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State board accepts Assessment and Accountability Task Force recommendations to reshape Maryland’s school‑rating system
Summary
The State Board accepted a final task‑force report recommending a simpler accountability model, clearer growth measures, a multi‑part postsecondary‑readiness indicator, and procurement changes to the state assessment. The board voted to accept the report and requested follow‑up studies and public engagement.
The State Board of Education voted to accept the Assessment & Accountability Task Force’s final report, a multi‑month review led by the Center for Assessment that proposes substantial changes to Maryland’s accountability system.
Chris Domilewski of the Center for Assessment summarized the task force’s recommendations, which include simplifying the accountability model by keeping proficiency as the primary academic achievement measure, refining how growth is measured (comparing student growth percentiles versus value‑table approaches), strengthening postsecondary‑readiness metrics (credit accumulation, AP/IB/dual credit, industry credentials), and improving assessment accessibility and reporting practices.
Domilewski said the task force urged empirical comparisons of growth‑model options against criteria such as sensitivity across the achievement distribution and transparency of computation. He recommended procurement language to solicit adaptive and modular interim assessment options and asked for a public communications plan for score reporting.
Board members and task‑force participants stressed the need for implementation supports: transparent standard setting, focus groups on how to present school performance, and resources for LEAs to interpret and use the new indicators. The board accepted the report in full by voice vote and MSDE staff said the Center for Assessment will continue as a technical advisor during next steps, including an RFP for the state assessment vendor (current contract expires in December 2026).
What’s next: Follow‑up analyses on growth models, public engagement on performance reporting, and integration of the task‑force recommendations into procurement and administrative rules.
