Maine Science Assessment

Overview

What is assessed?

Maine Science and Engineering Standards (i.e., the Next Generation Science Standards)
The assessment focuses on performance level expectations based on three-dimensional learning that incorporates science & engineering practices and cross-cutting concepts with disciplinary core ideas.

Who participates in the Maine Science Assessment?

Students in grades 5, 8, and 3^rd year of high school

What is the format of the assessment?

Online (Paper-based forms are available as an accommodation per an IEP or 504 plan.)
Questions occur in clusters around a common problem scenario.

When is the assessment given?

High School: April 2-17, 2025
Grades 5 and 8: May 12-23, 2025
Three sessions. The 15-minute questionnaire will be removed starting in Spring 2025.

2024-25 assessment resources will be posted as they become available.

Resources

Maine Science Desk Help

855-544-0842

MEScience@adamexam.com

Click here to Self-submit a help request ticket

Support Process Steps

ME Science Zendesk: A one-stop resource for video tutorials, document downloads, request help forms, and FAQs.

Spring 2024 Manuals and Guides

Video Tutorials & Webinars

Lockdown Browser Installation Training (March 28, 2024)

Rostering & Accessibility (April 11, 2024)

Proctoring & Accessibility (April 25, 2024)

Spring 2024 Proctor Training Video - Required for ALL Proctors

Practice Assessments and Tutorials

https://adamexam.com/tester/

Questions & Answers - Updated February 7, 2024

A Tale of Three Assessments: What are the similarities and differences between the Maine Science Assessment, the multiple administrations of the Maine Through Year Assessment, and NWEA's MAP Growth assessment?

Spring 2023 Technical Report: The Spring 2023 Technical Report details the following:

Test design and development
Assessment administration
Item-level scoring
Classical item analysis
Calibration and scaling
Reliability
Score reporting
Validity
Student performance

Content

Assessment Blueprints: All items on the Maine Science Assessment are aligned to a science topic and to a specific performance expectation. To ensure ample coverage of all grade-level science topics, the blueprint specifies targets for the minimum and maximum number of operational score points aligned to each topic.

Achievement Level Descriptors: The Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs) documents are intended to be used as a guideline to describe the four levels of achievement on the Maine Science Assessment: Well Below, Below, At, and Above State Expectations. The ALDs are written to align with the Next Generation Science Standards.

Released Items: Released items are test questions that are no longer in use and have been made available to the public. The "For Student" copy resembles a test booklet. The "For Teachers" version contains the answer key, standards alignment, and rubrics for constructed-response questions.

Grade 5 Released Items: