The Maryland High School Assessments (HSAs) are four tests—one each in algebra/data analysis, biology, government, and English—that students must pass to graduate. 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.

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.

Modified High School Assessment (Mod-HSA)
The Mod-HSA is an alternative test for a student with an IEP who meets specific participationcriteria. A student with an IEP who has taken and failed the HSA once may have the opportunity totake the Mod-HSA if approved by the school.

The Bridge Plan
Students who fail to meet the passing score on any one HSA at least twice may be eligible for the Bridge Plan. 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.

For more information on the Maryland’s High School Assessments (HSAs) and the Bridge Plan as well as related print, online, and multi-media resources, click here:
http://hsaexam.org/