Using a chart on aluminum can recycling and responding to a number of specific questions, the student figures out the conditions necessary to reach the fund-raising goal, then writes a brief feasibility statement to present to the student council. In 1997, approximately 177,600 students participated. In May 1990, the State Board of Education approved student learning goals for the year 2000. An accountability system was needed to assess progress toward achievement of these learning outcomes. This sampling technique does, however, provide the needed performance assessment information at the school, system, and state levels.
Student responses to the performance tasks are open-ended.
A wide range of responses to each is acceptable. Some responses receive full credit, some partial credit, and some no credit, depending on the quality of the response. The rigorous content of the tests relates to learning outcomes that have been established by the State Board of Education for the year 2000. School Improvement Teams in each public school in Maryland are working to adjust curriculum content and delivery to meet these goals.