What is the MEAP?
The Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) was established by Act 451 of 1976. The Act has been amended many times since 1976 and currently addresses elementary and middle school assessments. MEAP tests are based on Michigan Curriculum Frameworks and Grade Level Content Expectations approved by the Michigan State Board of Education. The content expectations and test designs are the result of work by committees of Michigan educators. Each test is designed to assess the full range of content for a particular subject and grade level. To guarantee this broad coverage, as well as equivalence of test editions, we use content blueprints to guide test development. Each blueprint prescribes the numbers and types of test items for each content strand. Additional specifications include item difficulty and discrimination, vocabulary, passage length, and stimulus characteristics.
The MEAP tests are created to let Michigan parents, school administrators, and the public know how Michigan students are progressing with statewide curriculum and content standards. The tests are designed to be distinctly different from norm-referenced tests in that the MEAP tests focus on specific grade level content expectations rather than broad educational outcomes and yield precise performance level information, rather than relative rank. These mastery levels are listed below:
Level 1 (Advanced)
Level 2 (Proficient)
Level 3 (Partially Proficient)
Level 4 (Not Proficient)
These level designations have recently taken on greater meaning with the passage of federal education legislation. Specifically, No Child Left Behind calls for challenging tests based on challenging statewide curriculum to identify multiple levels of student achievement in reading and mathematics in grades 3-8. With the MEAP tests in place for several years prior to the implementation of NCLB, Michigan schools and students have a head start with regard to knowing exactly which students required additional assistance as well as which students are making satisfactory or exemplary progress.
In addition to assessing student knowledge of subject-specific content, the MEAP tests also assess student thinking skills in each of the four subjects: English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Critical thinking skills are a primary focus of each of the four sets of tests.
What is MEAP like?
There are multiple choice questions and “constructed response” questions asking students to provide written responses, either short or long. The ELA and social studies tests require longer written responses than the math and science tests. On most tests there is no time limit – students can take as long as they need to complete each test.
Tested Subjects
Grade 3 – English Language Arts and Mathematics
Grade 4 – English Language Arts and Mathematics
Grade 5 – English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science
Grade 6 – English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Social Studies
Grade 7 – English Language Arts and Mathematics
Grade 8 – English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science
Grade 9 –
October 22, 2009 – 9th grade students take the 9th grade Social Studies MEAP in the fall. This test covers 8th grade social studies curriculum. Released items are available for test preparation at the MEAP website: http://michigan.gov/meap.
Grade 10– October 2009 – 10th grade students take the ACT Plan test in the fall. This test gives students an indication of how they will score on the ACT test. A passing score is necessary to qualify for dual enrollment. More information about the ACT Plan is available at http://act.org/plan. More information about dual enrollment is available from your counselor or at the Michigan Department of Education’s website: http://michigan.gov.mde.
MME Info
Grade 11– March 9, 10, and 11, 2010 - Every high school in the State of Michigan will be administering the Michigan Merit Exam (MME) to every 11th grade student. This assessment replaces the 11th grade MEAP for the purpose of the district’s state and federal guidelines for assessment. Your score determines eligibility for the Merit Award, which can now be as much as $4,000. This new assessment includes the ACT + Writing test with a college reportable score at no cost.
It is essential that all students are present, on time, and put forth their best effort toward this assessment. Students who are late to school on test dates will not be admitted into the tests. Students who are disruptive during the tests may face school discipline, legal consequences, and may risk their eligibility to receive a Mason High School diploma.
Students who qualify for accommodations are contacted directly by the Special Education Office.
Grade 12–
March 9, 10, and 11, 2010, 12th grade students who did not register for the fall retake and who did not already earn a qualifying score for the Merit Award may sign up to retake the MME with the 11th grade students.
Note: All portions of the MME test must be retaken in order to qualify for the Michigan Merit Award. For test prep materials and released items visit: http://michigan.gov/mme. For more information about the Merit Award visit: http://michigan.gov/mistudentaid.
National Career Readiness Certification (NCRC): Twelfth grade students who have already taken the MME have taken 2 of the 3 required WorkKeys Assessments that allow students to earn a National Career Readiness Certificate. The 3rd test, Locating Information, will be available to 12th grade students at no cost.
What problems do students have?
• Sometimes students have forgotten things that they learned in earlier grades.
• Students don’t read the question carefully.
• Students lose many points on constructed response questions; they often don’t do all that the question asks of them.
• Students have difficulty coming up with a viewpoint when requested in the test.
Helpful Practice Websites
Have students practice MEAP-like items.
http://www.infoplease.com/homework
http://www.homeworkspot.com
http://www.eduhound.com
http://www.bigchalk.com
Test-Taking Help
http://www.eop.mu.edu/study/
http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/Helping_test_taking.html
http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,1-538.html
http://www.smartkids.com/state/state_info.asp
http://www.educate.com/online/tips_testing.html
Make sure students are ready on test day.
• Make sure your child is well rested.
• Make sure your child is not hungry. High protein meals are recommended.
• Students should prepare by reviewing learning in the academic areas to be tested.
• Students should come to the MEAP tests relaxed, but also understanding the importance of staying on task and doing their best.
• Avoid scheduling medical, dental, or other appointments on MEAP days. Research shows students do better when tested with their class rather than a make-up session.
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