Maine Educational Assessment (MEA)
Grades 5 and 8, Science
The Maine Education Assessment (MEA), for students in grades 5 and 8, provides individual student scores reported for science.
New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP)
Grades 3-8, Reading and Math; Grades 5 and 8, Writing
The New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) provides individual student scores in reading and mathematics for all students in grades 3-8, with additional student scores in writing reported at grades 5 and 8. (As noted above, the MEA will continue to provide science scores reported at grades 5 & 8.)
Maine High School Assessment (MHSA)
Grade 11, Reading, Writing, Math, and Science
The Maine High School Assessment (MHSA), for students in grade 11, provides individual student scores reported for critical reading, mathematics, writing, and science.
Personalized Alternate Assessment Portfolio (PAAP)
Grades 2-7, 10, and 11, Reading and Math; Grades 4, 7, and 11, Writing; Grades 5, 8, and 11, Science
Designed specifically for students with significant cognitive disabilities, the Personalized Alternate Assessment Portfolio (PAAP) is the alternate to Maine’s required state assessments (NECAP, MHSA, and the PSAT/NMSQT). The PAAP is a fully implemented academic assessment that provides the basis for achievement and accountability reporting.
Pre-SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)
Grades 10 and 11, Reading, Writing, and Math
The PSAT/NMSQT, administered to all students in Maine in their second and third years of high school, is intended to help prepare students for the SAT, while also serving as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship program. While scores from the assessment are not reported for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) data, information gleaned from PSAT results is vital to educators, providing valuable diagnostic information about student learning, and informing teaching and instruction in all three content areas assessed.
ACCESS for ELLs®
ACCESS for ELLs® (Assessing Comprehension and Communications in English State to State for English Language Learners) is an English language proficiency test administered annually in Maine to all English language learners (ELLs) in kindergarten through grade 12 who have been identified as being limited English proficient (federally referred to as limited English proficient [LEP] students). ACCESS for ELLs® meets the federal requirements of assessing ELLs’ proficiency levels in the domains of speaking, listening, comprehension, reading, and writing. ACCESS for ELLs® provides reliable, valid, and useful information on the proficiency levels and progress of ELLs in acquiring academic English. ACCESS for ELLs® English language proficiency standards are aligned to Maine’s Learning Results academic content standards.
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
Since 1969, the mission of National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) has been to collect, analyze, and produce valid and reliable information about the academic performance of students in the United States in various learning areas. In 1990, the mission of NAEP was expanded to provide state-by-state results on academic achievement. The No Child Left Behind Act directs all schools receiving Title I funds to participate in NAEP assessments as needed.
