achievement.
High School Assessment Testing
HSAs measure school and individual student progress toward Maryland’s High School Core Learning Goals. Passing the HSA is a graduation requirement.
HSA Resources
PARCC Testing
The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) is a 22-state partnership to develop assessments that measure progress toward academic standards. PARCC testing is administered to students in grades 3 – 8. The tests measure proficiency in English Language Arts / Literacy and Mathematics.
Maryland School Assessments (MSA)
The Maryland School Assessment (MSA) is a test of reading and math achievement that meets testing requirements for the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The test is administered each year in early March to students in grades 3 – 8. Science tests are administered in April or early-May.
Alt-MSA
The Alternative Maryland School Assessment (Alt-MSA) is Maryland’s assessment program for students with significant cognitive disabilities. It measures a student’s progress toward Mastery Objectives in reading and mathematics in grades 3 – 8 and 10. It also measures science in grades 5, 8, and 10.
Alt-MSA Resources
College & Career Readiness Testing
Accuplacer Test
The Accuplacer Test is a placement test used by community colleges, four-year colleges, and technical schools around the world. This nationally-normed test provides fast, accurate assessment of an incoming college students’ ability to access college freshman coursework. It also identifies students who need remedial coursework.
AP Tests
The Advanced Placement Exams (AP) are given in May at both North Caroline High and Colonel Richardson High Schools. Students who take AP courses are expected to take AP exams. Over 400 college institutions may grant college credit to students who earn a qualifying score of 3, 4, or 5.
Pre-SAT
The Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) gives students the opportunity to practice for the SAT I. The PSAT allows the student to find information about various colleges and enter scholarship competitions. Caroline County administers the PSAT to all 10th graders at no cost to the students. Eleventh grade students, who elect to take the PSAT by paying the required testing fee and score well, may be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship. Students who take the PSAT are provided access to the College Board’s Big Future program that indicates AP testing potential and allows them to search for colleges and prepare for the SAT.
SAT
The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) consists of two different tests, the SAT I and the SAT II. The SAT I measures a student’s critical reading, mathematics and writing skills. It is used to assess the student’s readiness for college level work. Caroline County administers the SAT I to all 11th graders at no cost to the students. The SAT II is designed to measure a student’s knowledge in a specific subject and his/her ability to apply that knowledge. SAT II tests are available in areas such as literature, sciences, languages, math and history. Students should check with the college of their choice to determine which entrance exam is required by that institution. If a student qualifies for the free and reduced lunch program his/her qualifies for two free SAT tests beginning in 11th grade and four (4) free college applications.
ACT
The American College Test (ACT) is a widely accepted college entrance exam. It assesses high school students’ general educational development and their ability to complete college level work. The multiple-choice tests cover four skill areas: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The Writing Test, which is optional, measures skills in planning and writing a short essay. Students should check with the college of their choice to determine which entrance exam is required by the institution. If a student qualifies for the free and reduced lunch program he/she qualifies for two free tests beginning in 11th grade.
Career & Technology Education Assessments
CTE students will have the opportunity to earn state-issued professional licenses, full industry certification or pathway industry certification by participating in various industry assessments.
ASVAB
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test is given to all juniors every year. The ASVAB is a comprehensive aptitude test and it is given, free of charge, to all juniors in our school system. An aptitude is the capability a student has developed through experience or education that indicates his/her current readiness to become proficient in a certain type of activity, given the opportunity to do so. The instrument provides comparative scores for verbal, math, science, and technical areas which are comparable to SAT results. A Department of Defense employee administers the test but the scores are not given to military recruiters unless the student gives permission. This is an excellent tool to use as students finalize his/her career choices.
PowerSchool
PowerSchool Student Information System (SIS) is a data system covering administrative needs in our school system such as scheduling, grades, attendance, state compliance reporting, data management, faculty management, emergency/medical and health management, registration, special program enrollments, graduation requirements, communication with students and parents, rostering for third-party instructional software and more. For teachers, PowerSchool provides an industry-leading gradebook, PowerTeacher Pro. PowerSchool users enjoy a fully web-based SIS system that is flexible, configurable, and scalable with real-time updates on any operating system, browser or device.
Contacts
Lindsey McCormick
Supervisor of Accountability & Student Data
410.479.3054 x1129 | [email protected]
Cheryl Lawrence
Technology Coordinator / PowerSchool Administrator
410.479.2896 x151 | [email protected]