About: Overview: Who takes the HSAs?
All students who entered 9th grade in or after 2005 are required to take and pass the HSAs to receive a Maryland High School Diploma, including students in special education, English language learners (ELLs), and students with 504 plans. Students may also satisfy the HSA graduation requirement by achieving the required combined score of 1208 or successfully completing the Bridge Plan for Academic Validation (see questions 20 and 21 later in this section).
Testing Students with Special Needs
All students with special needs—regardless of the test they take—are entitled to accommodations during instruction and testing. The accommodations your child needs are indicated in his or her Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Limited English Proficiency (LEP) plan. If you have a child with special needs and have questions about his or her program of study or participation on state tests, contact your child’s teacher or IEP team.
The Bridge Plan is for students who fail to meet the passing score on any one HSA at least twice. Eligible students have to meet additional local and state criteria such as satisfactory attendance, passing grades in all HSA subjects, and participation in academic remediation. Students who meet the eligibility criteria are permitted to complete an Academic Validation project that demonstrates the content and skills of each HSA they failed to pass. Students must pass the HSA tests or meet the graduation HSA requirement using one of the approved alternative options.
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