Michigan Educational Assessment Program

1. Michigan Educational Assessment Program MEAP

2. Purpose The Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) is Michigan’s general assessment.

3. Purpose The Michigan Curriculum Framework defines what students should know and be able to do through specific Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs).

4. Purpose For example, in geometry fourth graders are expected to be able to “recognize plane figures that have line symmetry”.

5. Purpose The Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) tests assess students’ progress toward the achievement of these GLCEs.

6. Purpose MEAP tests provide a common denominator in the state to measure how students are achieving on the same skills and knowledge.

7. Purpose MEAP tests, developed by the Office of Educational Assessment and Accountability (OEAA), have been shown to be sound, reliable and valid measures of academic achievement.

8. Purpose Schools and school districts use these assessments to: 1. Consider how students’ achievement has improved over time.

9. Purpose 2. Assess how policy and curriculum changes affect student learning.

10. Purpose 3. Target students for unique learning opportunities or special help.

11. Leadership In addition to the OEAA staff and advisory committees, district and school MEAP coordinators take a leadership role within their communities.

12. Subject Areas and Grade Levels The federal law, No Child Left Behind, requires testing in specific subject areas and grades.

13. Subject Areas and Grade Levels

14. MEAP Test Window MEAP tests begin the second week of October and continue through the month. Subject area tests are administered on the same day across the state

15. Schedule

16. MEAP Test Formats MEAP tests are intended to assess those GLCEs which can be assessed using a paper and pencil format.

17. MEAP Test Formats Question types include: Multiple choice questions Constructed responses Short answer Extended essays

18. MEAP Test Formats Tests are student paced and untimed.

19. Materials Student test booklets

20. Answer documents Materials

21. Test manuals by grade Materials

22. Materials 3rd grade students use a combined test booklet and answer document

23. Materials Other materials, such as School/Grade Header sheets and mailing labels used to return test materials, are provided to facilitate test coordinators’ duties.

24. Accommodations MEAP tests are designed to be appropriate for most students. A small percentage of students may need additional accommodations to participate.

25. Accommodations Students with disabilities English language learners Students with a Section 504 plan

26. Accommodations Specific guidelines for providing accommodations are found in the Revised Accommodations Summary Table (Fall 2009)

27. Accommodation Formats Braille Audio CD Video DVD in English, Spanish and Arabic Enlarged Print Reader Script

28. Accommodations Accommodations must not change the construct being measured so some accommodations are unavailable in certain subject areas.

29. Universal Accommodations These accommodations are available for all students. Example: A small group test administration setting, when necessary

30. Reporting Test Results Students’ results are provided to parents, teachers, schools and school districts.

31. Reporting Test Results Student results are reported using scale scores and categories of achievement called Performance Levels.

32. Performance Levels Level 1 - Advanced Level 2 - Proficient Level 3 - Partially Proficient Level 4 - Not Proficient

33. Reporting to Parents/Guardians Results by subject area with brief descriptions of what the student knows and is able to do.

34. Reporting to Parents/Guardians Growth in reading and mathematics from the previous year is reported for 4-8th graders.

35. Reporting School Results Achievement summaries Item analyses Class rosters Individual student reports A label with results for each student’s permanent record

36. Reporting Demographic Results Gender Ethnicity Students with disabilities English language learners Economically disadvantaged learners

37. Reporting District Results School districts, county intermediate school districts, and the state receive results reports similar to those provided to schools.

38. Integrity The OEAA maintains a high standard for test development, test administration and test results reporting.

39. Integrity Ensure results are fair, consistent and accurate for everyone Test administration manuals and the Assessment Integrity Guide helps educators

40. Integrity 40

41. Assessment Integrity Guide Policies and procedures to ensure fairness Roles and responsibilities for school personnel Investigation timelines and procedures

42. Integrity Emergency tests are developed each year should schools experience a misadminstration or irregularity in testing procedures.

43. Expertise The OEAA involves broad groups of educators and community members in addition to the following committees: Bias and Sensitivity Committee (fairness to all student groups)

44. Expertise Content Advisory Committees (subject area experts) OEAA Advisory Committee Technical Advisory Committee (measurement and psychometric experts)

45. Web Sites OEAA Secure Site (School and school district staff utilize this site to enter information and retrieve reports.)

46. Web sites www.michigan.gov/meap Critical information for schools and the public is posted to this web site including test manuals, calendars, time lines, policies, etc.

47. Web Sites www.mistreamnet.org MEAP teleconference is archived with Power Point slides for future reference

48. New for Fall 2010 Writing tests for grades 4 and 7 Narrative and informational prompts MEAP-Access Eligibility bubble Field tested items have new formats

49. New for Fall 2010 Mathematics tests incorporate supports, such as, rulers, that were previously sent on overlays Make-up days were added to the schedule on Fridays for flexibility

50. New for Fall 2010 Braille versions of the tests are ordered through the call center MEAP web site has teacher and coordinator resources