Michigan Merit ExaminationSupport Initiative

Curriculum-Embedded Support For All Grade 11 Students in the

Detroit Public Schools

The MEAP High School Test is Changing

• In the spring of 2007, students will be required to take the Michigan Merit Examination (MME)

• The MME will be administered to all Grade 11 students statewide

• Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for high schools will be calculated using the results of the MME

The Michigan Merit Examination has Five Parts

• ACT Plus Writing– English, Reading, Writing, Mathematics and

Science

• ACT WorkKeys– Applied Mathematics– Reading for Information

• Michigan Mathematics• Michigan Science• Michigan Social Studies

The MME will yield college-reportable ACT scores

Preparation is Key

• According to American College Testing, students earn higher scores on college entrance examinations when they elect to do the following.– Take four or more years of course work in

English– Take three or more years of course work in

Mathematics, Science and Social Studies– Engage in test preparation activities that

improve test-taking skills and provide instruction in the knowledge and skills measured college entrance examinations

Purpose of the Michigan Merit Examination Support Initiative

• To provide each Grade 11 student with thirteen, 55 minute, in-class support sessions over a 6 week period

• Sessions are geared toward analysis, content review, practice and test-taking techniques that will support high academic achievement as measured by the MME

• Sessions will be provided by certified instructors who are content area specialist

24/7 Online Support

• Additional support will be offered to students in the form of online opportunities provided through the Michigan Virtual High School-a division of Michigan Virtual University

• Students will be able to log-on to a free website for 24 hour/7 day-a-week access to resources geared to support ACT and Work Keys preparation

More Students Taking the ACT

• During the 2005/2006 school year, 3,277 students who identified themselves as graduates in the Class of 2006, took the ACT

• In March, 2007, it is anticipated that approximately 7,527 Grade 11 students will be administered the MME

MME Support for All Student Groups

• All Grade 11 students will be addressed including

Students receiving special education services who need approved accommodations

andEnglish Language Learners

Support In-class and Beyond

• On-Line support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week

• Instructional Support in the form of CDs and printed study guides

• Pre-Test and Post-Test Results

• Prescriptions for Future Instructional Support

Our Students MUST take Advantage of this Opportunity!

• Support sessions are scheduled to begin January 22, 2007 and will conclude on March 12, 2007

• We must continue to encourage our students to be in school every day and take this opportunity seriously

• We must continue to encourage our students to complete all in-class and homework assignments, ask questions and fully engage in MME support activities

MME Support Initiative Benefits• Cost-free MME/ACT support for Grade 11

students

• In-class delivery system

• Cost-free (state-provided) administration of the ACT

• Cost-free access to the results of ACT pre-test and post test

• Selected vendors must have a proven track record of increasing student achievement and performance on standardized assessments

Planning for the Future

In June 2007– All Grade 9 students will be given the

opportunity to take the ACT EXPLORE which consists of a high school course planner and a student needs assessment

– Grade 10 students will be given the opportunity take the ACT PLAN which consists of academic tests, an interest inventory and a study skills assessment geared toward preparation for the MME/ACT in Grade 11

Using the Data

Data gathered from the ACT PLAN, ACT

EXPLORE and the MME will be used to monitor and adjust instruction

SCHEDULING AND ADMINISTERING THE

MICHIGAN MERIT SUPPORT INITIATIVE PRE-TEST IN GRADE

11

NOTICE: TEST SECURITY

• Please follow the assessment security procedures established by the MME Support Initiative Provider assigned to your building.

• Direct all inquires to the Office of Research, Evaluation and Assessment -873-6601.

Ethical Issues in Testing—Test Preparation and Administration

Standards

• All testing sites must adhere to the highest levels of test ethics. Principals are charged with insuring the maintenance of test ethics.

• Breeches in conduct on the part of test administrators or other staff related to the testing event must be reported immediately to the Office of Research, Evaluation and Assessment at 873-6601.

Test to be Administered• Retired ACT as a pre-test to gather

baseline data for instructional purposes.

Testing Period• Wednesday, January 17, 2007—

Testing will take between 3-5 hours to administer.

Students to be Tested• All Grade 11 students who are scheduled

to take the spring Michigan Merit Examination (MME).

Materials Required• The MME Support Initiative Coordinator

assigned to schools will provide all testing materials.

• Schools need only supply sharpened

number 2 pencils and “Testing—Do Not Disturb” signs.

Arrangements for MME Support Initiative and Pre-Testing

• Test Coordinators, Data Specialists or the principals’ designee should coordinate all MME Support Initiative activities with the provider assigned to the school.

• Schools must determine the most appropriate setting for the administration of the pre-test.

• Options include in-class administration of the pre-test, or large group testing if an area in the school is conducive to a proper testing environment.

Arrangements for MME Support Initiative and Pre-Testing

School staff assigned to coordinateactivities with the MME Support

Initiativeprovider should arrange to do thefollowing.

• Administration of the pre-test

Arrangements for MME Support Initiative and Pre-Testing

• Assignment of special instructors to each English 6 class.

• Special Instructors will provide sessions twice weekly in each English 6 class. Sessions will begin the week of January 22, 2007.

• Special instructors will be provided by Cambridge Educational Services, Kaplan and Exam Experts. (Please refer to the MME Support Initiative schedule included in the TEST MEMO.)

Arrangements for MME Support Initiative and Pre-Testing

• Monitor the delivery of pre-test results, progress reports and instructional prescriptions.

Arrangements for MME Support Initiative and Pre-Testing

• Submit an MME Support Initiative schedule not later than Wednesday, January 31, 2007.

• The schedule should include the name of the teacher, the name of the MME Support Initiative provider assigned to each class, the days/times the sessions are provided and the number of students scheduled for each English 6 class.

• All schedules are to be fax to the Office of Research, Evaluation and Assessment—873-6446.

Arrangements for MME Support Initiative and Pre-Testing

• Monitor the progress of the initiative and report any irregularities to the principal.

• Principals should report these irregularities to the Office of Research, Evaluation and Assessment upon receipt of the information.

Arrangements for MME Support Initiative and Pre-Testing

• Advise the regular English 6 teacher that he/she must remain in the classroom during each session to provide support for the guest instructor.

Arrangements for MME Support Initiative and Pre-Testing

• Convene a meeting of all Grade 11 students and their teachers to share information regarding the MME Support Initiative and the procedures that will be implemented.

• Please note that although the initiative will be delivered via the English 6 class, instruction will be offered in all content areas covered by the Michigan Merit Examination.

Arrangements for MME Support Initiative and Pre-Testing

• Advise students of the opportunity to receive benefit of a free, online test preparation tool for the Michigan Merit Examination provided by the Michigan Virtual High School.

• Students should be encouraged to visit the free website and participate in the online prep course offered.

• If possible, please arrange for students to

access this website from school, advise them of access opportunities provided by the Detroit Public Library and encourage those who have access from home to take advantage of this free service.

MME Support Initiative School and Provider Assignments

•Cambridge Educational

Services

• Cody High School• Cooley High School• Ford High School• Millennium • Redford High School• Denby High School• Finney High School• Southeastern High School• Trombly Alternative High

School• Cass Technical High

School• King High School• Ferguson Academy for

Young Women

MME Support Initiative School and Provider Assignments

•Exam Experts

• Central High School• Crockett High School• Crosman High School• Kettering High School• Northern High School• Communication & Media

Arts • Davis Aerospace High

School• Detroit High School for

Technology• Osborn High School• Pershing High School• Chadsey High School• Detroit City High School• Detroit School of Arts

MME Support Initiative School and Provider Assignments

•KaplanK-12 Learning

Services

• Mackenzie High School• Mumford High School• Murray-Wright High School• Northwestern High School• Renaissance High School• Southwestern High School• West Side Academy Alt.

Ed• Western International High

School• Barsamian Preparatory

Center• Boykin Continuing Ed.

Center• Douglass Academy• Detroit International

Academy

Additional Support

• An additional component to be included in this initiative is teacher collaboration during the Wednesday staff meetings.

• Grade 11 English and Social Studies teachers should be encouraged to collaborate with focus on instructional strategies for the following areas.

Additional Support

• Persuasive writing• Counterarguments• The testing rubrics• ELA and Social Studies

formats• Core Democratic Values

Additional Support

• An important resource for use during these meetings is the “Writing on Demand—Best Practices and Strategies for Success.”

• Each Grade 11 English teacher has participated in training related to this tool and possess a teacher and student copy of the text.

The Division of Curriculum and Instruction is very pleased to offer

this initiative on a scale that is unprecedented for the district.

It is our intention to provide the support required for the smooth implementation of this program.

Michigan Merit Examination Support Initiative

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