Assuming the Federal Department of Education approves use of the Michigan Merit Exam to replace the MEAP Test on Nov. 1, Lake Orion school officials believe the district is prepared to implement the new testing program for 11th graders.
District Testing Supervisor Darin Abbasse recently told school officials that everything is in place to make the transition to the MME, should the test become the new standard for measuring student progress.
For some time, the MEAP Test had been the test of choice for Michigan students. However, many in education now feel the MME, which includes the ACT test as one of its components, is a better way to measure students? knowledge in various subject areas.
‘I feel comfortable and confident that we have everything scripted out,? said Abbasse, regarding the district’s preparedness if and when the transition takes place.
Linda Glowaz, Assessment Director for Lake Orion schools, explained that the MME features five educational components to be administered to high school juniors over a three-day period. The components include: the ACT, Work Keys, mathematics, science and social studies.
Glowaz believes the MME is more comprehensive than the MEAP, which she described as a ‘bare minimum? measure for testing student knowledge.
‘The MEAP did not cover the entire curriculum,? said Glowaz. ‘Because of No Child Left Behind, each state had to prepare an assessment and submit a package that would meet all the standards. Now we’re waiting for approval.?
In the past, there had been criticism of the MEAP from some teachers who felt they were being required to ‘teach to the test.?
Glowaz favors switching to the MME, but for other reasons.
‘We have to teach the curriculum,? she said. ‘So I guess we will be teaching what’s on the test. But teachers still have the latitude to teach the curriculum in ways that are creative and to better connect with students.
‘I’m hoping we go to the MME because it is a better measure of the curriculum,? she continued. ‘And the kids like the test because of the ACT component. They take it anyway for college entrance.?
Should the MME receive federal approval, Glowaz said the test would be administered to 11th graders March 13-15. The ACT portion would be given on March 13; the Works Key and Math portions on March 14; and Science and Social Studies on March 15.
For students who miss the exam, make-up tests would be administered March 27-29. All juniors would be required to take the MME, which must also be taken to qualify for Michigan Merit Awards. The one-time $2,500 awards are given to students who meet specific standards on the test, and who will attend a state college or university.
Glowaz said that if the MME is not approved, the district would continue administering MEAP Tests in the spring.
Regardless, of which test is used, Glowaz is confident that students in Lake Orion and across the state will fare well.
‘Our testing has always been based on meeting certain benchmarks,? she said. ‘We have high standards in this state, and I feel our tests have a high level of expectation.?