Accommodations for all assessments are available based on student IEP, 504 or ELL plans.
State Assessments Given in KCPS
AP: Advanced Placement Tests
These tests are administered to students in AP courses to earn advanced standing or credit at most colleges and universities.
• Given in May
• For high school students enrolled in AP courses
Early Learning Assessment (ELA) (State)
The Early Learning Assessment allows early childhood teachers to collect and use information to tailor instruction to the individual needs of each child. It assesses seven domains of school readiness for children between the ages of 3 and 5 years old.
• Given in November, January, March and June
• For prekindergarten students
Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) (State/Federal Assessment)
The KRA is used to determine what a kindergarten student knows and is able to do based on the pre-K standards in language and literacy, mathematics, physical well-being and motor development and social foundations.
• Given throughout September and October
• For kindergarteners
Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) (State/Federal assessment)
MCAP English Language Arts and Mathematics
The MCAP assessments measure student achievement on the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards in grades 3 to 8 for English language arts and math, 10th-grade English and students taking Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry.
• Given in April or May for grades 3-11
• Given in high school in December or January for semester 1 students and April or May for semester 2 students
MCAP Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA)
Measures student achievement on the Maryland Content Standards in science in grade 5 (testing content from grades 3, 4 and 5), grade 8 (testing content from grades 6, 7 and 8) and high school (testing contest in life science/biology). The high school assessment is one of the four tests required in Maryland for graduation.
• Given in March for grades 5 and 8
• Given to high school students when enrolled in biology, December or January for semester 1 and April or May for semester 2
MCAP Social Studies for grade 8
Measures student knowledge of United States history from 1763 to 1890. In addition, the test measures the student's ability to evaluate the credibility of sources, identify credible and relevant information in sources and construct arguments using claims and evidence from multiple sources.
• Given in May or June
• Grade 8
MCAP American Government — High School
This is an end-of-course assessment that measures progress toward Maryland’s High School Core Learning Goals (CLGs) in American Government. High school students enrolled in government must take the assessment at the completion of the course as part of the graduation requirements.
• Given in high school when enrolled in the course, December or January for semester 1 students and April or May for semester 2 students
• High school (typically grade 10)
MCAP – Alternate Assessments (State/Federal Assessment)
Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) – Science (ALT-MISA)
An assessment designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities who, even with accommodations, are unable to participate in the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA). The Alt-MISA measures a student’s science achievement in grades 5, 8 and 11.
• Given March-May
• For grades 5, 8 and 11
Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) – ELA and Mathematics
An assessment designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities who, even with accommodations, are unable to participate in the MCAP Assessments. The DLM measures a student’s achievement in English language arts and mathematics in grades 3 to 8 and 11.
• Given March-May
• For grades 3-8 and 11
Additional Tests
PSAT: Preliminary SAT (State)
The PSAT is published by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). The test provides a practice opportunity for the SAT. Kent County Public Schools contracts with the College Board to test all students in grade 10.
• Given in October or March, as decided by Kent County High School
• For grades 9 and 10
SAT (State)
The SAT assesses student academic readiness for college and is used for admission by colleges and universities. It tests knowledge of critical reading, writing and mathematics.
• Given in March
• For grades 11 and 12
WIDA ACCESS (State/Federal Assessment)
The assessments measure students’ academic English language in four domains: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
• Given January through February
• For students in kindergarten through 12th grade identified as English language learners