Overview
What is assessed?
- Maine Science and Engineering Standards (i.e., the Next Generation Science Standards)
- The assessment focuses on performance level expectations based on three-dimensional learning that incorporates science & engineering practices and cross-cutting concepts with disciplinary core ideas.
Who participates in the Maine Science Assessment?
- Students in grades 5, 8, and 3rd year of high school
What is the format of the assessment?
- Online (Paper-based forms are available as an accommodation per an IEP or 504 plan.)
- Questions occur in clusters around a common problem scenario.
When is the assessment given?
- High School: April 2-17, 2025
- Grades 5 and 8: May 12-23, 2025
- Three sessions. The 15-minute student questionnaire will be removed starting in Spring 2025.
Important Dates
|
Date |
Task |
| February 5, 2025 | District Assessment Coordinator ADAM accounts open. |
|
February 25, 2025 |
Pre-administration activities, such as assigning supports/accommodations, creating additional proctor groups, and printing test tickets, become available in ADAM for high school students. *Note: It is recommended to wait until closer to the administration window to print test tickets, as the tickets are considered secure assessment materials. |
|
March 3, 2025 |
All training modules, manuals, and guides become available on the Maine Science Zendesk Support page. |
|
February 21 – March 12, 2025 |
The standard and large print paper-based test order form is open for the high school assessment. |
|
March 10 - May 23, 2025 |
Support call center open (M-F) - Toll Free Number: 855-544-0842. |
| March 18 - April 4, 2025 | The standard and large print paper-based test order form is open for the grades 5 & 8 assessment. |
|
April 2 - 17, 2025 |
High school administration window |
| April 3, 2025 | Grade 5 & 8 student rosters are available in ADAM, and pre-administration activities can begin for grades 5 & 8. |
| May 12 - 23, 2025 | Grades 5 & 8 administration window |
- Preparing for the Assessment Administration
-
ME Science Zendesk: A one-stop resource for video tutorials, document downloads, request help forms, and FAQs.
Maine Science Desk Help
- Phone: 855-544-0842
- Email: MEScience@adamexam.com
- Click here to Self-submit a help request ticket
For District and School Assessment Coordinators
- Spring 2025 Key Dates Checklist
- Unsubmit Process Flow
- Understanding and Utilizing Maine Science Assessment Reports Webinar Recording
For Proctors
- Spring 2025 Proctor Training Video - Required for ALL Proctors [Transcript]
- Assessment Security Webisodes
- Assessment Administration Manual
For Technology Coordinators
For Students and Families
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- Content
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A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas
Maine Learning Results in Science & Engineering, heavily adapted from the Next Generation Science Standards
Assessment Blueprints: All items on the Maine Science Assessment are aligned to a science topic and to a specific performance expectation. To ensure ample coverage of all grade-level science topics, the blueprint specifies targets for the minimum and maximum number of operational score points aligned to each topic.
Achievement Level Descriptors: The Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs) documents are intended to be used as a guideline to describe the four levels of achievement on the Maine Science Assessment: Well Below, Below, At, and Above State Expectations. The ALDs are written to align with the Next Generation Science Standards.
Released Items: Released items are test questions that are no longer in use and have been made available to the public. The "For Student" copy resembles a test booklet. The "For Teachers" version contains the answer key, standards alignment, and rubrics for constructed-response questions.
Grade 5 Released Items:
- 2022 Released Items: For Students and For Teachers
- 2023 Released Items: For Students and For Teachers
Grade 8 Released Items:
- 2022 Released Items: For Students and For Teachers
- 2023 Released Items: For Students and For Teachers
High School Released Items:
- 2022 Released Items: For Students and For Teachers
- 2023 Released Items: For Students and For Teachers
The New Meridian Framework for Quality Review of NGSS Science Assessment Items
- Accessibility
-
Supplemental Guidance for Text-to-Speech
Request Form for Paper-Based Assessments (Standard & Large Print)
- Any braille needs should be communicated via email to Krista Averill, Assessment Coordinator, at Krista.Averill@maine.gov
- Scoring & Reporting
-
- Kite Reporting Platform Guide
- Score Interpretation Guide
- Understanding and Utilizing Maine Science Assessment Reports Webinar Recording
- Standard Setting Report: Standard setting is the process by which cut scores between achievement levels are determined.
- Individual Student Report (ISR) Template Translations
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If you are a Maine parent/guardian with an exceptionality who requires an alternate format to access any of the above resources, please reach out to Assessment Team Office Specialist, Daniella Crone, at Daniella.Crone@maine.gov
- Other Resources
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A Tale of Three Assessments: What are the similarities and differences between the Maine Science Assessment, the multiple administrations of the Maine Through Year Assessment, and NWEA's MAP Growth assessment?
Spring 2023 Technical Report: The Spring 2023 Technical Report details the following:
- Test design and development
- Assessment administration
- Item-level scoring
- Classical item analysis
- Calibration and scaling
- Reliability
- Score reporting
- Validity
- Student performance
 |
Krista Averill Assessment Coordinator Phone: 207-215-6528 Email: krista.averill@maine.gov |