MSAA

Overview of the 1% and Alternate Assessment Training Video:

In this training, the DOE 1% Team reviews federal legislation related to alternate assessment participation, provides the alternate assessment calendar for SY 22-23, and shares important information related to Maine's alternate assessments based on alternate academic achievement standards (AA-AAAS).

Overview of the 1% and Alternate Assessment Training PDF

Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (AAS) Webinar - This webinar provides an overview of Maine's AAS, how these are implemented in the design of alternate assessments for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, alignment to Maine's grade level content standards, and the role of AAS in IEP goals and objectives.

Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (AAS) PDF

 Core Content Connectors  The CCCs are derived from the Common Core State Standards and aligned to the Maine Learning Results and are Maine's alternate academic achievement standards (AAAS) in ELA/literacy and mathematics. These AAAS are more accessible steps, reduced in breadth and complexity, for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Maine's alternate assessments, the MSAA, are designed based on these standards.

Core Content Connectors in ELA/Literacy

Core Content Connectors in Math

Extended Performance Expectations

The EPEs are derived from the Performance Expectations contained in the Next Generation Science Standards, and are Maine's alternate academic achievement standards (AAAS) in science. These AAAS are more accessible steps, reduced in breadth and complexity, for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Maine's alternate assessment, the MSAA Science, is designed based on these standards.

Extended Performance Expectations in the Elementary Grades

Extended Performance Expectations in the Middle School

Extended Performance Expectations in the High School

Resources for Determining Eligibility

These resources are designed to support IEP teams in making data-driven decisions about eligibility and participation in the alternate assessments.

Participation Decision Flowchart

2023 Test Administration Manual - This manual outlines the process for administration of the MSAA and MSAA Science.

2023 Test Administrator User Guide – This guide contains practical information and visual supports to help test administrators navigate the MSAA and MSAA System.

2023 Test Coordinator User Guide – This guide contains practical information and visual supports to help test coordinators navigate the MSAA and MSAA System.

Maine MSAA Training Presentation Slides (March 2021)-This archived resource includes the slide deck from the 2021 MSAA & MSAA Science test administrator training.

The MSAA and MSAA Science platform requires a Test Security Agreement upon initial login each year by TAs and TCs, before assessment trainings and student tests can be accessed.  Please read the agreement carefully.  

No additional Test Security Agreement is required for alternate assessments administration beyond that which is provided in the MSAA platform.

Technical assistance for Local Educational Agencies (in Maine, SAUs) around the state-required assessments is a federal requirement for all State Education Agencies (SEA). The SEA is required in statute to establish a system of statewide content assessments as well to provide technical assistance to the local districts in the administration of these assessments to ensure that student results are valid and reliable. In Maine, one of the ways the Assessment Team provides technical assistance is in the form of assessment observations. 

Maine SAUs are encouraged to reach out to the Assessment Team if they have specific technical needs around state assessments.  Assessment Team Technical Assistance/Professional Learning Request Form (office.com)

Report Download Instructions: Step-by-step guide for Maine SAUs and Assessment Coordinators about how to download district, school and student reports for the MSAA.

Understanding and Utilizing MSAA Score Reports (16:55) - This recorded presentation provides a short and thorough overview of the different report resources available at the district, school and student levels. Please enable the "Play Narration" function when beginning the slideshow.

Score Report Interpretation Guide: A detailed guide to various MSAA score reports available at the district, school and student levels, including writing rubrics and performance level descriptors.

MSAA Science Standard Setting Update

MSAA Parent Guides by Grade Level:  This overview of the MSAA System includes information about alternate assessment, the importance of academic instruction, potential instructional supports, and ways to collaborate with your child's teachers. Please note, Spring 2023 Parent Overviews have not yet been released.