STEPPING INTO M STEP!

A FAMILY WORKSHOP FOR OUR LONGACRE LEARNERS AND LEADERS

Let’s begin with the end in mind-Tonight’s BIG ROCK: Gain an awareness of M Step (formerly known as MEAP) • What is it? • When is it? • What can my child expect ? • How can I help my child?

WHAT IS M STEP? • On November 13, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) announced a

new statewide assessment system, called the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress, or M-STEP.

• At the elementary and middle school levels, M-STEP will assess students in English language arts and math from grades 3-8, science in grades 4 and 7, and social studies in grades 5 and 8. Additionally, high school students will be tested in grade 11 on writing, English language arts, math, science, and social studies.

• Most schools will be testing online • Students will be tested on content learned during the current school year as

opposed to the previous school year (with the exception of Science which includes 2nd through 4th grade Grade Level Content Expectations).

• It is the intent of the MDE not to use the results of the 2015 M-Step assessment to make high-stakes accountability determinations.

• Data provided to schools and districts for informational purposes • No Priority, Focus or Reward labels for schools

When is it? 3rd grade: -The testing window (including make-ups) for 3rd grade (Math and ELA) is: May 18 through the week of June 1 -Total testing time: approx. – 7 hours (4 hours ELA/3 hours Math) 4th grade: -The testing window (including make-ups) for 4th grade (Science, Math and ELA) is: April 27 through the week of May 11 -Total testing time: approx. – 8.40 hours (4 hours ELA/3 hours Math/1 hour 40 min Science) Science has two parts, each approx. 50 minutes.

What can my child expect?

ELA (English Language Arts-reading, writing, listening) and Mathematics assessments consist of three parts (3rd & 4th grades): 1. Computer Test session (CT) 2. Classroom Activity (CA) (scripted for the teacher-not

done on the computer). These introduce the context of the 3rd part-Performance Task. This activity includes vocabulary and key contextual topics of the upcoming Performance Task.

3. Performance Task (PT)-completed on the computer. These measure depth of understanding, writing and research skills, and complex analysis.

Science (4th grade only): • Multiple choice on computer • Based on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade Grade Level Content

Expectations

How can I help my child?

Many public resources are available for use in school and at home to preview content and technology skills:

Online assessment awareness for students http://aware.22itrig.org/start-here.html

1 The M-STEP Spring 2015 Preview is now available The preview is intended to provide students and teachers with a brief look at the English language arts (ELA) and mathematics technology-enhanced item types. Directions to access Preview The M-STEP Spring 2015 Preview must be used in Google Chrome. Copy and paste this link into Chrome

https://wbte.drcedirect.com/MI/portals/mi/ott1

2 Content will include SMARTER BALANCED content plus Michigan-developed field-test items. Computer Adaptive Test Previews: Here are links to the SMARTER BALANCED Field Tests. I believe you will need to use a browser other than Internet Explorer. You can select either 3rd or 4th grade. The Resource and Documentation tab provides solutions to the test items as well as scoring rubrics. http://sbac.portal.airast.org http://www.smarterbalanced.org/practice-test/

3 Classroom Activity and Performance Task Previews for each grade level in Math and ELA are available on the M Step website at:http://michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-22709_70117_70118---,00.html

4

Let’s take a look: • Copy and paste this link into Chrome https://wbte.drcedirect.com/MI/portals/mi

/ott1

• Let’s log in and explore the technology functions and tools that will be made available to students

• The following slides are “screen captures” of functions and tools we’ll explore on the preview.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: TECHNOLOGY SKILLS & TEST PRACTICE: https://sites.google.com/a/farmington.k12.mi.us/fps-m-step-readiness/home HTTP://SAGINAW.CYBERSCHOOL.COM/AES/PORTAL/TESTING-TECH-SKILLS-COMMON-CORE

Let’s end with the end in mind-Tonight’s BIG ROCK: Gain an awareness of M- Step (formerly known as the 40 year old MEAP) • What is it? • When is it? • What can my child expect ? • How can I help my child?

QUESTIONS?