Maryland selects Pearson to deliver new statewide assessment system from 2026–27
The Maryland State Department of Education names Pearson as its new assessment vendor for grades three through twelve, marking a shift toward a redesigned system focused on growth, equity, and usability.
Maryland State Department of Education has selected Pearson to support the development and delivery of Maryland’s new statewide assessment system, set to launch in the 2026–27 school year. The decision follows the state’s plan to transition away from its current assessment model as existing vendor contracts expire in late 2026.
The new system will replace the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) and is intended to better measure student performance and academic growth across grades three through twelve, while improving clarity, accessibility, and instructional usefulness for educators.
A redesigned approach to statewide assessment
MSDE says the vendor selection builds on the work of its Accountability and Assessment Task Force, formed in February 2024, which examined how assessments and school accountability measures could be improved. The task force, made up of nearly 30 educators and experts, delivered its final recommendations to the State Board of Education in December 2024.
The redesigned assessment program aims to strengthen technical quality by adopting updated psychometric standards, including a move toward multi-stage adaptive testing. MSDE also plans to increase equity and accessibility, with enhanced accommodations for students with disabilities and multilingual learners.
Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Schools, says: “We are strengthening the value of the assessment program for Maryland students. This opportunity to thoughtfully redesign our assessment program with community input allows Maryland to better measure student performance and academic growth.”
The new system is also expected to consolidate multiple assessment vendors into a single integrated platform, which MSDE says will improve efficiency and reduce operational complexity for districts and schools.
Pearson’s role and collaboration with educators
Pearson will work with MSDE and Maryland educators on assessment design, technology, psychometrics, and implementation. Educators will be involved throughout development and standard-setting to ensure the assessments align with Maryland’s teaching and learning expectations.
In a LinkedIn post following the announcement, Trent Workman, Managing Director of US K–12 School Assessment at Pearson, wrote: “It’s an honor to work alongside MSDE and Maryland educators and experts on this important effort.”
He added that the work draws on Pearson’s assessment expertise “to support the state’s long-term vision.”
Arthur Valentine, President, Assessment and Qualifications and CEO, Pearson US, also commented on LinkedIn, writing that “strong statewide assessment systems are one of the ways Departments of Education support every learner,” and said Pearson teams will collaborate with MSDE and Maryland educators on the new program.
Key changes planned for Maryland’s statewide assessments
Under federal accountability requirements, Maryland will continue to administer English language arts and mathematics assessments annually in grades three through eight and once in high school. Statewide science assessments will remain in grades five and eight and once in high school, while social studies assessments will continue in grade eight and once in high school.
MSDE says the new system will place greater emphasis on instructional usefulness, including an optional interim assessment program designed to provide educators with actionable data during the school year. The state also plans to expand its item bank to ensure a broader range of questions across difficulty levels, allowing for more flexibility and additional released items.
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