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Maryland and 25 other states were awarded $170 million from the latest pool of federal Race to the Top money, according to an announcement Thursday.

The money will help develop a new generation of tests that measure annual development for students and provide teachers with feedback during the course of individual school years.

The new state assessments created by the 26-state consortium will test students' ability in math and English from the third grade through high school, but will use a variety of methods — from classroom speaking and research projects to work with digital media and listening assignments.

"These assessments will tell us if our schools are succeeding and if our students are ready, truly college- and career-ready," U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in a conference call Thursday.

Duncan also said the periodic and end-of-year tests could replace existing state assessments. The state currently uses the Maryland School Assessments for third- through eighth-graders, and High School Assessments for ninth- through 12th-graders.

English learners and students with disabilities also would have assessments designed specifically for them as part of the process, the Department of Education said in a statement.

The new assessments should be ready for the 2014-15 school year and will be piloted the previous year, Duncan said.