District officials received results from the 2014-15 MSTEP state-required test, implemented on students in various grades. This is the first year the test, which replaced MEAP testing, was implemented.
Students in grades 3-8 and also grade 11 were tested in language arts and math.
Students in grades 4, 7, and 11 were tested in science, and grades 5, 8, and 11 in social studies.
M-STEP set higher academic standards in English Language Arts and mathematics, said Clarkston Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Rod Rock.
‘It was a lengthy online test that was tough on students,? Rock said. ‘Instead of bubble sheets and multiple-choice tests like MEAP, students take these tests on computers, which requires an entire skill set unto itself.?
MSTEP was implemented this past year.
‘These results represent a new baseline, cannot be compared to previous years, and will not be used for accountability purposes,? he said. ‘There is no basis for comparison between districts as this test is new to all of us.?
Rock, along with CCS Board of Education members, agreef each child cannot be evaluated by MSTEP testing alone, so administrators will collect their own information and rely on other tests.
Rock’s goals include advancing proficiency levels for math and language arts while also implementing ‘a whole child? initiative, which places more focus on cultivating deeper thinking and addresses a child’s well-being.
‘We are working hard to advance students? achievements, and maintain our focus on cultivating learners and critical thinkers,”he said.
Rock has introduced programs like Leader in Me to cultivate thinking and build leaders, which continue to be implemented in several schools across the district.
Administrators like literacy specialist Phyliss Ness are working hard to implement new teachings to build language arts skills in elementary students.
Students are asked to think and discuss book characters differently than previous programs. Lessons include thinking and discussing how a character feels, what they find important or why they act out of character in times of trouble.
Teachers are collecting more data on students, which requires more one-on-one time to address any trouble a student may have with a lesson.
CCS Board of Education faces challenges, and debated Rock’s evaluation for goals relating to a child’s well-being, and how goals addressing well-being factor into test scores.
“Given new federal legislation and the perspective of our state superintendent, Mr. Brian Whiston, the next few years will undoubtedly mean further changes in standardized testing,” Rock said. “Many things will change, and we will continue to focus on cultivating in each of our students academic knowledge, innovation, engagement, creativity, collaboration, and a love of learning.”

Grade % Advanced % Partially % Not
or Proficient Proficient Proficient

Mathematics
3rd 62.5 23.5 14.0
4th 52.3 30.5 17.2
5th 42.3 33.0 24.7
6th 48.8 33.0 18.3
7th 47.9 30.9 21.3
8th 41.0 29.8 29.2

English Language Arts
3rd 62.5 23.5 14.0
4th 52.3 30.5 17.2
5th 42.3 33.0 24.7
6th 48.8 33.0 18.3
7th 47.9 30.9 21.3
8th 41.0 29.8 29.2

Science
4th 13.1 38.8 48.1
7th 27.0 27.2 45.8

Social Studies
5th 24.3 62.4 13.3
8th 40.2 40.7 19.1

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