New Web Site Helps Students Get Ready for English and Algebra High School Assessments

HSA Prep Online Features Practice Questions and Feedback on Responses

Students have a powerful new way to prepare for the English and Algebra High School Assessments (HSA). A resource on the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) web site called High School Assessment Information was launched on November 30. It features HSA Prep Online, an interactive database of test questions, answers, and explanations that allows students to work independently as part of their preparation for the English and Algebra HSAs.

Passing these state-mandated tests, along with tests in Biology and National, State and Local Government, is a graduation requirement for students, beginning with the Class of 2009.

“The site provides an engaging, interactive HSA practice tool that can be accessed anywhere at any time,” said Carol Blum, director of High School Instruction and Achievement in the Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs.

HSA Prep Online has practice questions, along with tips on understanding the question and explanations for why an answer is correct or incorrect. In addition, students can print a summary report after they have responded to 10 questions. The report indicates if their answers show mastery of particular content standards in the MCPS curriculum. This information can be shared with teachers, who can then target instruction to areas that the student needs to improve.

Other information on the HSA Information web page includes a link to the Parent Guide to HSA, available in Spanish, Chinese, French, Korean, Vietnamese, and English. The guide answers questions about the content of the tests, how they are scored and what scores are needed to pass, when the tests are given, and how to assist students in passing the tests. In addition, there are lists of frequently asked questions for parents, teachers, and students; a testing calendar; and links to a publication in multiple languages on graduation requirements. Links also are provided to past HSA tests that are now in public release and to the Maryland State Department of Education web sites providing performance reports for all state assessments.

The web site and HSA Prep Online were developed through the combined efforts of the MCPS Department of Curriculum and Instruction and the Web Services Team. Once a plan for the web site was established last summer, questions were assembled from an extensive list of past HSA tests now in public release and from other sources. A group of MCPS teachers worked over the summer to annotate the answers with information to help guide student learning. The Web Services Team designed a tool for capturing the content, then designed and produced the database and web site. The team worked closely with curriculum staff and tested the site with teachers and students throughout the development process.

High school teachers and administrators are encouraging students and their families to take advantage of HSA Prep Online. It is designed to help all students preparing for the HSA. However, it will be particularly useful for students who passed the end of course test in algebra, but did not pass the HSA in that subject, and will have an extended period of time without classroom algebra instruction before being able to retake the test.

A badge to the web site is on the MCPS home page at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org and on the For Parents and For Students pages. School webmasters also have been invited to use the badge to link from their sites. A feedback form invites users of HSA Prep Online to suggest improvements and rate its usefulness.