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updated 1/21/10 ... sam

MHSA Science Tests

The 2010 MHSA Science Tests must be administered during a 2-week window which begins Monday, March 29 and closes Friday, April 9, 2010.

Letter #061, Spring 2009 Maine High School Assessment (MHSA)/SAT Initiative Updates [02/06/2009]

 

2009 Principal and Coordinator Manual - PDF

2009 Test Administration Manual - PDF

2009 MHSA Administrative Workshop PowerPoint

Adobe Content Online Presentation*- Audio/video recording of the web conference hosted on March 18, 2009.

 

Mathematics Augmentation (Math-A)

The MHSA tests will measure the new 2007 Maine Learning Results for the first time this spring. Because of this change, the design of the 2009 mathematics augmentation (Math-A)  test will reflect these slightly different expectations. Continuing to be measured on the Math-A are the topics of basic trigonometry, random sampling and compound probability. In addition to those topics, the ideas and understandings around precision and accuracy, correlation/cause and effect, and logarithms will also be measured on the 2009 math augment.

In total, there will be 12 common, multiple-choice items measuring the topics addressed above and 6, form specific, (non-counting) field test questions. This 18 question Math-A test will be administered during a 30-minute time frame. Some practice questions measuring these 2009 topics can be accessed at the following link:  

2009 Math-A Practice Items - PDF

 

Please remember that the results from the 12-point 2009 Math-A test will be combined with the 54 regular SAT mathematics items to determine a student’s final MHSA mathematics score.    

2008 Released Items from Mathematics Augmentation - PDF

2007 Sample Items - PDF

Released Items from 2007 Mathematics Augmentation - PDF

 

 

MHSA Science Tests

Maine High School Assessment (MHSA) - Science and Technology

The No Child Left Behind Act requires that states assess science this year, but not include schools’ scores in Adequate Yearly Progress determinations. Maine’s 2010 MHSA Science test will be administered during the school weeks of Monday, March 29th – Friday, April 9th. The science test will consist of 44 common items administered across two, 50 minute sessions. Of the total 44 common items, 40 are multiple-choice questions worth 1 point each and the remaining 4 questions are constructed-response items worth 4 points each. The points are distributed across the Science & Technology Standards D & E with 30% of the questions aligned to D1 and D2; 305 of the questions aligned to D3 and D4; and 40% of the questions aligned to E1, E2, E3, E4, and E5. All student and school scores will be based solely on these 56 raw score points. These common items are previously field tested items aligned to the 2007 Maine Learning Results.

In addition to the items described above that result in a student’s score, each student will take several field-test items that are embedded within the test.   Scores on field-test items are used for planning purposes only, and are not included as part of calculations or reported at the student or the school level.

The 2008 MHSA science test is a continuation of the former MEA grade 11 science tests and is a product of the Maine Department of Education and Measured Progress. The 2009 multiple choice items will continue to be “formula scored” to keep the science assessment consistent with all other components of the MHSA (SAT). Because each science multiple-choice item has 4 answer choices, formula scoring assigns a correct answer 1 point, subtracts 1/3 of a point for a wrong answer, and gives 0 points for an answer left blank. Constructed-response items are scored on a 4-point rubric and are not part of the formula scoring process.

2009 Science Resources

2009 Science Released Items NEW

2008 Science Released Items


2003 Release Science and Technology Items: 
http://www.maine.gov/education/mea/03MEAGr11_SRI_SectionA.pdf

 

* The MHSA Test Administration Workshop Web Conference presentation is in Flash format. In order to view the file, you will need to have the Adobe Flash Player loaded on your computer. Most computers already have the Flash Player installed – however, if yours does not, or if your Flash Player is in need of updating (version 6 or older), you can download the player for free from Adobe by clicking on the icon below. This is a quick and safe download.

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