The Maryland Assessment Research Center (MARC) provides support to the range of assessment activities in the State, the region and nation by conducting basic and applied research to enhance the quality of assessment practice and knowledge. MARC is a project of the Measurement, Statistics, and Evaluation (EDMS) program in the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology in the College of Education at the University of Maryland.

To accomplish its purposes, MARC houses expertise in assessment design, development, implementation, analysis, reporting and policy issues as well as the technical aspects of the quantitative theories that form the foundations of measurement. The nationally recognized EDMS program in the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, College of Education, and College Park Campus of the University of Maryland (UMCP) augment the capabilities of the MARC staff.

MARC provides advice to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), the Maryland State Legislature and local Maryland education agencies on technical and practical issues as well as conduct research and evaluation studies that will inform state and local decision making. MSDE has developed and implemented one of the most innovative, useful and widely recognized assessment systems in the country. Maryland has clearly defined outcomes covering both basic and higher-level thinking and problem solving skills and an assessment program that reflects those outcomes. Results from the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) and the Maryland High School Assessment (HSA) as well as local assessment programs are used by schools, businesses, and policy makers to determine how well schools are educating students and to develop goals and objectives.

It is anticipated that MARC will expand its support base to include businesses, local and federal government agencies, and foundations in order to accommodate a wide range of projects within its scope. Staffing will include a tenured professor as director, non-tenure-track, doctoral-level appointments (including post-doctoral positions), affiliate and adjunct EDMS faculty appointments, and graduate assistants. We will also employ additional people with specialized skills whenever they are needed.

Each project within MARC is expected to include a component of funding for basic research that forms a foundation of the application area of the funding source. This distinguishes MARC nationally and limits its activities to those that are mutually beneficial to the funding agencies, the University as an academic organization, and to educational organizations within Maryland. MARC does not solely implement knowledge; it generates as well as utilizes research understanding.

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Robert W. Lissitz
Measurement, Statistics, and Evaluation Program
Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology
University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742-1115
E-mail: rlissitz@umd.edu
MARC may also be reached at 301-405-3620.