The January 2020 HS MISA and Government HSA window opened on Monday, January 6 for both online and paper. The HSA window for both online and paper administrations will close on Friday, January 31.
You are now able to schedule test sessions using the HSA Portal. As a reminder, there is a small tutorial on the Help and Support site about creating classes and test sessions: https://maryland.onlinehelp.cognia.org/training/.
School Test Coordinators (STC) are expected to enter their testing schedule for HS MISA and Government on https://itempra.org/schedule. Schedules should be updated as changes occur due to weather or other events.
We have created an ancillary document for the Paper Test Administration that provides the page numbers for the start of each session. This was mentioned in the January 2020 Test Administration Manual on page 1. That document has been posted to the Help & Support site (https://maryland.onlinehelp.cognia.org/reference-sheets/). Please be sure to share this document with the STCs in schools administering a paper test.
The window for ordering additional manuals and test material opened on December 17, 2019 and will remain open through January 29, 2020. You can access the Online Materials Management tab within the HSA Portal. A Quick Start Guide is available on the Help and Support Site showing the steps for ordering additional materials: https://maryland.onlinehelp.cognia.org/guides/.
The 2018-19 January and May HS MISA reports have been shared with schools and each LSS. One hard copy of ISRs will be shipped to each LSS and the LEA 24 schools on January 7, 2020. All HS MISA reports can be accessed online using the Maryland Analysis and Reporting System (MARS). LAC and School Memos have been shared by the MSDE with each LAC and LEA 24 school administrator containing usernames and passwords as well as instructions for accessing the site.
We have posted the January 2020 Administration Training PowerPoint to the MD Help and Support site for your use. You can locate the document in the PowerPoints section near the bottom of the Training page: https://maryland.onlinehelp.cognia.org/training/.
Additional HSA Training Modules have been added to the Help and Support site: https://maryland.onlinehelp.cognia.org/training/. Modules were recently added for transferring students within an LSS and transferring students from one LSS to another.
The digital copies of January 2020 Test Administration Manuals and Test Coordinator Manual have been posted to the Help and Support site: https://maryland.onlinehelp.cognia.org/guides/.
The 2019-2020 Key Dates Document has been posted to the Help and Support site (https://maryland.onlinehelp.cognia.org).
The online practice test site is now open. You no longer need a username and password to log into practice tests. You can access the practice test site from the Test Materials section of the Help and Support site: https://maryland.onlinehelp.cognia.org/practice-test-materials/. On the practice test site, click the menu to select a test. Then choose between the following tests:
MSDE has updated their COMAR policy document (updated on 10/25/18). This updated document has been posted to the Maryland Help & Support Guides page under the Policy Documents button (https://maryland.onlinehelp.cognia.org/guides/).
MSDE and Cognia are monitoring calls and emails to the Help Desk to assure responses are accurate and timely. Please continue to encourage that your STCs utilize this valuable resource.
Please visit the Maryland Help & Support site (https://maryland.onlinehelp.cognia.org/) to view all help guides, manuals, and other helpful information regarding the Maryland HSA.
Please let us know if you have questions or concerns.