With 2009 Test Mandate, Push to Prepare Students

Blum was particularly proud of the county's Web site, which allows students to study for the HSAs on their own. The site features a database of test questions, answers and explanations. Students can print out a summary report after they've responded to 10 questions that show whether they are mastering the content. The report can be forwarded to a teacher, who can target the areas that need extra instruction.

Montgomery, Anne Arundel and Howard counties and districts in Southern Maryland are using old-fashioned methods, as well.

Anne Arundel officials didn't have a dollar figure for the amount they are spending to prepare for the HSAs, but George Arlotto, the director of high schools, said the county has started several initiatives: after-school and Saturday programs, lunchtime tutoring sessions, additional courses to help lagging students pass, and courses tailored for students who passed their class in a certain subject but not the exam.

"High schools now spend more time talking to their feeder middle schools and looking at data for students they will soon be getting so they can start preparing them," Arlotto said.

The county's newest project is a summer program for ninth-graders that will start this year. It was funded by a state grant for high schools that have had difficulty meeting federal requirements for student achievement. A curriculum will be written and teacher stipends allotted for the program.

Even with talk of proposed delays to the High School Assessments, the county will go forward with the summer program and other initiatives, Arlotto said.

"We're not waiting for that decision, because it might not come until August," he said. "We don't have time to wait. We're assuming everything's still on the table, and our focus is getting our students to be successful."

Staff writers Daniel de Vise, Megan Greenwell and William Wan contributed to this report.