This year, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) will be
transitioning to new statewide assessments beginning tomorrow.
These new assessments, called the Michigan Student Test of
Educational Progress (M-STEP), will be given paper-pencil and will measure
current student knowledge. In past years, grades 3-8 assessments were
given in the fall and measured a student s knowledge from the
previous year.
The M-STEP will assess student learning on Michigan s standards in
mathematics, English language arts (ELA), science, and social
studies. This transition is necessary to meet state and federal
education guidelines regarding assessment and accountability, as well
as to ensure that our statewide assessments better reflect what
students know and are able to do.
We want your child s experience to be relaxed, healthy, enjoyable,
and stress-free. Your positive and supportive manner and outlook
going into these assessments will have a tremendous impact on your
child s experience, too.
Our staff has done an excellent job explaining the testing to our students and easing any anxiety about the M-STEP. We are confident your child will have a positive testing experience!
For details and to read the entire letter from the State Superintendent, please see the attached link: