Supports & Resources

TBD with NWEA Information

TBD with New Meridian Information

Parent Overview (PDF) - Pages 1 - 4 of this document provides a parent overview explaining the MSAA. Each section thereafter breaks down grade level information for each content area of the assessment. Webinar Qs and A (PDF) Common questions asked by TAs. Participation Flow Chart (PDF) Use this flow chart to help determine whether a student should participate in the MSAA. Writing Rubrics provide grade level rubrics for Tier 2 and Tier 3 expectations

• Grade 3 (PDF)


• Grade 4(PDF)


• Grade 5 (PDF)


• Grade 6 (PDF)


• Grade 7 (PDF)


• Grade 8 (PDF)


• Grade 11 (PDF) 
  National Center and State Collaborative Wiki This web site will soon convert to MSAA. It offers a set of training materials to introduce NCSC content and instructional resources. Content modules and curriculum guides useful for teaching grade level content areas being assessed are available.
  • Learning Progressions Frameworks (LPF) provide progress indicators for content grade spans.
  • Graduated Understandings promote strategies toward understanding and teaching proficiency standards.
  • Instructional Families are grouped into LPF strands which reference proficiency standards.
  • Element Cards assist in developing instructional lessons.
  • Core Content Connectors provide grade level learning targets associated with proficiency standards.
  • Mathematics Activities for Scripted Systematic Instruction (MASSIs) and Language Arts Sample Systematic Instruction Script (LASSIs) provide evidence-based systematic instruction, complete with scripted instruction, teaching materials, a list of all other materials needed, worksheets, and options to monitor progress.
  MSAA Constructed Writing Responses (DOC) These tips provide how to decide if a student should keyboard their own answers, the difference between transcriber and scribe entry and when to provide annotations. CCC Crosswalks - Assist in providing the alignment of grade level CCCs to the Maine Learning Results. These crosswalks provide the Focal Knowledge, Skill and Ability (FKSA) and Essential Understanding for each relevant standard.
  • Grades 3-6 Math (PDF)
  • Mathematics Grades 7, 8, 11 (PDF)
  • Reading Grades 3-6 (PDF)
  • Reading Grades 7, 8, 11 (PDF)
  • Writing Grades 3 - 11 (PDF)
  Student Response Check (SRC) Practice (DOC): This SRC Practice sheet can assist in developing student responses for students with non-verbal communication. It will also assist with administering the Student Response Check within the MSAA system.
• 2019-20 One Percent Support Webinar

Maine Alternate Assessment Guidelines (PDF, 203KB). This document provides the criteria to determine if a student should participate in an alternate assessment.

2019-20 One Percent Support Webinar Science Alternate Extended

Performance Expectations (EPEs) - Elementary Science Alternate

Extended Performance Expectations (EPEs) - Middle School Science

Alternate Extended Performance Expectations (EPEs) - High School

ACCESS for ELLs Parent FAQ

English language development standards

Arabic (PDF, 76KB)

Chinese (PDF, 137KB)

English (PDF, 82KB)

French (PDF, 116KB)

Khmer (PDF, 88KB)

Kinyarwanda (83KB)

Portuguese (PDF, 83KB)

Russian (PDF, 96KB)

Somali (PDF, 84KB)

Spanish (PDF, 82KB)

Vietnamese (PDF, 290KB)

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

NAEP Questions Tool Data Tools - For comparisons between States and data sets for creating custom reports using NAEP's Data Explorer, Item Map and Questions Tool

Sampling Fact Sheet (PDF)

NAEP Sampling (PDF)

ISR Parent Letter Translations

2019 ISR Webinar

View 2019 ISR Webinar 2019 ISR Student Report Webinar Slides (PDF)

MEA Assessment Letter to Parents Spring 2020

Alternate Assessment Family Flyer

Electronic Distribution of ISR through School Messenger

Section 1111(b)(2)(B) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 requires the same assessment be used to measure the achievement of all public elementary and secondary school students in the state.

Section 1111(b)(2)(B) Requirements: The assessments under subparagraph (A) shall - (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (D), be
(I) The same academic assessments used to measure the achievement of all public elementary school and secondary school students in the State; And (II) Administered to all public elementary school and secondary school students in the State;

Section 1111(c)(4)(E) of ESSA indicates: (E) Annual Assessment of Achievement - (i) Annually measure the achievement of not less than 95 percent of all students, and 95 of all students in each subgroup of students, who are enrolled in public schools on the assessments described under subsection (b)(2)(v)(I). (ii)For the purpose of measuring, calculating and reporting on the indicator described in subparagraph (B)(i), include in the denominator the greater of
(I) 95 percent of all students, or 95 percent of all such students in the subgroup, as the case may be; or (II) The number of students participating in the assessments (III) Provide a clear and understandable explanation of how the State will factor the requirement of clause (i) of this subparagraph into the statewide accountability system.

Federal statute requires that parents receive a notification indicating their right to request the districts policies and procedures regarding student participation in state and local assessments. When this information is requested, the district will provide all applicable information to families. The district should be prepared to provide families with their assessment related policies and procedures, this would include an non-participation (opt-out) procedure if the district and school has such a procedure in place.

Section 1112(e)(2)(A) of ESSA indicates: (2) Testing transparency
(A) In general At the beginning of each school year, a local educational agency that receives funds under this part shall notify the parents of each student attending any school receiving funds under this part that the parents may request, and the local educational agency will provide the parents on request (and in a timely manner), information regarding any State or local educational agency policy regarding student participation in any assessments mandated by Section 1111(b)(2) and by the State or local education agency, which shall include a policy, procedure, or parental right to opt the child out of such assessment, where applicable.