How Do I Pass and What Happens if I Don't?

Helpful Documents

Passing the HSAs

Currently all students who began 9th grade in or after 2005 are required to pass the High School Assessments in order to graduate, including students in special education, English language learners (ELLs), and students with 504 plans. For more information about high school graduation requirements, click here.

The Maryland State Board of Education is considering delaying the HSA graduation requirement only for special education, ELL, and 504 students; however, a final decision has not been made. For more information regarding the HSAs and students with special needs, click here .

There are two ways to pass the HSAs:

Students earn a passing score on all four HSA exams;

Passing Scores

English

396

Algebra/Data Analysis

412

Biology

400

Government

394

or

Students use the combined-score option, which requires that they earn at least a minimum score on all four HSAs and that their combined score be at least 1602.

Minimum Scores

English

386

Algebra/Data Analysis

402

Biology

391

Government

387

The combined-score option allows students to offset lower performance on one exam with higher performance on another. HSA scoring takes about nine weeks. Once scored, the state sends students’ scores to their school system, which, in turn, sends them to schools and to parents. State, school system, and school scores are posted on the Web at www.MdReportCard.org.

What Happens If I Don't Pass?

Students who fail an HSA exam should talk to their teacher or guidance counselor to find out how to get extra help before retaking the exam. Once a student has gotten that help, he or she can retake the exam the next time it’s given. Click for a PDF of scheduled HSA test dates through 2010. Students can retake the HSAs as many times as necessary to pass.

Testing Students with Special Needs

The Maryland State Department of Education is developing alternative assessments for students with disabilities and others who may not be able to succeed on the HSAs. State and local officials are now determining test design, content, and eligibility requirements. The Department is also considering delaying the HSA graduation requirement for students in special education, English language learners, and students with a physical or mental impairment that requires a 504 plan.

All students with disabilities—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). If you have a child with disabilities and have questions about his or her program of study or participation on state tests, contact your child’s teacher or IEP team.

Getting Extra Help

The Maryland State Department of Education has created free, online courses that you can use to help your child on the HSAs. Online courses for algebra/data analysis and government are now available! The online biology course will be added in early 2007, and English will be added in the fall of 2007. The online courses are aligned with Maryland's Core Learning Goals and Voluntary State Curriculum. For instructions on how to use the online courses, please refer to the following documents: Instructions for Parents and Students, Instructions for Teachers.

Helpful Documents

A comprehensive list of HSA publications for parents, students, educators, and administrators (including some translated into foreign languages) can be found in the Where can I get more information? section of this Web site.