By Natalie Nohr
The Oriole
Quincy HS
1st Place
Division 4, News Writing
News Analysis
The State of Michigan is scrapping standardized testing as schools know it. A new state assessment, the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) will be introduced this testing season.
Along with this new evaluation, juniors will be taking the SAT instead of the ACT beginning in spring 2016.
“There is no “norm” anymore. The state has completely dismantled every bit of norm that we’ve ever had,” Principal David Spalding said.
Juniors should expect six days of computerized testing. The test will take place April 14-16 and 21-23.
The new assessment includes two math and two English tests, then a social studies and science assessment, according to Spalding.
“What used to be done in a day is now going to be done over six days,” Spalding said.
The M-STEP test was changed to better fit federal evaluation standards.
“The state didn’t feel that they were meeting the No Child Left Behind Laws,” Spalding said.
According to Paradine, the M-STEP was written in order to create a sense of “continuity” among the tests.
While elementary students used to take the MEAP, and high school students used to take the MME, the M-STEP will now be administered to all students.
“[They] created a single test with a single name… that was the main goal,” Paradine said.
Some are questioning if they can prepare students for the test in time for next spring.
“It scares me that we’re going to be judged on something that’s brand new…we don’t have a way to prep. We haven’t seen the questions,” Paradine said.
Artist is confident that the test results will not impact the state’s school evaluations for some time, even though each school’s classifications are based on students’ test scores.
“The results over the next two years will not reassign priority school and focus school designations,” Artist said.
The M-STEP isn’t the only testing change for the Michigan
Last February, the state released a request for proposals of student testing plans for the first time in three years, according to an update given by State Superintendent Mike Flanagan. The ACT and SAT then submitted bids by March of 2014. The State accepted the College Board’s (SAT) bid.
“The SAT’s bid was $15 million less than the ACT’s,” Spalding said.
The state accepted the SAT bid; however, ACT is challenging the decision.
“The ACT is filing a lawsuit due to their belief that the bid package was not appropriately given to both companies,” Spalding said.
Staff and teachers are addressing the best way to prep students as the changes emerge.
“[The SAT] is rolling out a brand new test. Nobody knows what it looks like,” Counselor Kevin Paradine said.
The new tests will be more in line with state requirements according to Superintendent Craig Artist.
“The SAT version will be more in line with the Michigan standards,” Artist said.
English Department Co-Chair Karen Michael says the staff will have to acclimate to the new test.
“We’ll have to familiarize ourselves with the SAT and build that into our classes,” Michael said.
Spalding assures parents and students that he will do all he can to prepare the Class of 17 for the new SAT.
“I will do a study on what the SAT is and how it is different from the ACT…we will develop programs for the students,” Spalding said.
Michael agrees.
“You have to do what you have to do as a public school teacher,” Michael said.
While the teachers and staff are forming ways to steady the waves of change, many are frustrated with the decision to change student evaluation.
“We were really ahead of the game [testing-wise], and now the state is just taking the whole thing and throwing it up in the air. We just have to see where it falls and pick up the pieces the best we can,” Spalding said.
Students are frustrated and confused with the changes as well.
“I don’t know what’s going on,” Julia Hildebrand `17 said.
Parents and students should continue to follow the news to be aware of the status of the ACT’s lawsuit, as that may cause another set of changes.
Fifty-eighth District Representative Eric Leutheuser says that the changes shocked many people. However, he says that the state will be offering prepatory materials to schools.
“They are going to make some training materials available through the Khan Academy for students, and training for teachers through the College Board,” Leutheuser said.
In the midst of change, some see the potential for positive change among students.
“I think change is rejuvenating. It makes people strive to be better,” Michael said.