Maryland's education system is on the brink of a significant change as the state prepares to release the latest scores from the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) on Tuesday. This marks the end of the MCAP era, which has faced criticism from educators for being excessively lengthy and challenging.
The upcoming standardized test, known as MSTAR (Maryland System of Testing Academic Readiness), is set to be approximately 25% shorter than its predecessor. Starting next year, students in grades three through eight will participate in three math sessions lasting 40 minutes each and three English language arts sessions that will last 70 minutes each. In contrast, the MCAP required four sessions for both subjects.
However, the transition to MSTAR means that it may take until spring 2028 to accurately assess student progress, as reliable comparative data will not be available until two years of scores are collected.
The MSTAR test is designed to reflect updated educational standards, particularly in English language arts, where a phonics-based approach will be emphasized. Additionally, significant modifications are being made to the mathematics curriculum across the state.
Historically, Maryland students have struggled with the math component of the MCAP, achieving an average pass rate of only 27% in 2025. This low proficiency rate is attributed in part to the higher difficulty of the MCAP math test compared to assessments in other states.
Tim Guy, assistant state superintendent of assessment and accountability, acknowledged that expectations may have been set too high under the previous testing format.
Future testing will also see changes in social studies and science assessments beginning in the 2027-28 school year, while high school math tests will not be updated until the 2028-29 school year, following a complete overhaul of the math curriculum.
MSTAR will utilize a new adaptive testing format, allowing questions to adjust in difficulty based on a student's responses. This approach aims to provide a clearer picture of individual student performance and areas needing improvement.
Parents will have access to their child's MSTAR results through an online portal by the end of June, coinciding with the release of scores to schools. The federal government mandates regular testing, and Maryland's testing program has evolved through various iterations, with the latest version initially set to launch in 2020 but delayed due to the pandemic.
While some educators have expressed concerns about the disruptive nature of changing tests, MSTAR is contracted for a five-year period, with the possibility of extension for an additional three years.
Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).
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