October 20, 2003
October 20, 2003
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued Executive Order 2003-20, transferring authority and responsibilities for the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) to the Michigan Department of Education.
“Educating our kids is the highest priority, and placing responsibility for MEAP with the Department of Education is in line with that goal,” Granholm said. “We are always working to move K-12 education forward; putting this educational testing program in a department of educational experts makes sense for education in Michigan.”
“The department will also be better positioned to use the MEAP information in its work to help schools not making adequate yearly progress,” Granholm added.
The order calls on the services of the Department of Information and Technology (DIT) to help facilitate efficient administration of the MEAP. The department will provide pertinent information and processing services as necessary.
While the Merit Award Board will remain with the Department of Treasury, functions of the Department of Treasury or Merit Award Board that relate to the administration of MEAP tests will transfer to the Department of Education. The Merit Award Board will retain all statutory functions relating to Michigan Merit Award scholarships, including qualifications for the scholarships.
A further change abolishes four committees established by Governor Engler, but were never appointed: the MEAP Subject Area Blue Ribbon Advisory Committees for Reading and Writing; Math, Science, and Social Studies. These four blue ribbon committees were established by an executive order in 2000 but were never appointed.
The Governor’s action rescinds Executive Order 1999-12 which moved MEAP from the Department of Education to the Department of Treasury effective January 2000. It will affect approximately 21 positions that will move to the Department of Education when the order takes effect December 21.
