What is BAA?

Assessments can be useful tools for measuring our knowledge and our ability to meet certain standards. While few of us actually enjoy being assessed, we know that assessments (and being assessed) are part of our everyday lives. In today's society, we're tested a lot. There's a test before we can get a driver license, a test to see if we're worthy to play on the varsity squad, and a test for a part in the school play. Sometimes there's even a test to get that job we want. In the classroom, assessments help us know whether we're keeping up with expectations for our grade level. Being able to recall information or demonstrate a skill is an important and meaningful asset.

The BAA designs and manages statewide assessments that help Michigan educators determine what students know and what students are able to do at key checkpoints during their academic career. Hundreds of educators from across the state help in the development and ongoing improvement of our assessments. No other assessments measure what is expected of Michigan students, nor measure the performance of Michigan students against established academic standards. Our assessments are sound, reliable and valid measurements of academic achievement. Students who score high on our assessments have demonstrated significant achievement in valued knowledge and skill. Further, our assessments provide a common denominator to measure how well students are doing, and to assure that all Michigan students are measured on the same skills and knowledge, in the same way, at the same time.

The documents that address the design and validity of our assessments are called Technical Reports (click here).

 

• MEAP (Michigan Educational Assessment Program) assesses students in grades 3-9.
• MME (Michigan Merit Examination) assesses students in grade 11 and eligible students in grade 12.
  How are MME testing dates established?

Our other assessments:

• ELPA (English Language Proficiency Assessment) is for K-12 students eligible for English language learner (ELL) services.
• MEAP-Access is a program for some students with disabilities.
• MI-Access is Michigan's alternate assessment program for students with significant disabilities when IEP teams determine that MEAP, even with accommodations, is not appropriate.

Our office also administers:

• Accountability measures student achievement and school performance based on statewide assessments and other academic indicators as required under state and federal law.
• EducationYes! measures school accreditation system based on student achievement and schools' self-assessment. This program is scheduled to expire at the end of September 2009.
• Michigan School Report Card Michigan's previous accountability system under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
• NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) is a representative sample of Michigan schools selected for federally-sponsored and reported national assessment results.

We also work with several private contractors who perform a variety of tasks such as printing and shipping test booklets, answer documents, and accompanying manuals; collecting and scoring answer documents after an assessment has been administered; and producing printed and electronic reports based on test results.

Please contact us if you need additional information.