COMMISSION TO REVIEW MARYLAND'S USE OF ASSESSMENTS & TESTING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Christopher Scott Berry, Chair (chosen by Governor)

[photo, Nancy S. Grasmick State Education Building, 200 West Baltimore St., Baltimore, Maryland] Appointed by Governor: Larry A. Bowers; Alohaa Chin; Leon Frison; Laurie S. Halverson; Julie K. Hummer; Nathaniel Malkus; Laura Potter; Karen Prengaman; Andrew Richard Smarick; Janet S. Wilson, Ph.D.

Appointed by Senate President: Nancy J. King; Paul G. Pinsky.

Appointed by House Speaker: Eric D. Ebersole; Shelly L. Hettleman.

Appointed by President, State Board of Education: Guffrie M. Smith, Jr.

Ex officio: Mark A. Newgent, designee of Governor; Karen B. Salmon, Ph.D., State Superintendent of Schools.

Nancy S. Grasmick State Education Building, 200 West Baltimore St., Baltimore, Maryland, March 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Staff: vacancy

c/o Division of Curriculum, Research, Assessment, & Accountability
State Department of Education
Nancy S. Grasmick State Education Building, 200 West Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2595
(410) 767-0316
web: http://archives.marylandpublicschools.org/commissiononassessments/index.html

In June 2015, the Commission to Review Maryland's Use of Assessments and Testing in Public Schools was authorized (Chapter 421, Acts of 2015).

The Commission surveyed and evaluated the time spent in each grade and each school on administering State, local and federal mandated assessments or tests, and determined whether some were duplicative or otherwise unnecessary. It reviewed and analyzed the local school systems' and Department's interests in requiring assessments and tried to develop a statewide approach to their administration. The Commission also determined whether testing schedules had any negative ancillary effects on instruction, materials and equipment use, and school calendars; and whether enough time is allotted between test administration and results to inform instruction. Moreover, the Commission considered whether changes to the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) would allow for more flexibility in administering assessments.

The Commission also recommended ways to improve the administration of tests and how they are used to inform instruction. To ensure that adequate time is allotted to both administer them and provide instruction, the Commission recommended methods to increase the time allotted for teaching. Recommendations were to ensure that student achievement could be compared across local school systems, the State, and the nation.

In July 2016, the Commission submitted its report to the General Assembly, the State Board of Education, and the county boards of education.

Authorization for the Commission ended May 31, 2017.

Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
Maryland Departments
Maryland Independent Agencies
Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards
Maryland Universities & Colleges
Maryland Counties
Maryland Municipalities
Maryland at a Glance

Maryland Manual On-Line

Search the Manual
e-mail: mdmanual@maryland.gov


This web site is presented for reference purposes under the doctrine of fair use. When this material is used, in whole or in part, proper citation and credit must be attributed to the Maryland State Archives. PLEASE NOTE: The site may contain material from other sources which may be under copyright. Rights assessment, and full originating source citation, is the responsibility of the user.

Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!

[ Archives' Home Page  ||  Maryland Manual On-Line  ||  Reference & Research
||  Search the Archives   ||  Education & Outreach  ||  Archives of Maryland Online ]

Governor     General Assembly    Judiciary     Maryland.Gov

© Copyright March 14, 2022 Maryland State Archives