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M-STEP

Grades 3, 8, 11 & 12

The Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress, or M-STEP, is a 21st Century computer-based assessment designed to gauge how well students are mastering state standards. These standards, developed for educators by educators, broadly outline what students should know and be able to do in order to be prepared to enter the workplace, career education training, and college. When combined with classroom work, report cards, local district assessments and other tools, M-STEP results offer a comprehensive view of student progress and achievement.

MI-ACCESS

Grades 3, 8, 11 (*alternate assessment)

MI-Access is Michigan's alternate assessment system and is designed for students  with the most significant cognitive disabilities, and whose IEP (Individualized Education Program) Team has determined that General Assessments, even with accommodations, are not appropriate. MI-Access satisfies the federal requirement that all students with disabilities be assessed at the state level.

MI-Access is based on Michigan's alternate content expectations for English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. Only students whose primary instruction is based on the alternate content expectations and meet the definition of a student with the most significant cognitive disabilities may take MI-Access. Please note that MI-Access is not designed for students with mild disabilities. 

IEP teams must follow the guidelines for participation in MI-Access. When any level of MI-Access is selected as the state level assessment for any student, schools must provide the parents/guardians of that student: 1) information regarding the academic achievement standards on which their performance will be measured, and 2) how participation in this assessment may delay or otherwise affect (or prevent) the student from completing the requirements for a regular high school diploma.

MME

Grade 11 (and eligible 12th grade students)

The Michigan Merit Exam (MME) assesses students in grade 11 and eligible students in grade 12 based on Michigan high school standards. The MME is administered each spring, and consists of three components:

• College Board SAT® with Essay Evidence-Based Reading & Writing and Math
• ACT® WorkKeys® job skills assessment Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents
• M-STEP Science and Social Studies

PSAT

Grades 8, 9, 10

In accordance with the State School Aid Act, summative assessments for English language arts (ELA) and mathematics shall be administered to all public school pupils in grades 3-11. The Michigan Department of Education has chosen to administer the College Board's PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10 to students in grades 8, 9, and 10 to fulfill this requirement. The PSAT must be taken on the scheduled state testing day. The PSAT 8/9 for students in grade 9 and the PSAT 10 for students in grade 10 are not currently included in Michigan's accountability system.

The PSAT 8/9 replaced the M-STEP ELA and Mathematics assessment in grade 8 and is included in Michigan's accountability system along with the grade 8 M-STEP science and social studies.

WIDA

Grades K-12

The WIDA ACCESS for ELLs suite of assessments comprises secure large-scale English language proficiency assessments administered to Kindergarten through 12th grade students who have been identified as English learners (ELs). The assessments are given annually in Michigan to monitor students’ progress in acquiring academic English, and include Kindergarten ACCESS for ELLs, ACCESS for ELLs online and paper-based, and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs.

The WIDA Screener is an assessment screening tool used by educators to measure the English language proficiency of students who have recently arrived in the U.S. or in a particular district. It can help to determine whether or not a child is in need of English language instructional services.