Maryland HSA Government and HS MISA Assessments Updates
Maryland HSA Government and HS MISA Assessments Updates
January 2, 2020
Maryland HSA Government and HS MISA Assessments Updates
January 15, 2020
January 2020 Administration Now Open
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.
Scheduling Test Sessions
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/.
Statewide Schedule Tool
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.
- The STC will need the password in order for the schedule to be saved on the tool. The password should not be shared with other staff needing to view the testing schedule. For assistance with the Statewide Schedule Tool please contact your LAC, MSDE (pauline.carey@maryland.gov), or view the training video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlxcniNph7A&feature=youtu.be.
January 2020 Paper Testing
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.
Additional Materials Order Process Open
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/.
2018-19 HS MISA Student Reports
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.
- The HS MISA Report Interpretation Guide is available within the Maryland Analysis and Reporting System (MARS) and has also been posted to the Help and Support Site under Quick Start Guides: https://maryland.onlinehelp.cognia.org/Guides. Note that a Parent Report Interpretation Guide is also available for download.
January 2020 Administration Presentation
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/.
Updated Training Modules
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.
January Administration Manuals
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/.
Key Dates Document
The 2019-2020 Key Dates Document has been posted to the Help and Support site (https://maryland.onlinehelp.cognia.org).
HSA Practice Tests
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:
- HS Government Practice Test (no accommodations)
- HS Government TTS Practice Test (text-to-speech accommodation)
- HS Government ASL Practice Test (American Sign Language accommodation)
- HS MISA Practice Test (no accommodations)
- HS MISA TTS Practice Test (text-to-speech accommodation)
- HS MISA ASL Practice Test (American Sign Language accommodation)
Updated FAQs for HS MISA & COMAR Document
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/).
HSA Help Desk Information
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.
- Email: HSAhelpdesk@cognia.org
- Phone number: 866.207.8804
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.
- We will periodically update the help guides throughout the administrations and will alert users of those changes as new information needs to be disseminated.
Please let us know if you have questions or concerns.
