Abstract: The Maryland Assessment Research Center for Education Success (MARCES) at the University of Maryland commissioned the evaluation, conducted by SRI International and authored by Edys Quellmalz and Geneva Haertel. Preliminary study results were presented to the Maryland State Board of Education at its monthly meeting this week. MARCES will provide the State Board with its own analysis of the report in December. The research looked at the subject matter covered by MSPAP, its alignment with the Maryland learning standards, design of the items presented to students in the assessment, and scoring criteria. It also offered an agenda for strengthening the program. “Most of the panelists had high praise for the purpose and general design of the MSPAP, noting its unique status as a statewide, interdisciplinary performance assessment,” the report says.