11 TH GRADE PARENT MEETING Michigan Merit Exam Thursday, January 4, 2007 Ms. Krupp Mr. Vlahon Mr. Carmean

1. 11TH GRADE PARENTMEETINGMichigan Merit ExamThursday, January 4, 2007Ms. KruppMr. VlahonMr. Carmean

2. Questions • What is the Michigan Merit Exam? • Who takes the MME? • When is the MME administered? • Where is the MME administered? • How can students prepare for the MME? • What does this mean for the student? • What does this mean for our school? • What about re-tests? • What is the Michigan Merit Award?

3. What is the Michigan Merit Exam? • The MME is based on the ACT college entrance exam, WorkKeys (an ACT work skills assessment) plus several Michigan components developed to assess Michigan curriculum that is not assessed by the ACT or WorkKeys.

6. MME Reading Components The MME Total Reading Score is calculated from the results of: • ACT Reading Test– selections from social science, natural science, humanities and literary readings. • ACT WorkKeys –measures skills used when reading and using written text to do a job (memos, letters, directions, signs, notices, bulletins, policies, or regulations).

7. MME Writing Components The MME Total Writing Score is calculated from the results of: • ACT Writing test (persuasive writing selection). • MEAP Social Studies Response. This writing selection will also be used to determine MME Social Studies proficiency. • ACT English Test (75 multiple-choice items)

8. MME Mathematics Component The MME Total Mathematics Score is calculated from the results of: • ACT Mathematics • ACT Science (this part of the MME will also be used to determine MME Science proficiency). • WorkKeys Applied Mathematics • Michigan Component Mathematics

9. Who takes the MME? • All high school juniors in Michigan will take the MME. • The state will pay for this test and one re-test (if needed).

10. When is the MME administered? • The ACT portion of the test will be given on one common day statewide (March13, 2007). If a student is absent on that day, the makeup date is March 27. • The WorkKeys and Michigan Components will be given on subsequent days during that week.

11. Where is the MME administered? • The MME is administered at NLHS. We will be testing in the library. • Students must be in attendance during the entire test day. If they must leave, they will need to re-test in the fall.

12. How can students prepare for the MME? We will conduct a practice test day in February. Students can access ACT practice tests at the following web sites: http://www.act.org/aap/pdf/preparing.pdf (this site discusses in detail the ACT exam, including practice questions) http://www.act.org/workkeys/pdf/Preparing.pdf (this side discusses in detail the WorkKeys exam, including practice questions) http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/index.html (this site contains many FREE practice questions) http://www.act.org/workkeys/practice/index.html (this site contains practice tests for a small fee)

13. What does the this mean for the student? • Students are given the opportunity to take the ACT test FREE (up to two times). The results may be used for college applications. • Students who “pass” the MME will be eligible for the Michigan Promise scholarship (a $4000 scholarship) during their first two years of college.

14. What does this mean for our school? • Schools are accountable for the curriculum taught. • 95% of students in a school must be tested in order for the school to meet Yearly Adequate Progress (AYP). • AYP is also determined by the number of students who “pass” the MME exam. The goal is 100% proficient by 2013.

15. What about re-tests? • All students will have the opportunity to re-test one time next fall. If a third test is desired, the student will be responsible for testing fees. • When a student re-tests, they must take the entire MME test. • The students’ best score is used for calculating school AYP (adaquate yearly progress).

16. Michigan Merit Award • The Michigan Merit Award has been changed to the Michigan Promise scholarship (beginning with the class of 2007). • Students from the class of 2008 need to take the Michigan Merit Exam to qualify for the Michigan Promise scholarship. • Students who receive qualifying scores on the MME may receive up to $1000 per academic year for each of their first two years of college enrollment and up to $2000 after successful completion of two years of college with at least a 2.5 GPA. • Students who do not receive qualifying scores on the MME may receive up to $4000 after the successful completion of two years of college with at least a 2.5 GPA.

17. Miscellaneous • Students who arrive late will not be able to begin the test. It will be necessary to attend the make-up date. • Students who are a disruption or do not follow all testing rules can be instructed to leave the testing site. There will be NO make-up. • Students who want to retest for a better score on any part of the MME must retake the entire MME test.

18. PLEASE RESERVE TUESDAY MARCH 13, 2007 • Students must arrive on time! • Students must test the entire day! • Days 2 and 3 tests (WorkKeys and Michigan Component) will be March 14 and 15. There is some make-up flexibility for these days only.