Skip First Level Navigation | Skip All Navigation

MeCAS > MHSA

MAINE HIGH SCHOOL ASSESSMENT (including The Maine SAT Initiative)

mhsa graphic

 

Beginning with the spring administration in 2006, all Maine high school juniors, including all students in their 3rd year of high school, will be required to take SAT tests in critical reading, writing, and mathematics. This new policy encourages all Maine students to engage in instruction and assessment that is intended to raise expectations and to increase readiness for college or other post secondary opportunities; is consistent with the high expectations for student achievement expressed in Maine’s Learning Results; and supports the emerging PreK-16 College Ready Initiative already underway as a joint effort of the University System and the Maine Department of Education. These initiatives are essential to ensure that Maine students are as well prepared as possible to succeed in our increasingly complex state, national and world economy.

 

The MHSA SAT administration date for the 2008-’09 school year is Saturday, May 2, 2009. 

The Math-A (augmentation) and MHSA Science Tests must be administered during a 2- week window which begins Monday, March 30st and closes Friday, April 10, 2009.

 

A program of preparation and assessment that includes both Preliminary SAT (PSAT) and SAT tests is being made available to all Maine students. Students will receive standard SAT reports and official scores that they may use as they apply to colleges both in Maine and nationally. All colleges using SAT results in their admission process will accept the scores. In addition to the student reports, school administrative units will receive reports of student performance necessary to meet state and federal requirements.
The SAT is seen by a majority of students as their passport for the next step toward adulthood, so the motivation to do well is very high. The College Board SAT tests are a fair measure of our Learning Results expectations and therefore the performance results produced will provide a fair reflection of our students’ achievement of Maine’s rigorous Learning Results expectations. The continuing challenge for all of us is to implement effective strategies, such as using the SAT as Maine’s high school assessment, that raise expectations for all students, and prepare them for success.

Changing the MHSA Score Scale from the Traditional 200-800 College Board Scale to the 1100 -1180 Maine Comprehensive Assessment Scale - PDF