Students typically suffer penalties for turning in work past the due date. While it is uncertain what consequences await those responsible for Michigan Educational Assessment Program scores, officials are glad to have the numbers.
Results from the winter 2002 MEAP tests were released Friday, Oct. 3, showing how many students have met or exceeded state standards in certain subject areas.
For example, the Michigan Department of Treasury (responsible for scoring the tests), said 65 percent of the state’s fourth graders met or exceeded Michigan standards in mathematics. Of Clarkston fourth graders who took the MEAP tests, 85.8 percent registered in the first two categories.
The “met or exceeded standards” category was also reflected high among Clarkston fifth graders in the science test (89.5 percent), eighth grade science (83.1 percent) and eighth grade math (73.7 percent).
Statewide, officials said the new social studies test is still a challenge, and that seems to be the case in Clarkston as well. Only 32.4 percent of Clarkston fifth graders “met or exceeded standards” on that test. Another 40.8 percent were scored at a “basic level,” while 26.8 percent were categorized as “apprentice.”
Among eighth graders, 42.7 percent “met or exceeded” social studies standards, with 28.9 percent at “basic” level and 28.4 percent failing to rise above “apprentice.”
Local school districts apparently did not receive the raw scores before they were released to the public last Friday. Anita Banach, director of communications and marketing for Clarkston Community Schools, said the state will not provide “item analysis this year.” In addition, the fourth and seventh grade reading and writing tests were combined into an “English Language Arts” test this year, so firm comparisons to last year’s scores would be impossible.
On the other hand, the district has always provided comparisons on the annual Public Act 25 school “report card” (due out in November) and Banach said they will do so again if state officials give clear direction on how to do so with new and revised tests.
“Our students continue to do well academically, but we still have work to do to make sure all students meet or exceed state standards,” Banach said.
The test results were expected to be released in May or June of this year, but the state Treasury Department said computer issues were the main problem.
“The primary reason for the delay was the installation of the new software database,” according to Treasury spokesman Terry Stanton. “Once all the bugs are worked out, we would expect everything to run smoothly. It’s expected to provide a quick turnaround.”
Interpreting MEAP scores has been a challenge because of changing definitions and methods of scoring.
Their significance increased when high school MEAP scores became the basis for the Michigan Merit Award scholarship program, and this year are deemed even more important because of state and federal mandates for school improvement.
The federal “No Child Left Behind” program and Michigan’s Education YES legislation require all schools to make “annual yearly progress” in helping students meet or exceed curriculum standards.
Although state officials have warned for years against detailed comparison of MEAP scores from year to year or between districts, Michigan has chosen to use the MEAP as a major component of the AYP computation.
Banach said the AYP report is expected to be released by the end of October.
Another concern about late MEAP results come with yet-to-be-released results of high school tests given last school year. Those hoping to earn the Michigan Merit Awards must earn “endorsements” in the various MEAP subject areas. Those not passing the tests in their junior year are given another opportunity, including during the fall semester.
Stanton said the window for fall tests is Oct. 27 through Nov. 7, and that students who failed to earn all their endorsements last year have already been notified.
“All of the students have been informed,” Stanton said. “They should have the information, or their school should.”