New MEAP Cut Scores - What parents need to know

Dear Parents,

Each year, Novi Community School District students, along with all other Michigan public school students in grades 3-9, are required to take the MEAP and eleventh graders are required to take the MME. With the release of results from the Michigan Department of Education, you will hear news reports about new cut scores that the Michigan State Board of Education recently adopted for these tests.  We encourage parents to use the Novi Community School District and the Michigan Department of Education for the most accurate and current information.

So, what are cut scores and why has the Michigan State Board of Education changed them? MEAP and MME cut scores separate test takers into various categories, such as advanced, proficient, partially proficient and not proficient. The new cut scores represent a significantly higher standard for student achievement. On some grade level tests, students previously could have answered as few as 40 percent of the questions correctly to be considered proficient. Under the new scoring system, students will have to correctly answer a much higher percentage of questions. Michigan is one of only three states in the nation (along with New York and Tennessee) to move to this top tier level of test scoring.

Like school districts across the state, the Novi Community School District MEAP and MME proficiency results are expected to decline when results are publicly released on February 15. We maintain high standards for our students and their test scores are consistently among the highest in the state. We anticipate this trend will continue even with the new cut scores. Regardless of this change in the numbers of students reported as proficient on state assessments, we will continue to refine our own assessment system in regards to ongoing school improvement efforts to support student learning, growth, and achievement.

If your student is reported as “not proficient,” it does not mean that your student is falling behind. It means that on the day of the test, your student did not score high enough to be deemed proficient according to the newly mandated cut score system. MEAP and MME tests are only two of several measures used in our district throughout the year to ensure that students are making academic progress. Actually, by the time parents and schools receive the MEAP/MME results from the state, many students identified as not proficient will have closed the gap.

With this in mind, we will be examining our curriculum and district assessments to respond to this more rigorous level of test scoring. In addition, our staff will focus our professional development efforts on enhancing our abilities to rise to the challenge presented within these recent changes.

Undoubtedly, parents will have many questions about the scoring changes. We will continue to provide information through a variety of communication channels such as newsletters, e-mail, our web site,
parent-teacher conferences, and more.

We are committed to developing each student’s potential with a world class education. We want all students to grow each year and achieve their highest potential. It is our intention that upon graduating all Novi students will enter our ever-changing global society ready for college, career, and community life.  No single assessment can convey readiness for life and learning beyond high school.  But the productive, positive and comprehensive learning experience provided in Novi schools will continue to add value to your child’s well-being for years to come.

 

6 THINGS PARENTS NEED TO KNOW

A NEW DEFINITION OF PROFICIENT ON STATE REQUIRED TESTS

1.       Each year, public school students in grades 3-9 take the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test and 11th graders take the Michigan Merit Exam (MME).

 

2.       The Michigan State Board of Education recently approved new MEAP and MME “cut scores.” for Mathematics, Reading, Science and Social Studies. A cut score is the score that separates test takers into various categories, such as advanced, proficient, partially proficient and not proficient.

 

3.       The new cut scores are higher and significantly “raise the bar” for our students.

 

4.       Michigan is one of only three states (along with New York and Tennessee) in the nation to move into this top tier in regards to test scoring.

 

5.       Districts throughout the state will show a decline in the number of students reported as “proficient.”

 

6.    If your student is reported as “not proficient,” it does not mean that your student is falling behind. It means that on the day of the test, your student was not proficient according to the newly mandated cut score system. Several other measures are used in our district throughout the year to insure that your student is making academic progress.

We maintain high standards for our students and their test scores are consistently among the highest in the state. We anticipate this trend will continue even with the new cut scores.