Maryland’s standardized tests to get shorter next year

FRUITLAND, Md. – Next year, Maryland students will be spending less time on standardized tests.

The Department of Education announced this week that standardized tests will include fewer questions under the new Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program.

With the previous series of tests educators say less than half of students could pass.

Students will now spend about two and a half hours on a math test as opposed to four hours.

Also, some students will spend 70 minutes on an English Language Arts exam as opposed to 90 minutes.

“Asking an elementary student to complete a 90-minute assessment can be a very daunting task,” said Wicomico County Public Schools Supervisor of Assessment, Karen Parsons.

“So, taking it down to 70 minutes in the content area, but still assessing the same skills is going to be a better experience for the students as well,” said Parsons.

Parsons adds that although there will be less questions, the blueprint of the exams will stay the same.