1. MDE
  2. Student Assessment

Assessment and Accountability Grades K-12

In June 2014, the Michigan Legislature required the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to develop a new test for spring 2015, creating a need to reduce a normal three-year test development process to nine months. The MDE worked to create a new assessment system called the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress, or M-STEP.

M-STEP is a summative assessment and is administered to students in the following grades and subjects: English language arts and mathematics will be assessed in grades 3–8; science in grades 5, 8 and 11; and social studies in grades 5, 8 and 11.

The Michigan Merit Examination (MME) is the general assessment for students in grade 11. The MME includes: A free SAT with Essay which now serves as both a college entrance exam and the M-STEP English language arts and mathematics assessments; M-STEP science and M-STEP social studies components; and, the ACT WorkKeys.

Information on Michigan’s Assessments 

Accountability Information (See links in below table for specific accountability measures)

Michigan State Standards

Complaint or Allegation of Assessment Misadministration

Additional Information

Below you will find direct links to state assessment and accountability information.

MICHIGAN ASSESSMENTS

ACCOUNTABILITY

Early Literacy and Mathematics Benchmark (K-2) assessments (also referred to as the K-2s) were developed in cooperation with Michigan educators beginning with item writing and continuing through field-test data review. The benchmark assessments currently offered by Michigan are for students in Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade, in both English language arts (ELA) and mathematics.

MI-Access is Michigan's alternate assessment system designed for students who have, or function as if they have, cognitive impairments whose IEP (Individualized Educational Program) Team has determined that General Assessments, even with accommodations, are not appropriate. The three MI-Access assessments are Functional Independence, Supported Independence, and Participation.

MME 
The Michigan Merit Examination (MME) assesses students in grade 11 and eligible students in grade 12 based on Michigan high school standards. It is administered each spring, and consists of three components that include the College Board SAT, ACT Workkeys job skills assessment in reading, mathematics, and locating information and the M-STEP science and social studies.

The PSAT 8/9 is given to students in grade 9 only and the PSAT 10 is given to grade 10 students.

M-STEP (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress) includes our summative assessments designed to measure student growth effectively for today’s students. English language arts and mathematics will be assessed in grades 3–8, science in grades 5, 8 and 11 and social studies in grades 5, 8 and 11.

W-APT (WIDA-ACCESS Placement Test) is an English language proficiency "screener" test given to incoming students who may be designated as English language learners.

WIDA ACCESS for ELLs is a secure large-scale English language proficiency assessment given to Kindergarten through 12th graders who have been identified as English language learners (ELLs).

Accountability school performance reports based on various measures of student and school success. School accountability reports are based on statewide assessments and other academic indicators as required under state and federal law.

Assessment and Accountability Professional Learning Series is the home to various professional development and training resources regarding assessment and accountability and much more.

Parent Dashboard for School Transparency Important school-level reports for parents and others in the community that show key performance factors about Michigan public schools.

School Index Reports School-level accountability reports supporting the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Contact Us