Preparing the Community for
Spring 2015
Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress
March, 2015
Moving from MEAP to M-Step
March 2015
Table of Contents
Changes in State of Michigan Tests: ...........................................................................................................................3
Student Readiness in Birmingham: ............................................................................................................................4
Length of Testing Sessions:.........................................................................................................................................4
Test Format and Structure: ........................................................................................................................................5
State of Michigan Testing Calendar – Spring 2015 M-Step and MME .......................................................................6
Helpful Online Resources ...........................................................................................................................................7
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Preparing Students and Families for Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress
Moving from MEAP to M-Step
March 2015
Changes in State of Michigan Tests:
With the adoption of Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social
Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects and Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, new state
assessments of student progress were needed. States across the country have been preparing new tests, and
some have adopted the Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA). The State of Michigan developed a test that is
similar to the SBA to replace the former Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP).
The new State of Michigan tests are referred to as M-Step, which stands for Michigan Student Test of
Educational Progress. More information about M-Step is available on the State of Michigan Department of
Education (MDE) website: http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-22709_70117---,00.html. The following
information is taken directly from the MDE website:
M-STEP replaces the forty year-old Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) and moves test
administration from the fall to the spring of each school year. This will allow student measurement to be
based upon current versus prior year learning.
As in previous years, English language arts (reading, writing and listening) and mathematics will be
assessed in grades 3-8. To reflect current year testing, science will move from being assessed in grades 5
and 8 to grades 4 and 7, and social studies from grades 6 and 9 to being assessed in grades 5 and 8 to
measure current year growth.
To preview the M-Step online assessment, visit this website using Google Chrome as your browser:
https://wbte.drcedirect.com/MI/portals/mi/ott1
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Preparing Students and Families for Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress
Moving from MEAP to M-Step
March 2015
Student Readiness in Birmingham:
Students in grades 3-8 and grade 11 will be taking M-Step tests on computers. Birmingham started using NWEA
MAP online assessments in grades K-8 several years ago to gather data for instruction. This year, grade 9
students also participated in the NWEA MAP for mathematics and reading. These test sessions have served as
good preparation for M-Step. If your child has participated in NWEA testing, he or she has already experienced
the type of test that will be administered in spring 2015.
All of the M-Step assessments are designed as computer tests. M-Step English language arts and mathematics
tests will be based on the Common Core State Standards for a child’s grade level. The questions include multiple
choice items, computer enhanced questions where students might click and drag items, short answer responses,
and full essays.
Science and Social Studies tests will also be administered by computer. These test items will look similar to the
paper and pencil items students have experienced in MEAP testing.
Length of Testing Sessions:
The State of Michigan is providing three-week testing sessions for each of grades 3 through 8, allowing flexibility
in actual test dates and times.
Fifth Grade Test Window: April 13 – May 1
Fourth Grade Test Window: April 27 – May 15
Third Grade Test Window: Mary 18 – June 5
Students will not necessarily take a test every day during the three-week window, and they will not
necessarily be scheduled to take all of the three parts of the English Language Arts or Mathematics tests at
one time.
The three-week periods include all make-up testing, all content areas, and all test sections. Administrators and
teachers in each Birmingham school will be setting testing schedules that will be best for all students.
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Preparing Students and Families for Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress
Moving from MEAP to M-Step
March 2015
Test Format and Structure:
Both the English language arts and mathematics tests are made up of three parts:
1. A computer test that is completed online
2. A classroom activity that is NOT completed online but is a lesson presented by the classroom teacher
3. A performance task that is completed online after the classroom lesson
Computer Tests: (All grades)
This part of the test may be given in two sessions, or with a break provided if given in one longer session.
Schools have the flexibility of scheduling the computer test according to class schedules and computer lab
availability.
Classroom Activity: The purpose of the Classroom Activity is to provide all students with the same basic
information that will be needed to complete the online Performance Task. The classroom activity is a 30-minute
lesson that can take place up to three days before the online Performance Task is completed. Students who are
absent from the classroom activity will have opportunity to participate in the classroom lesson before they
complete the online Performance Task.
Performance Task: These tasks are based on the Classroom Activity that is led by a teacher. All students have the
same information to use during the testing session. The Performance Task for English Language Arts will include
multiple-choice questions, interactive computer items, short responses, and a full essay. The English Language
Arts Performance Task may be administered over two days. The rubrics used for scoring written essays can be
found on the M-Step website: http://www.mi.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-22709_70117---,00.html.
The Performance Task for Mathematics is administered online and will include numerical responses as well as
written responses to explain the mathematical work or answer questions related to the mathematics.
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Preparing Students and Families for Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress
Moving from MEAP to M-Step
March 2015
State of Michigan Testing Calendar – Spring 2015 M-Step and
MME
GRADE
April 13
April 20
April 27
May 4
May 11
5
8
11*
June 1
English Language Arts,
Mathematics, Science
English Language Arts,
Mathematics, Social Studies
TOTAL Expected Testing
Time
2 subjects: 7 hrs during 3week window
3 subjects: 8 hrs 40 mins
during 3-week window
3 subjects: 8 hrs 40 mins
during 3-week window
English Language Arts,
Mathematics
6
7
May 25
English Language Arts,
Mathematics
3
4
May 18
English Language Arts,
Mathematics, Science
English Languages Arts,
Mathematics, Social Studies
MME - English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
2 subjects: 7 hrs 30 mins
during 3-week window
3 subjects: 9 hrs 10 mins
during 3-week window
3 subjects: 9 hrs 10 mins
during 3-week window
4 subjects: 5 hrs 40 mins
during 8-week window
*Schedules for Grade 11 testing are flexible during the entire 8-week testing window set by the State of Michigan. This
flexibility allows schools to work around dates for Advanced Placement and other national and international testing
periods. High schools have the option of administering two performance tasks to grade 11 students in the Spring 2015
tests. Students in Birmingham will NOT be completing these English language arts and Mathematics optional
performance tasks. Total expected testing time reflects the omission of the performance tasks.
Alternate Assessments – MI-ACCESS:
The following text is taken from “Spotlight on Student Assessment and Accountability” (November 20, 2014;
January 8, 2015) Michigan Department of Education publications:
MI-Access alternate assessments will be administered during a seven-week window from April 13
through May 29, 2014.
The MI-Access Functional Independence (FI) Assessment will continue to be used (with
accommodations as needed) for students identified by an IEP. This year it will be an online
assessment, including ELA and Mathematics (grades 3-8 and 11), Science (grades 4, 7 and 11),
and Social Studies (Grades 5, 8, and 11). Social Studies is required for the first time in Spring 2015 as
an operational assessment [alternate assessment]. The questions will be what the students are used
to seeing for MI-Access FI: multiple choice (question and three answer choices). Unlike the M-STEP,
there will not be any technology enhanced items [computer interactive activities] this year, and the
constructed response[written response] items (Expressing Ideas) will be completed on paper by all
students.
The MI-Access Supported Independence and Participation Assessments for students identified by an
IEP, will remain the same as last year, including ELA and Mathematics (grades 3-8 & 11), and Science
(grades 4, 7, and 11).
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Preparing Students and Families for Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress
Moving from MEAP to M-Step
March 2015
Helpful Online Resources
State of Michigan Department of Education (MDE)
http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-22709_70117---,00.html
Samples of classroom activities and Performance Tasks for each grade are posted on the M-Step
website:
Grades 3–8: http://michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-22709_70117_70118---,00.html
How student writing will be scored:
Students will not be asked to write in all modes of writing. The type of writing students are asked to
complete may vary by grade. Tests may require students to write in two different modes of writing. All
students should be prepared to answer any type of writing prompt. The scoring of student writing will
be determined by the rubrics developed by grade level and mode of writing. Use these links to review
the elements of writing that are important.
Grade
Writing Mode Rubrics
3-8
Narrative: Source material will serve as inspiration for the constructed response, textinspired rather than text-based.
3-5
Informational: Students will write to inform an audience, making reference to the source
material.
3-5
Opinion: Students will form and defend an opinion, supported by information from the
source material.
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Preparing Students and Families for Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress